Expansion and Reform — Test

Question 24 • US History Studies Since 1877

How could William Jennings Bryan oppose the gold standard and also support bimetallism?

Answer

Bimetallism called for a fixed value for gold, which was the opposite of the gold standard.

Bryan spoke in favor of the gold standard when addressing the wealthy and in favor of bimetallism when speaking to the poor.

Bryan took each position at a different point in his career, with his support for bimetallism coming later in life.

Bryan opposed the idea of a fixed value for gold while supporting the concept of a currency based on two metals.

Explanation

The gold standard tied the value of U.S. currency to gold alone. Bimetallism meant basing currency on both gold and silver, rather than relying on gold alone. Bryan could therefore oppose the gold standard while supporting a two-metal currency system; choice D describes this distinction.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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