USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The central issue was the country’s money supply. An economic depression had begun in 1893, and public opinion-and even the Democratic Party-was split between those who favoured the gold standard and those who favoured free silver, a type of currency inflation, to help alleviate the depression.

Detailed explanation-2: -Economic issues, especially tariff policy and the question of whether the gold standard should be preserved for the money supply, were central issues.

Detailed explanation-3: -Bryan wanted the United States to use silver to back the dollar at a value that would inflate the prices farmers received for their crops, easing their debt burden. This position was known as the Free Silver Movement.

Detailed explanation-4: -After the 1896 presidential election, the Populist Party suffered a nationwide collapse. The party nominated presidential candidates in the three presidential elections after 1896, but none came close to matching Weaver’s performance in 1892. Former Populists became inactive or joined other parties.

Detailed explanation-5: -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 his address, Bryan supported “free silver” (i.e. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity.