Vladimir Puskovitch

10/28/23

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1. In speaking for the West to the business leaders of the east coast, what is Bryan suggesting
about the American economy? How should the political system respond?

Bryan is suggesting that the American economy benefits greatly from the same people
who do not have a say in the political system nor benefit from their labor in an appropri-
ate manner. In this speech, Bryan is making the strife of these people known, and is ex-
posing the unfairness of the current system. With this, the political system should respond
by giving these workers more of a say within in the system, and Bryan is an example of
this as a Populist representative.

2. Gilded Age America had been dominated by the business class men such as Carnegie and
Morgan. Who makes up the “broader class of businessmen” for whom Bryan claims to
speak?

When he discusses the “broader class of businessmen” Bryan is speaking of the laborers
of businesses and other facets of production who are often forgotten or disregarded com-
pared to their more recognized and successful counterparts. He specifically mentions
business workers, small town attorneys, local merchants, farmers, and miners, but it goes
beyond this, speaking more of those who do not reap the large benefits of production.

3. In the most famous line from the speech, Bryan said “You shall not press down upon the
brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”
What does he mean? How would his audience have understood the reference?

With this metaphor, Bryan is arguing that the gold standard harms those at the bottom of
the hierarchy of production, the workers and laborers. Also, he is saying how the gold
standard should not be forced upon America just because of it being used overseas, rather
it should be replaced with bimetallism. His audience would have understood this refer-
ence because of its biblical connection, which hopefully would resonate with the people
talked about in the speech.