"Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interes
ts, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: 'You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." Based on this speech, what did Bryan demand in his subsequent campaign for the Presidency?
A. The acquisition of colonies to increase employment opportunities.
B. The creation of a national park system to protect the nation's wildlife.
C. A policy of bimetallism that would help farmers by increasing inflation and raising crop prices.
D. Higher tariffs to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition.
C. A policy of bimetallism that would help farmers by increasing inflation and raising crop prices.
William Jennings Bryan supported bimetallism meaning a standard for US currency based on gold and silver. There was more silver available than gold which would have allowed for the creation of more currency and create inflation. In doing so, farmers would have more currency to pay for their loans because prices for farm goods would go up.
The goal of bimetallism was introduced by Populist Party. To gain the support of the Populist Party and to have a fighting chance at winning, the Democratic Party took bimetallism as a political goal for the 1896 election. Bryan's Cross of Gold speech is one of his most famous and explains the reasoning for adding silver to the currency standard of the US and how it could help American workers and farmers.
