The excerpt below is from William Jennings Bryan's speech at the Democratic Convention in 1896 “Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the
commercial Interests, the laboring interests and the tolers everywhere, we will answer their
demands for a gold standard by saying to them: ‘You shall not press down upon the brow of
labor this crown of thoms: you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of goid.’ "

Why did Bryan's rural supporters believe that the gold standard was oppressive?

A. They knew that railroad owners and grain elevator operators usually insisted on being paid with gold
coin.

B. They believed that a policy of bimetallism would lead crop prices to rise, making farm debts less
burdensome

C. They feared that speculators like Jay Gould and James Fisk would manipulate prices by cornering
the gold market

D. They felt that reliance on the gold standard in international trade had made it difficult for farmers to
export crops overseas.