The People's Party National Convention

IIn 1900 Sioux Falls was host to the Peoples Party National Convention and the small Prairie city of 12,000 braced itself for masses of attendees. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the turnout was disappointing leaving local businesses annoyed and out money for prep work for the crowds that never showed. The People’s Party was also called the Populist Party and was supposed to represent farmers, laborers, and small business owners. The guest of honor, forerunning expected to be nominated for president, William Jennings Bryan didn’t even show in Sioux Falls. The convention still had some great speeches and enthusiastic debates and William Jennings Bryan did in fact win the nomination. Spoiler alert he does not become president. Bryan would actually run for the oval office three times in his political career and would strike out. 

Let's take a moment to get to know William Jennings Bryan. Born in Illinois in 1860 and soon sharpened his mind in Chicago's law school.

• Personal Life:

  • Behind every great man is a greater woman: his wife Mary, a sharp-witted attorney who helped craft his orations.

  • Nebraska called to the Jennings family in 1887. It was the perfect up and coming state to make a name for himself and soon Bryan was making waves in Congress.

• Historical Context:

  • Tariffs, economic hiccups, and a political merry-go-round—sounds like the Gilded Age is back in fashion!

  • Political Influence:

    • As a standout Democrat, Bryan was the ultimate political bridesmaid—never the president, kind of like a Hamilton without the Broadway spotlight.

    • He railed against the gold standard with his epic line, “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold,” earning his stripes as a legendary speaker.

• Campaigning and Advocacy:

  • In 1908, Bryan was on a campaigning spree across South Dakota, even hitting the Corn Palace. His passions included anti-imperialism and prohibition.

• Legacy in Education:

  • The Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 was a classroom drama, starring Bryan in a key role.

  • John Scopes, a Tennessee teacher, was in hot water for teaching evolution against state law. With Clarence Darrow and the ACLU on one side, Bryan was on the prosecution team. While he won the case, it came with mockery for his literal Bible views. It would be his final bow.

Bryan died just days after the trial, laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. But his spirit of reform and common folk advocacy echoed through time. He prepped the Democratic Party for progressive action, inspiring future reformers. His speeches are a time capsule of his justice-driven fervor, proving the lasting power of a passionate voice.

William Jennings Bryan's life was a patchwork of ambition and a relentless chase for a fairer world—a legacy that still fuels the fight for social and economic justice today.