The 1896 Cross of Gold Speech That Defined Populist Economics

In 1896, William Jennings Bryan delivered one of the most famous political speeches in American history: the 'Cross of Gold' speech. But beyond the rhetoric, his campaign represented a profound economic debate between gold and silver standards that pitted farmers and debtors against Eastern banks and industrialists. This episode of The Economic History Podcast breaks down the economics behind bimetallism: why farmers wanted silver, why the gold standard crushed agricultural prices, and how the 1896 election shaped U.S. monetary policy for decades. Lucas and Luna explore the real economic forces — falling crop prices, railroad monopolies, and a fixed money supply — that made Bryan's message resonate with millions, even as he lost the election. They also examine how the gold standard eventually fell in 1971, proving Bryan's critique had long-term validity. If you've ever wondered why populist movements demand monetary reform, this episode explains the original blueprint. #CrossOfGold #WilliamJenningsBryan #Bimetallism #GoldStandard #SilverStandard #PopulistEconomics #1896Election #MonetaryPolicy #AmericanHistory #FarmersRevolt #FreeSilver #EconomicHistory #McKinley #Deflation #MoneySupply #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo