William Jennings Bryan: The Great Commoner’s Legacy

​William Jennings Bryan, often called "The Great Commoner," was a prominent American politician, orator, and lawyer who left an indelible mark on U.S. politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His influence extended far beyond his three unsuccessful bids for the presidency, shaping the progressive movement and championing populist causes that would resonate for decades to come. William Jennings Bryan's ideas and political stances have exciting parallels and contrasts with modern political movements.

William Jennings Bryan in His Youth

Born on March 19, 1860, in Salem, Illinois, Bryan was raised in a devout Baptist family. His father, Silas Bryan, was a prominent local judge and politician, undoubtedly influencing young William's future career path. Bryan attended Illinois College, graduating as valedictorian in 1881. He studied law at Union Law College in Chicago, setting the stage for his future in law and politics.

After practicing law in Jacksonville, Illinois, Bryan moved to Nebraska in 1887, where he began his political career in earnest. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 1890 as a Democrat, serving two terms. During this time, Bryan established himself as a powerful orator and a champion of populist causes, particularly the free silver movement, which advocated for the unlimited coinage of silver to inflate the money supply and help debt-burdened farmers.
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Bryan's national prominence skyrocketed in 1896 when, at the age of thirty-six, he delivered his famous "Cross of Gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention. This electrifying oration, which concluded with the dramatic line, "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold," secured him the Democratic presidential nomination. The speech encapsulated Bryan's populist vision and opposition to the gold standard, which he believed favored Eastern banking interests over farmers and laborers.

William Jennings Bryan, Date Unknown

Bryan ran for president thrice – in 1896, 1900, and 1908 – each time as the Democratic nominee. Although he never won the presidency, his campaigns were notable for several reasons:

• In 1896, at 36, he became history's youngest major party presidential nominee.
• He was the first presidential candidate to campaign extensively in person, traveling over 18,000 miles and giving hundreds of speeches.
• His populist platform attracted support from the Populist Party, marking one of the few times a third party has endorsed a significant party's candidate.

​Despite his losses, Bryan's campaigns helped shift the Democratic Party towards a more progressive stance on economic and social issues.
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Bryan was a leading figure in the populist and progressive movements of his era. His political ideology contained several key elements:

• Economic Populism: He advocated for policies benefiting farmers and working-class Americans, such as the free silver policy and opposition to protective tariffs.
• Anti-Imperialism: Bryan strongly opposed American imperialism, particularly the annexation of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War.
• Trust-Busting: He supported efforts to break up large monopolies and regulate big business.
• Social Reforms: Bryan championed various progressive causes, including women's suffrage, prohibition, and labor rights.
• Religious Conservatism: A devout Christian, Bryan was known for his religious fervor, which sometimes put him at odds with scientific and social progressives.

William Jennings Bryan, 1908

In 1912, after supporting Woodrow Wilson's successful presidential campaign, Wilson appointed Bryan the Secretary of State. In this role, he worked to improve relations between the United States and Latin America. He negotiated several "cooling-off" treaties aimed at preventing wars. However, his pacifist views clashed with Wilson's policies as World War I approached, leading to Bryan's resignation in 1915.

One of the most famous episodes in Bryan's later life was his involvement in the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial. As a staunch creationist, Bryan volunteered to assist the prosecution in the case against John Scopes, a Tennessee teacher accused of illegally teaching evolution. The trial, which pitted Bryan against famous defense attorney Clarence Darrow, became a national sensation and a symbolic battle between traditionalism and modernism. Although the prosecution won, Bryan's performance under Darrow's cross-examination damaged the creationist cause.
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William Jennings Bryan died on July 26, 1925, just five days after the conclusion of the Scopes Trial. His legacy, however, continued to influence American politics and culture:

• Democratic Party Transformation: Bryan's campaigns helped shift the Democratic Party from its conservative, pro-business stance to a more progressive platform, paving the way for future progressive Democrats like Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Populist Influence: His populist rhetoric and championing of the "common man" against elite interests has echoed through American politics, influencing later politicians across the political spectrum.
• Campaign Innovation: Bryan's extensive personal campaigning set a new standard for how presidential candidates interact with voters.
• Progressive Reforms: Many reforms Bryan advocated, such as a progressive income tax, direct election of senators, and women's suffrage, were eventually enacted.
• Religious-Political Nexus: Bryan's blend of progressive politics and religious conservatism foreshadowed the complex relationship between religion and politics in 20th-century America.

 
William Jennings Bryan's ideas and political stances have exciting parallels and contrasts with modern political movements. Bryan's populism, which pitted the ordinary people against economic elites, resonates with several modern movements, including left-wing populism. Bernie Sanders' campaigns and the broader progressive movement often critique the "billionaire class" and corporate influence in politics, echoing Bryan's stance against moneyed interests. Conversely, Donald Trump's "drain the swamp" rhetoric and appeals to working-class voters resemble Bryan's approach with vastly different policy prescriptions.

William Jennings Bryan, 1908

Bryan's advocacy for farmers and workers has some parallels in current debates, including the push for a higher minimum wage and stronger labor protections, which aligns with Bryan's pro-worker stance. Modern concerns about income inequality and calls for progressive taxation echo Bryan's critiques of wealth concentration. However, Bryan's specific "free silver" policy doesn't have a direct modern equivalent. However, some see similarities in calls for unorthodox monetary policies like Modern Monetary Theory.

Bryan's anti-imperialist stance has some echoes in current politics. Both progressive Democrats and some America First Republicans advocate for a less interventionist foreign policy. Critiques of corporate-driven globalization sometimes mirror Bryan's concerns about imperialism serving business interests as opposed to the needs of the general population of the country.

Bryan's blend of progressive economics and religious conservatism is less common today. Still, some religious left movements combine progressive economic policies with faith-based advocacy. The broader role of religion in politics remains contentious, as seen in debates over issues like evolution in schools.

While Bryan's intense focus on agricultural issues is less prominent today, there are ongoing debates about farm subsidies, rural development, and the challenges faced by family farms vs. agribusiness.

Bryan's focus on monetary policy to solve economic problems has some modern parallels. Debates about Federal Reserve policies, cryptocurrency, and financial regulation often center on monetary issues, similar in general concept though entirely separate from Bryan's silver standard advocacy.

Bryan's support for the direct election of senators and other measures to increase democratic participation resembles several modern movements. Current calls for eliminating the Electoral College or expanding voting rights resemble Bryan's populist rhetoric.

Bryan's stance against monopolies and for business regulation finds echoes in calls from politicians like Elizabeth Warren for breaking up big tech companies. Of course, there are ongoing debates about corporate power and political influence, especially regarding environmentalism and climate change.

Bryan's powerful speeches and extensive campaigning set a template that's still relevant. The importance of charismatic communication in politics remains high, though the mediums have changed dramatically. Extensive personal campaigning, which Bryan pioneered, is now standard practice.
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In conclusion, while the specific issues have evolved, many of Bryan's core themes – populism, economic justice, democratic reform, and the tension between tradition and progress – continue to shape American political discourse. His unique blend of progressive economics and social conservatism doesn't map neatly onto today's political spectrum, reminding us of the complex history of American political ideologies.

William Jennings Bryan, 1925

William Jennings Bryan was a complex and sometimes contradictory figure in American history. A progressive champion of the ordinary people, he was also a religious conservative who resisted certain aspects of modernization. His oratorical skills, populist message, and tireless campaigning made him one of the most influential politicians of his era, even though he never achieved the presidency. Bryan's legacy continues to resonate in American politics as a reminder of the enduring appeal of populist rhetoric and the ongoing tension between tradition and progress in American society.
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One of the significant factors lost in the current political milieu is the progressive tradition in the upper Midwest of the United States. While many of those states have aligned with the Republican Party, a sizable portion of the population in those areas remains firmly progressive, and these remnants remain, most notably the progressive Democratic nominee, Tim Walz. It's conceivable the Democratic Party could resuscitate those traditions and reclaim the upper Midwest and Great Plains states.