William+Jennings+Bryan+-+F08

William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860-July 26, 1925) Populist/Democratic Party

__//**Background Information:**//__

- Devout Protestant - Educated at Illinois College in Jacksonville, and then studied law at Union Law School in Chicago - Practiced law in Jacksonville for several years, before finally deciding to move to Nebraska - Had a fancy for public speaking, which was one of his greatest assets in future years - Heralded for his "cross of gold" speech - Was a candidate for the Democratic Party, as well as the Populist Party in the 1896 Election - Was a strong promoter of bimetallism and free silver - Served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson - Fought for the "common man"


 * __//Views on Imperialism//__//__:__//**

- Was against the U.S. annexing the Phillipines into the Union - Supported a peace treaty, and hoped that a speedy conclusion to the war would provide Filipinos their independence - Against the Republican administration's imperialistic policy - Believed that annexation would deny the Filipinos of what America 100+ years earlier had fought for with Britain - Believed that the Republican platform on a larger scale condemned the principles preached by Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson - The conquering of the Phillipines would help the rich in America, but greatly hurt the farmer and laboring worker; by bringing expenditure without return and risk without reward


 * //__References:__//**

Mark Twain and Samuel Gompers

//__Primary Sources:__//

William Jennings Bryan " The Cross of Gold," //Annals of American History.//  [Accessed November 13, 2008].

//Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention Held in Kansas City, Mo., July 4, 5, and 6, 1900//, Chicago, 1900, pp. 205–227.Be

William Jennings Bryan " The Paralyzing Influence of Imperialism," //Annals of American History.//  [Accessed November 13, 2008].

//__Secondary Sources:__// Edwards, Rebecca. "William Jennings Bryan." __1896: William Jennings Bryan__. 2000. 13 Nov. 2008 .

"Politics and Public Service." __William Jennings Bryan__. Travel and History. 13 Nov. 2008 .