Cato Institute
The Gold Standard: An Analysis of Some Recent Proposals
Summarizes specific and recent proposals set forth to return the U.S. to the gold standard. Includes detailed information on the gold "price rule," "classical" gold standard, and other important terms.
Curated OER
History Matters:"pitchfork Ben" Tillman Addresses the 1896 Democratic Convention
Ben Tillman, senator from South Carolina, gave a speech at the Democratic Convention in 1896, advocating for the free coinage of silver, the same issue addressed in a later speech by William Jennings Bryan. Read Tillman's speech here,...
Curated OER
History Matters: Senator David Bennett Hill Defends the Gold Standard
Read this speech given by Senator David Bennet Hill of New York at the Democratic Convention in 1896. A key issue in that convention was whether the United States should go back on the gold standard. This speech clearly shows that Hill...
Harp Week
Harp Week: The Presidential Elections: 1880 Garfield v. Hancock
Just getting candidates for president was a trial for both the Republicans and Democrats in the election of 1880. Read about the factions in each party, and the several hopefuls wishing for the nomination. Find out about the platforms of...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: William J Bryan Cross of Gold Speech July 8, 1896
Read William Jennings Bryan's speech delivered at the Democratic National Convention in 1896; it is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history.
Vassar College
Vassar College: Democratic Party Platform, July 9, 1896
This "1896, A Website for Political Cartoons" site provides text of the actual platform stating the Democratic stand on "The Money Question." of 1896.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: William Jennings Bryan "Cross of Gold" Speech
Read the famous Cross of Gold speech given by William Jennings Bryan, Democratic party presidential candidate in 1896. The party platform was against the establishment of the gold standard.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Legendary Coins and Currency
Archived images of coins from a beautiful online exhibition on the history of money.
Other
Earliest Voices William Taft
Hear historic voice recordings of Supreme Court Justice and President William Howard Taft on such issues as the gold standard, the right of labor, and the rise and progress of the American Negro. A biography and downloadable images...
Library of Economics and Liberty
Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: Great Depression
For upper level classes and abilities only. A very scholarly explanation of the causes of the Great Depression and steps Franklin Roosevelt to end it. An excellent source due to its thorough analysis and detail.
Northern Illinois University
Illinois in the Gilded Age: 1896: The Cross of Gold
This is a very informative look at the politics involved in the campaign of 1896 where one of the main issues was the conflict between the gold standard and free silver. Read about the results of the election and the defeat of Populist...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Gilded Age 1870 1900: Key Political Issues: Patronage, Tariffs, Gold
Political patronage was a big problem in the late 19th century and led to corruption within the government. This made it difficult to reform the civil service. Tariffs were another big issue and affected economic groups in different...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Rutherford Birchard Hayes: Domestic Affairs
An in-depth analysis of the domestic policies and problems that Rutherford B. Hayes faced as president. Read about the end of Reconstruction, Hayes' economic policy, his troubles with a Democratic majority in the Congress, and his...
Other
International Monetary Fund: Monetary Mania
Great interactive online trivia quiz that lets you test your knowledge of macroeconomics against two other fictional players. Pick your player and go!
Harp Week
Harp Week: Presidential Elections: 1908 Taft v. Bryan Overview
What a great resource this is. The four-page oveview of the campaign of 1908 begins with a review of the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Read about the nomination of William Howard Taft, Roosevelt's acolyte, sure to carry on the...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: u.s. History: The Populist Revolt
Looks at the unrest of farmers in the 1890s that led to the development of a new populist party called the People's Party. Explains the debate that raged around whether to adopt a gold or a silver standard, examines the election of 1896,...
Curated OER
History Matters: Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses
Contains the text of the "Cross of Gold" speech delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention. This brings up an important point of view in the free silver controversy in which America debated between the...
Auburn University
Auburn University: The "Costs" of a Gold Standard
Take a look at the cost involved in having a gold standard. If you need more information after reading this article, a list of references is provided.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: The Dismal Science: The Gold Bug Variations
This page provides access to the article, "The Gold Bug Variations: The gold standard-and the men who love it." In it, Paul Krugman discusses the relationship between the gold standard and monetary policy. (Nov. 22, 1996)
Robert Schenk, PhD
Money Matters: The Gold Standard
This site provides a great article that explains the gold standard and why it didn't work for the United States and many other nations.
Robert Schenk, PhD
Rules of the Game Gold Standard & Macroeconomic Policy
A basic description of the struggles with the gold standard of the late 19th century in the United States, and William Jennings Bryan's attempts to abandon this.
Vassar College
1896: The Republican Party
From the comprehensive Vassar College project about the politics of 1896, this article relates the state of the Republican Party in that year and its party platform for the election of 1896.
Other
Authentic History Center: The Election of 1896
Detailed description of the issues, politicians, and campaigns that were a part of the 1896 election in the United States. William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan and became President. Includes many primary sources.
Harp Week
Harp Week: The Cleveland Record
Grover Cleveland's second term in office was problematic, which affected the election of 1896. Read about the economic depression of 1893, the labor unrest, Coxey's army, and controversial Supreme Court decisions that were handed down...