Free Silver Movement

The Free Silver Movement was a late 19th-century political campaign in the United States advocating for the unlimited coinage of silver alongside gold. Supporters believed that using silver as currency would increase the money supply, help farmers and miners, and promote economic growth. At the time, the U.S. primarily used gold for money, which limited inflation and benefited bankers and wealthy investors. The movement gained traction among farmers and working-class people who wanted more flexible currency options to ease debt and stimulate the economy. Ultimately, the push for free silver was a key issue in elections and economic debates of that era.