Sydney Quinn
History 18 – T/TR 9:10
29 February 2016
The close of the 19th century and transition into the 20th brought about many challenges for the American people. The failing economy and the development of imperialism in other nations created leaders who defended their ideologies, no matter how incorrect, in clever and persuasive ways. Leaders during this time period dealt with the crises of modernity by painting themselves as “the good guys”.
In order to address the issues of modernity, William Jennings Bryan of the Populist Party strode to appeal to the masses through claiming that he had the to the holy grail solution to the depression: the free coinage of silver. He promised that his plan to allow silver to remain in circulation would restore the economy by allowing more trade activity. Jennings did …show more content…
In these speeches, he makes overly generalized appeals in hopes of drawing in as many people as possible. Jennings’s famous “Cross of Gold” argues that he is the voice of the people and that his followers are “crusaders” who “speak… in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty--the cause of humanity.” When he addresses the concerns of the farmers who feel overlooked by their government as their industry fails, Jennings preys on their desperation and gives Southerners false hope. Jennings coped with the issues facing this time by over-simplifying the problem at hand, the depression, and by proclaiming himself to be the savior of the American people.

Leaders of American foreign policy towards the end of the 1800’s attempted to expand U.S. Territory. One of the main reasons for this was that American leaders considered it their duty to foster a democratic