Politics in the Gilded Age - AP U.S. History

1. Name the labor union led by Samuel Gompers during the Gilded Age.

   American Federation of Labor (AFL). Focused on skilled workers and practical goals.

2. Who was the leader of Tammany Hall known for his corrupt practices?

   William M. Tweed, also known as Boss Tweed. Infamous for stealing millions through government contracts.

3. Who was the influential political cartoonist known for exposing corruption in the Gilded Age?

   Thomas Nast. Used political cartoons to expose Tammany Hall corruption.

4. What term describes the 19th-century belief in minimal governmental involvement in the economy?

   Laissez-faire. French term meaning 'let it be' or hands-off approach.

5. What was the primary goal of the Interstate Commerce Commission created in 1887?

   Regulate railroads and ensure fair rates. First federal regulatory agency overseeing transportation.

6. What political movement sought to curb the power of corporations and address social issues?

   Progressivism. Reform movement targeting corruption and social problems.

7. Who coined the term 'Gilded Age'?

   Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner. Co-authored the 1873 novel that gave the era its name.

8. Which act was passed to restore bimetallism in the United States in 1878?

   Bland-Allison Act. Required government to purchase silver for coinage monthly.

9. What was the major focus of the Farmers' Alliance during the Gilded Age?

   Agricultural reform and economic cooperation. Organized farmers to address economic hardships collectively.

10. Which tariff, passed in 1890, raised duties on imports to a peacetime high?

    McKinley Tariff. Protected American industry with high import duties.

11. What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson?

    Established 'separate but equal' doctrine. Upheld racial segregation as constitutional practice.

12. What was the main issue addressed by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

    Regulation of railroads to ensure fair rates. Created the Interstate Commerce Commission for oversight.

13. Name the famous political machine based in New York City during the Gilded Age.

    Tammany Hall. Corrupt Democratic organization led by Boss Tweed.

14. Which event led to the establishment of Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894?

    Pullman Strike. Federal intervention in labor dispute led to holiday creation.

15. Which 1887 act was designed to assimilate Native Americans and dismantle tribes?

    Dawes Act. Attempted forced assimilation by breaking up reservations.

16. What was the primary economic concern of farmers leading to the Populist movement?

    Falling crop prices and high railroad rates. Led farmers to organize politically for relief.

17. What was the main goal of the Granger Laws passed in several states?

    To regulate railroad and grain elevator rates. State laws controlling railroad monopoly pricing.

18. What was the primary aim of the Populist Party formed in the 1890s?

    Advocating for the rights of farmers and laborers. Third party opposing corporate power and financial elites.

19. Which event marked the first nationwide labor strike in the United States?

    The Great Railroad Strike of 1877. Sparked by wage cuts during economic depression.

20. What was the primary goal of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890?

    To prohibit monopolies and maintain competition. First federal antitrust legislation targeting business monopolies.

21. Which U.S. President served two non-consecutive terms during the Gilded Age?

    Grover Cleveland. Only president to serve split terms (1885-1889, 1893-1897).

22. What term describes the late 19th-century period marked by economic growth and political corruption?

    The Gilded Age. Named for the thin layer of gold covering deep social problems.

23. What was the primary focus of the Greenback Party?

    Inflationary monetary policy using paper money. Wanted flexible currency instead of gold standard.

24. What organization was founded in 1869 and was the first significant national labor union in the U.S.?

    Knights of Labor. Included both skilled and unskilled workers nationwide.

25. Identify the author of the 1879 book 'Progress and Poverty' that criticized the economic system.

    Henry George. Proposed single tax on land to reduce inequality.

26. Which political party was known for advocating the free coinage of silver?

    Populist Party. Believed silver coinage would increase money supply and help debtors.

27. What economic event in 1893 led to a severe nationwide depression?

    Panic of 1893. Bank failures and unemployment reached crisis levels.

28. What was the main purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887?

    To assimilate Native Americans by allotting land. Divided tribal lands into individual private plots.

29. What economic theory did Gilded Age politicians often use to justify laissez-faire policies?

    Social Darwinism. Applied Darwin's theories to justify economic inequality.

30. Identify the legislation that created the first federal regulatory agency in the U.S.

    Interstate Commerce Act. Created the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1887.

31. Which U.S. President was assassinated, leading to reforms in the civil service?

    James A. Garfield. His murder by office-seeker led to civil service reform.

32. Which political party dominated the presidency during the Gilded Age?

    Republican Party. Controlled the presidency for most of 1869-1893.

33. Identify the act that aimed to reform the civil service system in 1883.

    Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. Created merit-based hiring to replace the spoils system.

34. Who was the Democratic candidate in the 1896 presidential election known for his 'Cross of Gold' speech?

    William Jennings Bryan. Championed free silver to help farmers and debtors.

35. Name the practice of giving government jobs to political supporters, prevalent in the Gilded Age.

    Patronage or Spoils System. Rewarding loyal party members with government positions.

36. Identify the U.S. President known for the 'front porch campaign' of 1896.

    William McKinley. Campaigned from his Ohio home to avoid travel costs.

37. Identify the 1886 event that significantly impacted the labor movement.

    Haymarket Affair. Bombing during labor protest damaged union reputation.

38. What political scandal involved the Union Pacific Railroad and Crédit Mobilier construction company?

    Crédit Mobilier scandal. Involved bribing congressmen with discounted shares.

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