If you recognize this name, do you associate it with only one thing? or several?
Do you have positive or negative impressions, or both?
2006-11-04 14:36:48 · 3 answers · asked by bfrank 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
41st United States Secretary of State
In the 1920s, he was a strong supporter of Prohibition, but is probably best known today for his crusade against Darwinism, which culminated in the Scopes Trial in 1925.
Bryan was one of the most energetic campaigners in American history, inventing the national stumping tour for presidential candidates.
He was called "The Great Commoner" because of his total faith in the goodness and rightness of the common people.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/William_Jennings_Bryan.JPG/200px-William_Jennings_Bryan.JPG
If you saw the movie "Inherit the Wind" you would probably have a somewhat negative impression of him.
He lost that trial, because he was somewhat narrow minded, and the other attorney presented a very good case for believing in evolution and creation BOTH.
He was a great statesman who stood up for what he believed.
I♥♫→mia☼☺†
2006-11-04 14:47:04 · answer #1 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was one of the great spoilers of American politics. He was most famous for 'free silver' and bimetallism, which, if adopted, would have bankrupted the US.
He was thrice the Democratic nominee for President. He served a little more than two years as Woodrow Wilson's Secrety of State. He strongly supported prohibition.
He was guest prosecutor at the Scopes Monkey Trial, where Clarence Darrow humiliated him.
Scopes trial:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_Trial
He was one of the great orators in American history. His "Cross of Gold" speech is frankly one of the high points in American oratory in general, notwithstanding its content; the most famous line is "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."
Speech:
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Cross_of_Gold_Speech
Wikipedia bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jennings_Bryan
2006-11-05 13:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was the prosecutor in the Scopes Monkey Trial and he ran for President several times. That's all I know about him.
I don't have a strong impression of him but I guess it would be more negative than neutral.
2006-11-04 22:39:50 · answer #3 · answered by imnogeniusbutt 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋