Urban and Social Reforms

Question 14 • MO-US History II A

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

Answer

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

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 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 currency to gold alone. Bimetallism proposed using both gold and silver as the basis for currency, so Bryan could oppose a gold-only system while supporting a two-metal system. Choice D describes this distinction.

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