The Cross of Gold Speech: William Jennings Bryan’s Address on Imperialism

William Jennings Bryan presented his speech to a large crowd on August 8, 1900. A topic he felt passionately about, he addressed the crowd about his views on imperialism, with the speech "Imperialism". Many may argue whether or not this speech is propaganda or persuasion and it can be hard to pinpoint which it truly is. I believe that William Jenning Bryan's Imperialism speech is not propaganda but rather, a persuasive speech. It was difficult to come up with this evaluation but because of numerous reasons, I have deemed it to be persuasive. I believe it's relevant to today because Bryan was speaking out during times of trouble for America and working on the premises of what could be done to fix things and save the country from imperialism. Presidential candidates still, to this day, run and promote themselves as the right person to fix and change America for the better.

William Jennings Bryan, a political figure in the 1900s, was a populist in the Democratic Party. He was an educated man, attending college in Illinois and Law school in Chicago. He eventually moved to Nebraska where his political career began. Bryan was a congressman, being elected twice, and was influential in many aspects due to his involvement in free silver, high protective tariffs, his anti-Darwinism beliefs, and his infamous Cross of Gold speech. After running for presidency twice and being defeated both times, he eventually became Secretary of State during Woodrow Wilson's presidency beginning in 1912. Bryan later resigned because of "protest over 'war preparedness' as Wilson carried the nation into World War 1." (Rebecca Edwards).

He delivered his imperialism speech on August 8, 1900. However, this speech was not a memorized speech, but a written one that was read from notes. In the beginning of his speech he asks for the audience's indulgence while he read his speech from paper. He explains that he does this because then he will be able to read mass audiences "for it is a thousand times as numerous as any crowd that could assemble here."

Order custom essay The Cross of Gold Speech: William Jennings Bryan’s Address on Imperialism with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

To understand why William Jennings Bryan wrote and presented this speech, we have to understand more about the premises of it. This speech came about after the Spanish-American War (1898), which Bryan served as a colonel in a Nebraska regiment in. Although throughout the war, Bryan lent his services to McKinley, offering to help out where it was needed, after the war ended his mind quickly changed, deeming McKinley's Philippine policy as Imperialistic. After being nominated by the democrats one more in 1900, History.com states that "Bryan hoped to make the election a referendum on imperialism."

An important section to begin reading in Bryan's speech starts in section 104-106. I feel that this one of the more precise moments where he conveys what he is trying to tell his audiences. He first states the argument of the opposing side which reads as, "The argument made by some that is was unfortunate for the nation that it had anything to do with the Philippine islands, but that the naval victory at Manila made the permanent acquisition of those islands necessary, is also unsound." He goes on to discuss our naval victory at Santiago, and states "but that did not compel us to hold Cuba" In section 105, he explains how American bloodshed happened at many other places besides the Philippine islands and that it doesn't make it necessary that we retain possession of places forever based on bloodshed.

I believe that for this specific argument Bryan makes, he provides evidence to support his claims. He used the mere fact that Cuba was promised independence from the president, yet there was American bloodshed in San Juan Hill and El Caney. He makes a good point here in stating that there seems to be an unfairness in the policies of the president.

Bryan then goes on to discuss what his plans are, if he were to be elected President. He plans on convening congress to declare the nation's purpose immediately and following that he states that he plans to give the Philippines everything that the United states had previously given and promised to Cuba as well; stable government, independence, and protection.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer