The U.S. government’s failed 1890s attempt to forge unity through currency
Twice in my education, once in middle school and once in college (my instructor did a very dramatic read of William Jennings Bryan&#x27;s &quot;Cross of Gold&quot; speech), I encountered the Free Silver movement in history classes. I never understood it then and to this day I still don&#x27;t understand what the kerfuffle was about. It seems like a religious doctrinal difference rather than one that would have any real economic effect.<p>Somewhat before I cared about money, in 1971, Nixon decoupled the dollar from gold, and although I do recall hearing about the accompanying wage&#x2F;price freeze, I don&#x27;t think it&#x27;s ever mattered to me whether or not I could exchange my paper for gold.