During 1893, the United States had suffered a serious economic depression known as the Panic of 1893. The economic panic had been caused by the overbuilding and over financing railroads, developing bank failures. These investments on the railroads had led to serious debates in Congress to attempt to improve the financial situation. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan had delivered a speech known as the Cross of Gold, supporting the “Free Silver” and bimetallism. Bryan’s audience reaction varied greatly, from hating Bryan to supporting Bryan for president. The speech had illuminated several important topics, agrarian support, and the election of 1986.
Bryan’s Cross of Gold touches on several topics. Manifest Destiny, it is destiny for the United States are to spread throughout the continent and make it agrarian. Misunderstanding, the North believes that the South is disturbing their business interest, however the South’s business interests are being disrupted by the ever changing prices in crops. Unity, …show more content…
Bryan had received popularity, due to his speech. Farmers supported the speech because they would benefit from the idea of “Free Silver”. Farmers would not have to change their currency, if gold is not introduced in the national currency. Another reason why farmers supported Bryan is that, Bryan had expressed the importance of farmers. The Cross of Gold speech had revealed that businessmen are dependented to farmers and how farmers made the United States. Bryan also had received legislative support. In the House, Bryan was elected to run for president by the Democratic party in 1896. Republicans responded to Bryan’s growing popularity by opposing Bryan against the election of