Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > History > Modern History

Test Your Gilded Age Knowledge: Cross of Gold & Pullman Strike

Ready to explore the precipitating factor in the 1894 Pullman Strike and Bryan's Cross of Gold speech?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art Free Gilded Age quiz on sky blue background featuring Cross of Gold speech and Pullman Strike trigger themes.

Ready to journey back to America's Gilded Age with our Cross of Gold Speech Quiz: Ultimate Gilded Age Trivia? Discover how did william jennings bryan's cross of gold speech prove his vision for reform and the precipitating factor in the 1894 Pullman Strike was Pullman's wage cuts and rent hikes. Whether you're prepping for an American history trivia quiz or exploring our Gilded Age innovations quiz, this free challenge invites trivia buffs to test their mastery. Explore more background in our Gilded Age Quiz , then tackle the Pullman Strike of 1894 Quiz to see if you can score top marks. Dive in now and prove your expertise - your next victory awaits!

Who delivered the Cross of Gold speech?
Grover Cleveland
William McKinley
William Jennings Bryan
Theodore Roosevelt
William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous Cross of Gold speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention, propelling him to national prominence. His oratory on behalf of free silver became a landmark moment in American political rhetoric. Bryan's speech remains one of the most studied examples of persuasive political speaking. Britannica
In which year was the Cross of Gold speech delivered?
1896
1888
1892
1900
The Cross of Gold speech was delivered in 1896 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, just before the presidential election that year. It championed the cause of free silver amid a heated debate over monetary policy. Bryan's 1896 address remains one of the most iconic moments of the Gilded Age. History.com
In which city did Bryan deliver the Cross of Gold speech?
Chicago
Philadelphia
New York City
Boston
William Jennings Bryan delivered his Cross of Gold speech in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention held in the Chicago Coliseum. Chicago was a political and transport hub that symbolized America's economic tensions. The setting amplified the impact of his oration on free silver. Britannica
At which party's convention did Bryan give the Cross of Gold speech?
Progressive
Democratic
Populist
Republican
Bryan's Cross of Gold speech was delivered at the Democratic National Convention of 1896. It secured his nomination for president by appealing to the party's silver wing. The speech became a defining moment for Democrats advocating bimetallism. Britannica
Which monetary policy did Bryan advocate in his speech?
Deflationary austerity
Gold standard only
Free silver
Fiat currency without metal backing
In his Cross of Gold speech, Bryan championed free silver, calling for the unlimited coinage of silver to inflate the currency and relieve debtors. He argued this policy would counter deflation and benefit farmers and working Americans. Free silver was central to Populist and Democratic platforms in the 1896 campaign. History.com
What key phrase became synonymous with Bryan's address?
Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick
Cross of Gold
Fourteen Points
A Square Deal
The phrase "Cross of Gold" became emblematic of Bryan's defense of silver coinage over a strict gold standard. It referenced the crucifixion of mankind upon a cross of gold, a vivid metaphor against the gold standard's effects. This phrase immortalized the speech in American political history. Britannica
What nickname was William Jennings Bryan known by early in his career?
The Sage of Baltimore
The Great Communicator
The Boy Orator of the Platte
The Lone Star Orator
Bryan earned the nickname "The Boy Orator of the Platte" for his early speeches on free silver near the Platte River in Nebraska. His youthful energy and eloquence made this moniker stick. It reflected his appeal to rural and agrarian audiences. Britannica
Which president ordered federal troops to break the Pullman Strike?
Benjamin Harrison
William McKinley
Grover Cleveland
Theodore Roosevelt
President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops in July 1894 to suppress the Pullman Strike and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of mail and interstate commerce. His decision was controversial, highlighting tensions between labor and government. This intervention became a landmark in the history of federal involvement in labor disputes. Britannica
In what year did the Pullman Strike occur?
1900
1892
1896
1894
The Pullman Strike took place in 1894 when workers of the Pullman Company walked off their jobs after wage cuts. It escalated into a nationwide railroad boycott orchestrated by the American Railway Union. The strike underscored the growing power of organized labor in the Gilded Age. Britannica
Who led the American Railway Union during the Pullman Strike?
Samuel Gompers
Terence V. Powderly
John L. Lewis
Eugene V. Debs
Eugene V. Debs was the head of the American Railway Union (ARU) and spearheaded the boycott that expanded the Pullman Strike nationwide. Debs was later imprisoned for defying a federal injunction. He emerged as a key figure in the American labor movement. Britannica
Who founded the Pullman Company?
Cornelius Vanderbilt
James J. Hill
George Pullman
Leland Stanford
Industrialist George Pullman founded the Pullman Palace Car Company and built a company town near Chicago for his workers. His decision to cut wages without lowering rents sparked the Pullman Strike of 1894. Pullman's paternalistic approach to labor relations became controversial. Britannica
What was the immediate cause of the Pullman Strike?
National Railroad Merger
Increase in working hours
Company stock collapse
Wage cuts without rent reduction
The Pullman Company cut workers' wages by about 25% in 1894 but did not reduce rent or prices in the company-owned town. This imbalance of pay versus living costs triggered the strike and subsequent boycott. The resulting conflict became a defining labor struggle of the era. Britannica
Who won the 1896 presidential election, defeating Bryan?
William McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Benjamin Harrison
Grover Cleveland
Republican William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan in the 1896 election by supporting the gold standard and portraying Bryan as a radical. McKinley's victory marked a realignment toward pro-business and gold-standard policies. The election is often seen as a key moment in Gilded Age politics. Britannica
The Cross of Gold speech took place in which U.S. state?
Illinois
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
The speech was delivered at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois was a critical swing state in many late 19th-century elections and a hub for national politics. The location underscored the speech's importance in the 1896 campaign. Britannica
Which act, passed in 1878, required the purchase of silver by the U.S. government?
Bland-Allison Act
Gold Standard Act
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Coinage Act of 1873
The Bland-Allison Act of 1878 mandated that the U.S. Treasury purchase and coin a limited amount of silver each month. It was an early victory for free silver advocates before Bryan's 1896 campaign. The law reflected the ongoing debate between gold and silver interests. Britannica
Bryan served as a Congressman representing which state?
Missouri
Nebraska
Kansas
Ohio
William Jennings Bryan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska in 1890. His tenure in Congress gave him a platform to advocate free silver and other Populist causes. Nebraska's agrarian interests aligned with his political message. Britannica
What silver-to-gold ratio did Bryan propose in his speech?
16:1
8:1
32:1
1:1
Bryan advocated a silver-to-gold ratio of 16 to 1, meaning 16 ounces of silver would be equivalent to one ounce of gold in coinage. This ratio was intended to inflate the money supply and ease debt burdens. The 16:1 standard became a rallying cry for free silver supporters. Britannica
Which 1890 act significantly increased the federal purchase of silver?
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Bland-Allison Act
Gold Standard Act
Coinage Act of 1873
The Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 required the Treasury to buy nearly twice as much silver as under the Bland-Allison Act. It was a compromise measure that fell short for free silver activists and angered gold-standard proponents. Its partial repeal in 1893 fueled Bryan's 1896 free silver campaign. Britannica
Which third party endorsed Bryan's free silver platform in 1896?
Greenback Party
Populist Party
Socialist Party
Progressive Party
The Populist Party endorsed Bryan in 1896, fusing with Democrats over the free silver issue. This alliance highlighted the shared agrarian and labor interests of both groups. However, it also accelerated the Populists' absorption into the Democratic Party. Britannica
Who was William Jennings Bryan's running mate in the 1896 election?
Thomas Watson
Adlai Stevenson
Garret Hobart
Arthur Sewall
Arthur Sewall, a wealthy shipbuilder from Maine, was Bryan's vice-presidential nominee in 1896. Sewall was chosen to balance Bryan's populist appeal with business credentials. The ticket ultimately lost to McKinley and Hobart. Britannica
Who served as William McKinley's running mate in 1896?
Henry Cabot Lodge
Garret Hobart
Theodore Roosevelt
Thomas Reed
Garret A. Hobart, a New Jersey businessman and politician, was McKinley's vice-presidential candidate in 1896. Hobart's business acumen complemented McKinley's economic policies, helping secure the gold standard ticket's appeal to industrial and financial interests. Britannica
How did President Cleveland justify sending federal troops during the Pullman Strike?
To ensure mail delivery and interstate commerce
To protect company property
To collect federal taxes
To enforce immigration laws
President Cleveland ordered federal troops to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of mail and to keep interstate commerce moving. He cited the strike's obstruction of postal and rail services as justification. This use of federal power against labor was widely debated. Britannica
Which legal tool did railroads use to limit the Pullman Strike's impact?
Federal injunction
Company lockout
Collective bargaining
Arbitration
Railroads obtained a federal injunction under the Sherman Antitrust Act to bar striking workers from disrupting interstate commerce. This injunction made it illegal for unions to continue the boycott and was enforced by federal troops. It set a precedent for using injunctions against labor unions. Britannica
Which Supreme Court case upheld the use of injunctions against the Pullman Strike?
Schenck v. United States
In re Debs
Lochner v. New York
Plessy v. Ferguson
In re Debs (1895) was the Supreme Court decision that upheld a federal injunction against Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union during the Pullman Strike. It affirmed the government's power to use injunctions to maintain interstate commerce and postal service. This case became a landmark for federal intervention in labor disputes. Britannica
What was the primary grievance of Pullman workers?
Lack of pension plan
Lengthy work hours
Unsafe working conditions
High rents in a company town
Pullman workers lived in a company-owned town and paid rent and high prices for goods, yet their wages were cut in 1894. The disparity between pay and living costs generated anger and sparked the strike. Housing and rent issues were central to the conflict. Britannica
In the Cross of Gold speech, which group did Bryan specifically criticize?
Eastern bankers
Northern industrialists
Western miners
Southern planters
Bryan attacked Eastern bankers and financial interests for enforcing deflationary policies through the gold standard that harmed farmers and debtors. He framed the debate as a struggle between ordinary Americans and powerful moneyed interests. This critique resonated with agrarian voters. Britannica
Which campaign strategy did Bryan popularize in 1896?
Televised debates
Silent speeches
Radio addresses
Whistle-stop train tours
Bryan pioneered the whistle-stop train tour, making hundreds of speeches across the country directly to voters. This approach contrasted with McKinley's front-porch campaign and energized Democratic supporters. It became a model for future retail politics. Britannica
What economic crisis served as the backdrop to the 1896 election?
Panic of 1929
Panic of 1907
Panic of 1873
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 resulted in a severe economic depression with bank failures, high unemployment, and deflation, fueling demand for free silver. It set the stage for Bryan's Cross of Gold speech and the 1896 election's focus on monetary policy. Britannica
Where was the Pullman company town located?
Pullman, Illinois
Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Pullman company town was built on Chicago's South Side and named Pullman, Illinois. George Pullman designed it to house his workers under a paternalistic model. High rents and company control of services sparked worker unrest. Britannica
Approximately how many workers participated in the Pullman Strike?
500,000
250,000
50,000
1 million
At its peak, the Pullman Strike involved about 250,000 workers in the American Railway Union and supportive railway employees nationwide. The boycott of Pullman cars halted rail traffic across the United States. Its scale underscored the power of organized labor at the time. Britannica
Which monetary standard did William McKinley support in 1896?
Fiat currency
Free silver
Gold standard
Bimetallism
William McKinley and the Republican Party strongly supported the gold standard, arguing it ensured economic stability and investor confidence. McKinley's gold plank contrasted directly with Bryan's free silver platform. His stance helped secure financial and business backing. Britannica
What role did the American Railway Union play in the Pullman Strike?
They ran the federal injunction
They enforced wage reductions
They organized a boycott of Pullman cars
They provided arbitration services
The American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a nationwide boycott of trains carrying Pullman cars, effectively shutting down rail traffic in many areas. This broad action brought the strike to national attention and led to federal intervention. Britannica
What rhetorical technique is exemplified by Bryan's repeated use of the phrase "you shall not"?
Synecdoche
Alliteration
Anaphora
Irony
Bryan's repetition of "you shall not" at the climax of his speech is a classic example of anaphora, where successive clauses begin with the same phrase for emphasis. This device heightened the emotional impact of his argument against the gold standard. Anaphora is a powerful tool in persuasive oratory. Wikipedia
Which figurative device does Bryan use when he refers to crucifying mankind upon a cross of gold?
Hyperbole
Metaphor
Simile
Personification
By equating the gold standard to a cross on which mankind is crucified, Bryan employs a metaphor that compares two unlike things to convey the oppressive nature of deflation. This vivid imagery resonated with audiences suffering under economic hardship. Metaphor is a cornerstone of figurative language in rhetoric. LiteraryDevices.net
The monetary deflation of the early 1890s particularly harmed which demographic that Bryan championed?
Southern plantation owners
Farmers
Urban factory workers
Western miners
Deflation increased the real burden of debts and lowered crop prices, which disproportionately affected farmers who had taken loans to expand production. Bryan's speech directly addressed their plight by calling for free silver to inflate the currency. This focus cemented his support among agrarian communities. Britannica
The Cross of Gold speech significantly influenced which faction within the Democratic Party?
Silver Democrats
Dixiecrats
Progressive Democrats
Bourbon Democrats
Bryan's advocacy for free silver solidified the Silver Democrats as a powerful faction within the party, in contrast to the Bourbon Democrats who favored the gold standard and conservative fiscal policies. His speech became the rallying point for the silver wing. Britannica
Which federal statute was invoked to issue the injunction against the Pullman Strike?
The Railway Labor Act
The Clayton Antitrust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act
The Spoils Act
Railroad companies used the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to obtain a federal injunction against the American Railway Union, arguing that the strike constituted a conspiracy to restrain interstate trade. This legal maneuver set a precedent for using antitrust law against labor unions. Britannica
Under what constitutional authority did the federal government justify sending troops during the Pullman Strike?
The Necessary and Proper Clause
The Supremacy Clause
The Commerce Clause
The Tenth Amendment
The government invoked the Commerce Clause to argue that the Pullman Strike's disruption of interstate rail traffic warranted federal intervention. This clause grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, which was interpreted to include maintaining rail operations. U.S. Constitution Annotated
What precedent did the Supreme Court uphold in In re Debs (1895)?
Right to collective bargaining
Legalization of labor unions
Federal power to use injunctions to halt strikes affecting interstate commerce
Abolition of peonage
In re Debs affirmed the federal government's authority to secure injunctions against labor actions that impeded interstate commerce and mail delivery. This decision legitimized the use of federal courts to break strikes by labor unions. It remains a key case in labor law history. Britannica
On what legal basis was Eugene V. Debs convicted following the Pullman Strike?
Conspiracy to commit violence
Violating a federal injunction under the Sherman Antitrust Act
Sedition against the government
Violation of the Espionage Act
Debs was convicted for defying a federal injunction obtained under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibited obstructing interstate commerce. His sentence underscored the courts' willingness to penalize labor leaders through injunctions. It also demonstrated the power imbalance between labor and capital. Britannica
Which labor union did the federal injunction specifically target during the Pullman Strike?
American Federation of Labor
International Workers of the World
American Railway Union
Knights of Labor
The injunction was directed at the American Railway Union (ARU), whose members boycotted trains carrying Pullman cars. By targeting the ARU, authorities aimed to break the strike's economic leverage. The injunction remained in effect until the strike's end. Britannica
Which term describes the practice of using court orders to limit union activities during the Pullman Strike?
Boycott
Lockout
Mediation
Injunction
An injunction is a court order that prohibits specific actions - in this case, strike-related activities that interfered with interstate commerce. The Pullman Strike injunction became a common tool to restrict labor unions. Injunctions dramatically shifted the legal landscape of labor disputes. Britannica
Which act, passed in 1900, formally placed the United States on the gold standard?
Gold Standard Act
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Bland-Allison Act
Sherman Antitrust Act
The Gold Standard Act of 1900 officially established gold as the sole standard for redeeming paper money in the United States. It marked the end of bimetallism and directly countered the free silver movement Bryan championed. The law aimed to stabilize the economy and assure foreign investors. Britannica
Which campaign manager and industrialist financed the gold-standard campaign against Bryan in 1896?
Mark Hanna
Cornelius Vanderbilt
J.P. Morgan
Leland Stanford
Marcus Alonzo Hanna, a U.S. senator and political manager, organized and funded William McKinley's gold-standard-focused campaign in 1896. His efforts raised unprecedented sums from business interests to defeat Bryan. Hanna's strategy became a model for modern campaign finance. Britannica
How many times did William Jennings Bryan run for President of the United States?
Twice
Four times
Once
Three times
William Jennings Bryan was the Democratic nominee for president three times: in 1896, 1900, and 1908. Despite his powerful oratory and populist appeal, he was never elected. His repeated campaigns underscore his lasting influence on American political life. Britannica
Which newspaper reprinted Bryan's Cross of Gold speech across its front page to rally public support?
The Chicago Tribune
The New York World
The New York Times
The Washington Post
Joseph Pulitzer's New York World printed Bryan's speech prominently, helping spread its message nationwide. The newspaper's support exemplified the role of sensational press in shaping public opinion during the Gilded Age. This wide coverage boosted Bryan's candidacy. Wikipedia
What political realignment is associated with the free silver debate of 1896?
Southern industrialists joining Populists
Rural voters consolidating under Democrats
Urban workers shifting to Republicans
Western miners supporting Republicans
The free silver debate realigned rural and Western voters, many of whom rallied behind Democrats under Bryan. This shift weakened the Populist Party and solidified Democratic strength among agrarian constituencies. It reshaped partisan coalitions into the 20th century. Britannica
Which modern economic theory contrasts Bryan's free silver remedy by emphasizing government spending to manage the economy?
Keynesian economics
Classical economics
Supply-side economics
Monetarism
Keynesian economics, developed in the 20th century by John Maynard Keynes, advocates for active government fiscal policy to boost demand and manage economic cycles. It contrasts with Bryan's free silver proposal, which focused on expanding the money supply through bimetallism rather than government spending. Keynesianism became dominant after the Great Depression. Britannica
Analyze the impact of Bryan's Cross of Gold speech on the subsequent decline of the Populist Party.
It caused a split that strengthened the Populists
It led to a fusion with Democrats and absorption of Populists
It transformed Populists into a labor-only party
It had no significant effect on the Populist Party
Bryan's adoption of free silver at the 1896 Democratic Convention prompted the Populist Party to endorse him rather than run its own candidate, leading to a fusion ticket. This alliance diluted the Populist identity and accelerated its absorption into the Democratic Party. By co-opting the Populist platform, Democrats effectively ended the Populists as an independent force. Britannica
In what way did the Pullman Strike and its legal suppression shape the future use of federal injunctions in labor disputes?
It discouraged future injunctions
It mandated arbitration instead of injunctions
It limited injunctions to state courts
It legitimized federal authority to break strikes via injunctions
The federal injunction in the Pullman Strike established a precedent for using the courts to halt strikes that impeded interstate commerce or mail delivery. Subsequent administrations regularly employed injunctions against labor actions throughout the 20th century. This legal tool became a primary means of controlling strikes until labor law reforms. Britannica
Evaluate Bryan's use of religious imagery in the Cross of Gold speech as a strategic rhetorical device.
It was purely ornamental with no strategic aim
It reinforced moral urgency and connected with Christian audiences
It alienated non-Christian voters
It provided no clear connection to politics
Bryan's invocation of biblical imagery, such as crucifixion, tapped into the deeply held religious beliefs of many Americans, framing the silver debate as a moral rather than purely economic issue. This strategy strengthened emotional resonance and moral urgency in his argument. It helped galvanize Christian voters toward the free silver cause. Britannica
Discuss the role of the Coinage Act of 1873 in setting the stage for Bryan's silver campaign.
It mandated free silver coinage
It raised tariffs on silver imports
It demonetized silver, contributing to deflationary pressures
It established the gold standard permanently
The Coinage Act of 1873, sometimes called the "Crime of '73" by silver advocates, effectively stopped the minting of silver dollars, reducing the money supply and contributing to deflation. This act fueled agrarian and debtor discontent, laying the groundwork for the free silver movement that Bryan championed. His 1896 campaign directly responded to the monetary constraints created by the 1873 law. Britannica
0
{"name":"Who delivered the Cross of Gold speech?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Who delivered the Cross of Gold speech?, In which year was the Cross of Gold speech delivered?, In which city did Bryan deliver the Cross of Gold speech?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Bryan's Rhetorical Strategies -

    Interpret how William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech proved his advocacy for bimetallism by examining key persuasive techniques and their impact on 1896 audiences.

  2. Explain Economic Arguments -

    Understand how William Jennings Bryan's arguments in the Cross of Gold speech addressed farmers' and laborers' concerns, demonstrating how did William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech prove the need for silver coinage.

  3. Identify Strike Catalysts -

    Pinpoint the precipitating factor in the 1894 Pullman Strike was Pullman's wage cuts and company control over housing, linking worker grievances to broader labor unrest.

  4. Recall Key Gilded Age Innovations -

    Recognize major technological breakthroughs of the era, including Thomas Edison inventions quiz questions, and connect them to industrial growth and social change.

  5. Evaluate Historical Knowledge -

    Apply your understanding through targeted questions in this American history trivia quiz to measure retention of speeches, strikes, and innovations from the Gilded Age.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Bimetallism and Free Silver Advocacy -

    William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech galvanized support for silver coinage by arguing that "you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold," illustrating how did William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech prove his commitment to bimetallism. Memorize the 16:1 silver-to-gold ratio as a quick mnemonic for free-silver policy debates (Library of Congress).

  2. Populist Movement Synergy -

    Bryan's fiery oratory united Midwestern farmers and Eastern laborers under the People's Party banner, a key insight for any American history trivia quiz. His rhetoric framed economic inequality as a moral issue, boosting grassroots organizing and influencing future progressive reforms (Brandeis University Digital Collections).

  3. Pullman Strike Catalyst -

    Understanding that the precipitating factor in the 1894 Pullman Strike was Pullman's unilateral wage cuts without rent reductions in company housing explains why workers walked off the job nationwide. This spark led to federal troop deployment, highlighting tensions between labor rights and federal authority (National Archives).

  4. Gilded Age Innovations Overview -

    For a quick Gilded Age innovations quiz, recall that advancements like Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and George Westinghouse's air brake revolutionized communication and transportation. Use the phrase "Bell Brakes Bright" to link telephone, air brake, and electric lighting in one go (Smithsonian Institution).

  5. Edison's Inventive Impact -

    Thomas Edison's breakthroughs - phonograph, motion picture camera, and practical incandescent light bulb - set the stage for mass communication and entertainment, perfect material for any Thomas Edison inventions quiz. Remember "PML" (Phonograph-Motion picture-Light bulb) as a simple acronym to catalog his top three inventions (U.S. Patent Office).

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Modern History Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker