The Free Silver Movement was a political campaign in the late 19th century that advocated for the unlimited coinage of silver to increase the money supply in the United States. Supporters believed that this would help farmers and working-class citizens by making it easier to pay off debts and stimulate economic growth. The movement gained significant traction during the 1890s, particularly among those affected by economic hardship. Key figures in the movement included politicians like William Jennings Bryan, who famously supported the cause in his "Cross of Gold" speech. The movement was closely tied to the broader issues of Populism and monetary policy, reflecting the struggles between agrarian interests and industrial capitalism during that era.