The excerpt below comes from a speech given by William Jennings Bryan in 1896:

"Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

Which statement explains Bryan's reason for giving this speech?

A. to convince non-union workers to join the Socialist Party

B. to convince Congress to pass a minimum wage law

C. to convince American businessmen to consider human rights as well as profits

D. to convince Americans to support the expansion of the money supply and use silver not only gold

The statement that best explains Bryan’s reason for giving the speech is to convince Americans to support the expansion of the money supply and use silver not only gold.

On July 8, 1896, William Jennings Bryan delivered the speech called “the Cross of Gold”, as part of the Democratic National Convention.

Moments of the speech such as “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this Crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”, were severe critics to the gold as the only form of currency. After the speech, he was nominated for the presidency.