Activity options 1. deliver bryan's "cross of gold" speech to your classmates. then discuss why you think this speech moved the democratic party to nominate bryan as its candidate for president.

William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech was important to emphasize how the currency of gold should not be used for the average person or farmer in the United States at the time in the late 1800s.  Rather, William Jennings Bryan believed that gold was only accessible and available to those of extreme wealth or money and not fair to those who were not able to afford gold.

Bryan emphasizes in his speech that silver is much more affordable for the average person and that they should not suffer in society and be punished because the government wants to accept gold as the currency standard instead of something that everyone can afford.  

Bryan uses a religious comparison of being crucified on a cross of gold as compared to the Bible.  His argument was extremely strong and resonated with a lot of average and common people, which is why he was chosen to represent the Democratic Party in 1896 against the Republican candidate William McKinley.

it proved indian land claims were unjustified.