vcczar Posted Tuesday at 07:09 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 07:09 PM WJ Bryan (NE-D) is easily the most influential Democrat between Cleveland and Wilson. Bryan began his career as a reformist supporter of Cleveland. He foreshadows Wilson and FDR in his domestic policies, but he deviated from them in foreign policy. Both Bryan and Wilson, though Progressives, were undoubtably racist, while being socially liberal elsewhere--women's rights, wage workers rights, poor farmers rights, etc. Much of what Bryan advocated became law under FDR and much of what he advocated was also adopted by TR, especially in 1912. His endorsements on two issues (prohibition and women's suffrage) led to two amendments within 10 years. Bryan's major weakness as a candidate was his advocacy for free silver, a cause wildly popular West of the Mississippi, but the population and power of the nation was concentrated in the East, which strongly supported the Gold Standard. Since the parties were coalitions and not ideological parties, he also had to compete with GOP progressives. He was basically an ideological nominee in a time of coalition, which was a losing ingredient. FDR would be the first to foresee two ideological parties, as he wanted to purge Conservatives and create a Progressive Party, believing that progressivism would generally win over conservatism. His actions: Bryan, William Jennings 1891 new spokesman for farmers Bryan, William Jennings 1892 Supports Populist Pres nom Weaver over Dem nom Cleveland Bryan, William Jennings 1893 major speech against Silver Purchase Act repeal Bryan, William Jennings 1893 Attempts to pass an income tax Bryan, William Jennings 1894 A leader in the new Democratic Party under populist majority Bryan, William Jennings 1896 Cross of Gold Speech Bryan, William Jennings 1896 Dem nominee for pres at age 36, the youngest nominee of a major party ever Bryan, William Jennings 1896 Basically invents the national stumping tour (modern presidential campaigning) Bryan, William Jennings 1898 A leading opponent of US imperialism amid war, although favoring war for Cuban independence from Spain Bryan, William Jennings 1898 Despite criticism of war, raises a regiment for the war, but it stays stationed in FL Bryan, William Jennings 1898 Reluctantly supports Treaty of Paris, if only to end the war, but presses for immediate Philippines independence Bryan, William Jennings 1900 Dem Pres Nominee again Bryan, William Jennings 1901 Criticizes Roosevelt for inviting a black man (Booker T Washington) to the White House Bryan, William Jennings 1904 Declines to run for pres, as his wing of the party had lost power Bryan, William Jennings 1906 His wing regains control of Democrats after Parker's landslide defeat in 1904 Bryan, William Jennings 1908 Dem Pres Nominee for the 3rd time Bryan, William Jennings 1908 Wins the first ever endorsement made by the American Federation of Labor Bryan, William Jennings 1909 Comes out publicly in favor of Prohibition, pushing the US towards an Amendment Bryan, William Jennings 1910 Comes out publicly in favor of women's suffrage, pushing the US towards an Amendment Bryan, William Jennings 1910 Gives major speech in Congress arguing for tariff reduction Bryan, William Jennings 1910 Calls for federal initiative and referendum during speaking tour; denies he's making run for pres in 1912 Bryan, William Jennings 1912 Gives crucial endorsement to Wilson at 1912 Convention over Champ Clark Bryan, William Jennings 1913 Plays key role in building Wilson's cabinet Bryan, William Jennings 1913 Confirmed Sec of State for Wilson Bryan, William Jennings 1914 Negotiates Bryan-Chamorro Treaty, making Nicaragua a protectorate, protecting canal Bryan, William Jennings 1915 Resigns as Sec of State in protest of Wilson's pro-war shift Bryan, William Jennings 1916 Rejects Prohibition Party nomination; backs Wilson at Dem Conv despite For Policy rift Bryan, William Jennings 1917 Wilson rejects his offer to fight in the war Bryan, William Jennings 1919 Comes out in favor of Wilson's Post-War plans (League of Nations, etc) Bryan, William Jennings 1920? Calls for a living wage and gender discrimination Bryan, William Jennings 1920 Rejects Prohibition Party nomination but also doesn't campaign for Dem nom Cox Bryan, William Jennings 1924 Helps defeat resolution condeming the KKK at Dem Conv; sees his brother nominated VP Bryan, William Jennings 1925 Notably opposes evolution during Scopes Trial; dies soon after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted Tuesday at 07:12 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 07:12 PM This is a very, very reluctant favorable. He's racist and an imbecile on evolution. He's too theocratic. However, aside from his stance on silver, he was generally ahead of his time on major issues. Without Bryan, I don't think you get a liberal Democratic Party from FDR on. Fortunately, that liberalism spread to liberalism on civil rights as well. I'd say I'm 55% supportive of him and 45% opposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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