CLEP US History II Practice Test

William Jennings Bryan is most famous for his "Cross of Gold" speech, delivered at the Democratic National Convention in 1896. This speech passionately advocated for the free coinage of silver and criticized the gold standard, which he argued was harming farmers and the working class by limiting the money supply and causing deflation. Bryan framed the issue in moral and religious terms, declaring that the gold standard represented an undue burden on the masses, while silver coinage would aid ordinary people by increasing the amount of money in circulation. This speech was pivotal in establishing Bryan as a leading figure in the Populist movement and the Democratic Party during that period. It also highlighted the deep economic divides in American society at the time, as the debate over the gold standard versus bimetallism was central to the political discourse of the late 19th century. Bryan’s oratory was effective in captivating his audience and remains one of the most memorable moments in American political history.