Compare and contrast the mission and methods of Jacob Coxey, William Jennings Bryan, and Eugene V. Debs.

Jacob Coxey, William Jennings Bryan, and Eugene V. Debs were all prominent figures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who sought to address social and economic issues in the United States. While they shared some common goals, such as advocating for the rights of workers and challenging the power of big business, they also had distinct missions and methods.

Jacob Coxey was a businessman and populist who is best known for leading a protest march on Washington, D.C. in 1894. His mission was to demand government intervention to create jobs for the unemployed during the economic depression of the 1890s. Coxey proposed a plan for the federal government to issue $500 million in paper currency to finance public works projects, which he believed would stimulate the economy and alleviate poverty. His method of direct action, in the form of the "Coxey's Army" march, was a bold and dramatic attempt to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed and pressure the government to take action.

William Jennings Bryan, a politician and orator, also championed the cause of the common people during this era. His mission was to promote the free coinage of silver as a means of expanding the money supply and easing the burden of debt on farmers and workers. Bryan believed that this monetary policy would help to address the economic hardships facing many Americans, particularly in rural areas. His method of advocacy involved delivering impassioned speeches and rallying support for his ideas through the Democratic Party, ultimately earning him the nickname "The Great Commoner."

Eugene V. Debs, a labor leader and socialist, had a broader mission of challenging the capitalist system and advocating for the rights of workers. He sought to build a mass movement of industrial workers to fight for better wages, hours, and working conditions, as well as to ultimately overthrow the capitalist system and establish a socialist society. Debs' method involved organizing labor unions, leading strikes, and running for political office as the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party multiple times.

In comparing and contrasting the mission and methods of these three figures, it is clear that they all sought to address the economic and social injustices of their time, but they did so through different means. Coxey's direct action and dramatic protest march stood in contrast to Bryan's political maneuvering within the existing system, while Debs' revolutionary socialist vision represented a more radical departure from the status quo. Despite their differences, all three figures played important roles in shaping the political and social landscape of their era and laying the groundwork for future movements for social and economic justice.