Question

What was the occasion for which William Jennings Bryan gave his Cross of Gold speech?

The 1896 inaugural ceremony for William McKinley
The outbreak of the Spanish-American War
The 1896 Democratic National Convention
The successful U.S. acquisition of Hawaii

How many times was William Jennings Bryan a candidate for U.S. president?
One
Three
Two
Four

What was the central argument in William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech?
The use of silver instead of gold for currency
He argued that the U.S. should avoid fighting in the First World War
He argued for U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War
The use of tighter restrictions for immigration

Answer 1

The correct answer for the first question is:

C. The 1896 Democratic National Convention.

William Jennings Bryan gave his Cross of Gold speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention. The speech was a pivotal moment in his political career and in American politics. In the speech, Bryan argued for the adoption of the silver standard and criticized the gold standard, advocating for policies that would benefit farmers and laborers. The speech resonated with many delegates at the convention and helped Bryan secure the Democratic nomination for president.

The correct answer for the second question is:

Two.

William Jennings Bryan was a candidate for U.S. president two times. He first ran as the Democratic nominee in the 1896 presidential election, where he delivered his famous Cross of Gold speech. He then ran again as the Democratic nominee in the 1900 presidential election but was unsuccessful in both attempts.

The correct answer for the third question is:

The use of silver instead of gold for currency.

The central argument in William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech was the use of silver instead of gold for currency. Bryan advocated for the free coinage of silver, arguing that it would help alleviate economic hardships faced by farmers and laborers. He believed that a bimetallic standard, with both gold and silver as currency, would provide more flexibility and stability to the economy. The speech made Bryan a prominent figure in the Populist movement and solidified his support among those who felt marginalized by the gold standard.