"Cross of Gold" Speech - Primary Source Analysis

The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In the address, Bryan supported bimetallism or "free silver", which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. The "Cross of Gold" speech refers to a famous address given by William Jennings Bryan, an American politician and lawyer, during the 1896 Democratic National Convention.

Bryan was a prominent figure in the Populist Movement and the Democratic Party's nominee for the presidency in that year's election. The speech is called the "Cross of Gold" because of Bryan's impassioned plea for the coinage of silver and his use of biblical references. The "Cross of Gold" speech is considered one of the most influential speeches in American political history. While Bryan did not win the 1896 election, his speech captured the attention of the nation and helped shape the debates around monetary policy and economic reform during that era. The speech reflects the concerns and aspirations of the Populist Movement and the desire for economic justice and equality in a rapidly changing industrial society.

In this product, students look at 5 key excerpts from the speech. The students are asked to explain the significance of the excerpts. This product includes a teacher key and some background information about William Jennings Bryan and his famous speech. Lastly, I have included three comprehension/discussion questions.