17. Document Projects for Exploring American Histories, Document Project 17: The Meanings of Populism

**Quiz for Document 17.5: William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold Speech (1896)**

Quiz for Document 17.5: William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold Speech (1896)

Document 17.5: William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold Speech (1896)

Select the best answer for each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

Question 17.13

1. William Jennings Bryan compares the fight for free silver to which of the following?

The American Revolution

The Civil War

The fight over the Bank of the United States

The Panic of 1819

Question 17.14

2. Bryan begins his speech by saying, “Never before in the history of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we have passed.” To what contest is he referring?

The presidential election of 1896

The depression of 1893

The political fight over bimetallism

The Pullman strike

Question 17.15

3. How does Bryan respond to the criticism that the free and unlimited coinage of silver will disrupt “business interests”?

He argues that business is the cause of most of the social ills in the United States.

He argues that the opponents’ definition of business is too narrow.

He suggests that silver is the most utilized currency throughout the rest of the world.

He claims that the “great cities” in the United States do not rely on the gold standard.

Thinking through Sources forExploring American Histories, Volume 2Printed Page 137