Which platform issue would have appealed most to a supporter of William Jennings Bryan in the Election of 1896?

Which platform issue would have appealed most to a supporter of William Jennings Bryan in the Election of 1896?

• A. Gold standard
• B. High protective tariffs
• C. Bimetallism
• D. Laissez-faire economics

Answer: (C)

Bimetallism—the idea of backing currency with both gold and silver—would appeal most to Bryan supporters. His movement pressed for free coinage of silver to expand the money supply, which would raise prices for crops and goods and relieve the debt burden carried by farmers and workers in the 1890s. This inflationary approach contrasted with the gold standard, which kept money scarce and creditors favored. The focus on expanding monetary options through silver coinage is exactly what Bryan championed, making this stance the strongest match for his base. The other ideas don’t fit as well with Bryan’s appeal. A gold standard would keep the currency tight and worsen debtors’ troubles, which is opposite to Bryan’s aims. High protective tariffs align more with industrial and business interests that Bryan’s populist coalition opposed. Laissez-faire economics is a broad principle about minimal government intervention and doesn’t capture the specific remedy Bryan urged for farmers and laborers through currency reform.

Bimetallism—the idea of backing currency with both gold and silver—would appeal most to Bryan supporters. His movement pressed for free coinage of silver to expand the money supply, which would raise prices for crops and goods and relieve the debt burden carried by farmers and workers in the 1890s. This inflationary approach contrasted with the gold standard, which kept money scarce and creditors favored. The focus on expanding monetary options through silver coinage is exactly what Bryan championed, making this stance the strongest match for his base.

The other ideas don’t fit as well with Bryan’s appeal. A gold standard would keep the currency tight and worsen debtors’ troubles, which is opposite to Bryan’s aims. High protective tariffs align more with industrial and business interests that Bryan’s populist coalition opposed. Laissez-faire economics is a broad principle about minimal government intervention and doesn’t capture the specific remedy Bryan urged for farmers and laborers through currency reform.