Difference between revisions of "Silver Republican Party"
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| − | The '''Silver Republican Party''' was a short-lived U.S. political party formed by predominantly GOP politicians who supported [[bimetallism]], a coinage of silver along with gold as currency. Opposing the [[gold standard]], the Silver GOP promoted inflationary monetary policy and carried a [[populist]] bent, appealing to rural western farmers who supported such measures to relieve debts and raise prices.<ref>[http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.pg.075.xml Silver Republicans]. ''Encyclopedia of the Great Plains''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> | + | The '''Silver Republican Party''' was a short-lived U.S. political party formed by predominantly GOP politicians who supported [[bimetallism]], a coinage of silver along with gold as currency. Opposing the [[gold standard]], the Silver GOP promoted inflationary monetary policy and carried a [[populist]] bent, appealing to rural western farmers who supported such measures to relieve debts and raise prices.<ref name=greatplainsencyclopedia>[http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.pg.075.xml Silver Republicans]. ''Encyclopedia of the Great Plains''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> |
Even prior to the party's formation, many pro-silver Republicans staunchly emphasized the issue above all else. When the Federal Elections bill of 1890, legislation pursued to safeguard black voting rights, entered the floor of the Senate, the western silver Republicans voted to kill it along with Southern Democrats, hoping their stance would attract the latter to backing their economic positions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/morton-levi.htm About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> | Even prior to the party's formation, many pro-silver Republicans staunchly emphasized the issue above all else. When the Federal Elections bill of 1890, legislation pursued to safeguard black voting rights, entered the floor of the Senate, the western silver Republicans voted to kill it along with Southern Democrats, hoping their stance would attract the latter to backing their economic positions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/morton-levi.htm About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 04:12, October 3, 2021
The Silver Republican Party was a short-lived U.S. political party formed by predominantly GOP politicians who supported bimetallism, a coinage of silver along with gold as currency. Opposing the gold standard, the Silver GOP promoted inflationary monetary policy and carried a populist bent, appealing to rural western farmers who supported such measures to relieve debts and raise prices.[1]
Even prior to the party's formation, many pro-silver Republicans staunchly emphasized the issue above all else. When the Federal Elections bill of 1890, legislation pursued to safeguard black voting rights, entered the floor of the Senate, the western silver Republicans voted to kill it along with Southern Democrats, hoping their stance would attract the latter to backing their economic positions.[2]
Timeline
The Republican Party platform of 1896 stated:[3]
| “ | We are unalterably opposed to every measure calculated to debase our currency or impair the credit of our country. We are therefore opposed to the free coinage of silver, except by international agreement with the leading commercial nations of the earth, which agreement we pledge ourselves to promote, and until such agreement can be obtained the existing gold standard must be maintained. | ” |
As a result, the pro-free silver wing of the GOP bolted from the party convention that year and formed the Silver Republican Party, which issued an official endorsement of Democrat nominee William Jennings Bryan.[4]
In the 1900 presidential election, Silver Republicans led an effort to unite the party with the Democratic Party.[4] However, the Democrats declined to place a vice presidential nominee from the Silver GOP on their ticket.
The Silver Republican Party disbanded in 1901, with members urging supporters to join the Democratic Party.[4]
References
- ↑ Silver Republicans. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ↑ About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893). United States Senate. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ↑ June 18, 1896. Republican Party Platform of 1896. The American Presidency Project. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Silver Republican Party. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved October 3, 2021.