As a Democratic congressman in the House of Representatives, William Jennings Bryan delivered a speech against tariffs, urging reform and the removal of those on wool and twine. His eloquence and his class-conscious view on tariffs attracted the attention of many, and Bryan became one of the Democratic Party's most popular orators. Furthermore, Bryan spoke in support of the free coinage of silver, which was a significant political issue of the time and caused Bryan to become closer to the Populists. After Grover Cleveland won the election of 1892 against Ben Harrison and James Weaver, the Panic of 1893 struck the United States, causing Cleveland to call for the repeal of the Sherman Act. As a result, Bryan spoke in opposition to Cleveland, delivering another stirring speech in the House against the repeal. Though Bryan's speech was exalted by pro-silver papers, Bryan's remarkable rhetoric caused his opponents to claim that a good performer was all that he was. Bryan later became editor of the Omaha World-Herald and decided to run for the higher position of senator, fighting for a graduated income tax, federal insurance, and right to join unions and strike. Although the Bryan-influenced alliance between Democrats and Populists succeeded in electing a governor in Nebraska, Bryan was not elected in the election of 1894 and Republicans regained the majority. Despite his loss, Bryan's supporters suggested the idea of running Bryan for president.
Key Terms
"Reed rules"
Crime of '73
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Grover Cleveland
James Weaver
Hazen Pingree
Jacob Coxey
American Protective Association
stalwarts
Questions
How did the "Reed rules" in the house boost "the value of an individual congressman such as Bryan"?
How did Bryan's reputation made out by his opponents affect his later political and religious campaigns?
What does Bryan's response to his wife's concerns reveal about Bryan's character and ambition?
Who mainly makes up Bryan's supporters?
What is the extent of the connection and relationship between the Populists and Bryan's insurgent Democrats?
Purdy, J.E. William Jennings Bryan. Digital Image. from Wikimedia Commons. c.1902. Accessed March 7, 2015. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WilliamJBryan1902.png
Kazin, Michael. "Speaker in the House." In A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan, 29-44. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment