Final answer:
William Jennings Bryan targeted farmers, silver miners, and advocates of bimetallism in his 1896 'Cross of Gold' speech. As a proponent of free silver, Bryan won the support of the Populist Party and represented a shift towards addressing the needs of the common man.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Jennings Bryan appealed to a diverse faction including farmers, silver miners, and advocates of bimetallism in his speech to the Democratic Convention, famously known as the "Cross of Gold" speech. Bryan, a dynamic congressman from Nebraska, was known for his support for the free silver movement, which called for the inclusion of silver in addition to gold in the monetary base to effectively increase the money supply and assist indebted farmers and laborers. He was charismatic and relatable to the common people, which helped him also garner support from the Populist Party who saw his views as closely aligned with theirs, despite the risk of losing their separate identity. His vigorous defense of agrarian interests and silver over the gold standard signified a shift in the Democratic Party, moving it towards a platform more in favor of the common man as opposed to big business and bankers, who were typically represented by the Republican Party of that era.