Role of Government Controversies: Gilded Age - AP U.S. History

1. Identify the main argument against the gold standard in the Gilded Age.

   It restricted money supply and hurt farmers and debtors. Limited currency caused deflation, making debts harder to repay.

2. Which political party was known for supporting high tariffs during the Gilded Age?

   The Republican Party. Protectionists believed tariffs protected American jobs and industries.

3. Identify the primary economic policy debated during the Gilded Age.

   Tariff policy. Republicans favored high tariffs while Democrats supported lower rates.

4. What was the primary focus of the Populist Party's platform?

   Economic reforms favoring farmers and workers. Sought government regulation of railroads and monetary expansion.

5. What was the main demand of the Farmers' Alliance?

   Government regulation of railroads. Rural organization seeking relief from high railroad shipping rates.

6. Which Supreme Court case upheld the legality of segregation in 1896?

   Plessy v. Ferguson. Established 'separate but equal' doctrine allowing segregation.

7. Which ethnic group was targeted by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

   Chinese immigrants. First major federal immigration restriction based on race.

8. What was the main purpose of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890?

   To increase the amount of silver the government purchased. Required government to buy more silver to increase money supply.

9. Identify the main criticism of the gold standard by farmers.

   Caused deflation and lowered crop prices. Fixed money supply prevented currency expansion needed for growth.

10. What was the primary cause of the Pullman Strike of 1894?

    Wage cuts without reducing rent in company towns. Workers faced economic hardship while paying high company store prices.

11. What was the primary legal basis for segregation laws during the Gilded Age?

    The 'separate but equal' doctrine. Plessy decision allowed segregation if facilities were theoretically equal.

12. What was the main criticism of the spoils system during the Gilded Age?

    Led to corruption and inefficiency in government. Political appointments based on loyalty rather than merit.

13. Identify the primary objective of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

    To prevent business monopolies. Aimed to break up trusts and promote business competition.

14. Which economic theory justified minimal government intervention during the Gilded Age?

    Laissez-faire economics. Opposed government regulation of business and the economy.

15. Which group played a key role in the settlement house movement?

    Progressive reformers. Middle-class reformers established community centers in poor neighborhoods.

16. Which industry was primarily targeted by the Interstate Commerce Commission?

    The railroad industry. Created to regulate the powerful railroad monopolies.

17. What was the primary goal of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

    To regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices. Created the ICC to oversee railroad pricing and discrimination.

18. What was the main impact of the Dawes Act on Native Americans?

    Disrupted tribal land ownership. Divided tribal lands into individual plots, weakening tribal unity.

19. Identify the main focus of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

    Advocating for prohibition of alcohol. Moral reform movement linking alcohol to social problems.

20. Identify the goal of the Knights of Labor.

    To organize workers for better wages and conditions. Early labor organization seeking broad social and economic reforms.

21. Identify the main effect of the Homestead Strike of 1892.

    Weakened the labor movement. Failed strike damaged labor's reputation and organizing power.

22. Which political figure was known for his 'Cross of Gold' speech?

    William Jennings Bryan. Democratic candidate who advocated for silver coinage in 1896.

23. Identify the main purpose of the Granger Laws.

    To regulate railroad and grain elevator rates. State laws regulating railroad rates to help farmers.

24. What was the main effect of the McKinley Tariff of 1890?

    Raised tariffs to protect American industries. Increased prices on imported goods to benefit domestic manufacturers.

25. What role did political machines play in city governance during the Gilded Age?

    Controlled votes and provided services in exchange for political support. Created patronage networks that dominated urban politics through corruption.

26. What was the primary aim of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act?

    To establish a merit-based system for federal employment. Replaced the corrupt spoils system with competitive exams for federal jobs.

27. Which legislation was passed in response to the Haymarket Riot?

    None; it led to public backlash against labor movements. The bombing actually weakened labor's public image and support.

28. What was the primary economic consequence of the Panic of 1873?

    A severe economic depression. Bank failures and business closures caused widespread unemployment.

29. Identify the main rationale for the introduction of the income tax in 1894.

    To replace tariff revenues lost to tariff reductions. Compensated for lower tariff income with direct taxation.

30. Which labor leader was instrumental in founding the American Federation of Labor?

    Samuel Gompers. Focused on skilled workers and practical workplace improvements.

31. What was the primary issue addressed by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878?

    Limited coinage of silver dollars. Compromise between gold and silver supporters over currency policy.

32. What was the significance of the 1893 economic depression?

    Led to debates over monetary policy and government intervention. Sparked calls for government economic intervention and monetary reform.

33. What was the main focus of the Greenback Party?

    Expanding the money supply with paper currency. Advocated inflated currency to help farmers pay debts more easily.

34. Which legislation aimed to curb monopolistic practices in the Gilded Age?

    The Sherman Antitrust Act. First federal antitrust legislation, though weakly enforced initially.

35. What was the primary goal of the National Labor Union?

    Advocate for workers' rights and an eight-hour workday. First major national labor federation seeking shorter work hours.

36. Which philosophy was used to justify the wealth of industrialists?

    Social Darwinism. Applied evolutionary theory to justify economic inequality.

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