University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Mc Kinley: The Campaign and Election of 1896
Read about the campaign of 1896 in which William McKinley represented the Republican Party and William Jennings Bryan the Democratic Party. One big issue was the contrast between the use of the gold standard as opppsed to free silver.
Charles I. Kelly and Lawrence E. Kelly
American History: Election of 1896: It Came Down to a Question of Money
This program, part of The Making of a Nation from Voice of America gives a very good description of the issues in the presidential campaign of 1896. Learn about the differences between the gold bugs and silverites, a third party...
PBS
Nova Online: History of Money
A timeline of money from 9000 B.C. to the present day that explains the types of money being used at various times in history.
Federal Reserve Bank
Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco: American Currency Exhibit: Metal Standards
This site provides information about the expansion of the United States Currency, with links to other related sources.
Other
Myth: The Gold Standard Is a Better Monetary System
Discusses the gold standard and the history of monetary systems.
San Jose State University
San Jose State University: The Depression of 1873 1879
A brief explanation of the economic factors that led to the Panic of 1873 when the railroad investment firm, Jay Cooke and Co., collapsed, followed by the demise of many other railroads over the next several years.
Other
The Classical Gold Standard, 1815 1914
Discusses the classical gold standard of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: The Great Depression Begins 1929
An overview of the Great Depression and its causes.