William Jennings Bryan
Definition
William Jennings Bryan was a prominent American politician from the Democratic Party in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He ran for president three times and is known for his "Cross of Gold" speech advocating bimetallism.
Analogy
Think of Bryan as a popular high school athlete who keeps trying out for team captain every year. Even though he doesn't get elected, he's still remembered for his passionate speeches about how to improve the team (in this case, America).
Related terms
Cross of Gold Speech: A famous speech given by Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention where he advocated for bimetallism.
Progressive Era: A period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States that spanned from the 1890s to the 1920s. Bryan was a key figure during this era.
Free Silver Movement: An economic policy movement in late-19th-century America that advocated for unlimited coinage of silver. This was one of Bryan's main platforms during his presidential campaigns.
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