Chapter 18: Society and Politics in the Gilded Age, 1865-1900
The following events occurred as part of the financial debate between advocates of "sound money" policies and supporters of an expansion of the money supply. Put the events in chronological order to illustrate how the money question became the most important political issue of the late nineteenth century. -Panic of 1893 -Sherman Silver Purchase Act -Democratic nomination of the pro-silver Bryan as their presidential candidate -People's party platform of 1892 -McKinley inaugurated as president -President Cleveland convincing Congress to return the nation's money supply to a solely gold standard by repealing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act -"The Crime of '73"
- "The Crime of '73" - Sherman Silver Purchase Act - People's party platform of 1892 - Panic of 1893 - President Cleveland convincing Congress to return the nation's money supply to a solely gold standard by repealing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act - Democratic nomination of the pro-silver Bryan as their presidential candidate - McKinley inaugurated as president
Put the following events in the order they occurred during the Gilded Age. -Senator James Gillespie Blaine of Maine receives the Republican nomination for the presidency. -President Garfield is assassinated by someone who had failed to receive a government job and blamed Garfield's civil service reforms. -The Mugwumps break with the Republican party. -Democrat Grover Cleveland won the presidency as a reform candidate. -President Hayes attempts to implement civil service reform with limited success. -The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act mandated that many federal jobs be filled on the basis of competitive tests rather than patronage.
-President Hayes attempts to implement civil service reform with limited success. - President Garfield is assassinated by someone who had failed to receive a government job and blamed Garfield's civil service reforms. - The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act mandated that many federal jobs be filled on the basis of competitive tests rather than patronage. - Senator James Gillespie Blaine of Maine receives the Republican nomination for the presidency. - The Mugwumps break with the Republican party. - Democrat Grover Cleveland won the presidency as a reform candidate.
Fill in the - In his book Dynamic Sociology, Frank Ward focuses his attention on the - and its various functions for human interaction and adaptation. Ward argued that humans, like animals, compete with one another, but also have the ability to - with each other and plan for future events. They are not simply idle subjects of -, but play an active role in "shaping and directing social change." Ward directly challenged Spencer's - by claiming that cooperation, not competition, would advance society, and his ideas came to be called -. -Reform Darwinism -On the Origin of Species -worship -Social Darwinism -God's will -animal instinct -collaborate -human brain -evolutionary forces -"the survival of the fittest"
-human brain -collaborate -evolutionary forces -Social Darwinism -Reform Darwinism
Fill in the - Drag each word to the appropriate blank space in order to complete the passage regarding the role of ring bosses in big-city politics during the Gilded Age. Ring bosses established large - networks that they used to reward loyal followers and -. Ring bosses would become so influential as to prompt requests for - from the - during the Grant administration. -president of the United States -city mayors -patronage -active voters -generous donors -bribes
-patronage -generous donors -bribes -president of the United States
Fill in the - Complete the passage below to describe the recruitment of foreign workers for cheap labor in American industries. In an attempt to recruit low-wage laborers to work in - industries, such as mines and railroads, companies sent - abroad to spark a desire for migration to the United States. Travel expenses for immigrants were partly - by the federal government through the - until its repeal in 1868. It took twenty years for the government to prevent companies from - foreign workers, which had allowed them complete - of immigrant laborers. -flyers -quickly growing -agents -control -subsidized -banning -protection -charged -importing -Contract Labor Act -Immigration Restriction League -easy
-quickly growing -agents -subsidized -Contract Labor Act -importing -control
America's prosperity and the promise of political and religious freedom attracted waves of new immigrants. What percentage of urban residents in major cities were foreign-born at the beginning of the twentieth century? -fifty percent -fifteen percent -thirty percent -five percent
-thirty percent
Analyze the painting below. What does George Bellow's Stag at Sharkey's reveal about life in the early twentieth century? -The money question -The realist emphasis on closely observing everyday reality grew out of the scientific spirit. -Art depicted the realities of everyday life, not romanticized versions of it. -The shift from realism to romanticism in American art and culture
Correct answers -Art depicted the realities of everyday life, not romanticized versions of it. -The realist emphasis on closely observing everyday reality grew out of the scientific spirit. Incorrect answers -The money question -The shift from realism to romanticism in American art and culture
In the post-Civil War era, what were some of the circumstances that contributed to the difficult economic conditions for farmers in the South and the Great Plains? -Farmers had to buy manufactured goods protected by tariffs while simultaneously selling their crops on the open market. -Increased competition from national and international producers increased the food supply while lowering food prices. -The development of national and international market economies forced farmers to pay high shipping and storage fees. -The decline in the money supply made it difficult to pay off their debts.
Correct answers -Farmers had to buy manufactured goods protected by tariffs while simultaneously selling their crops on the open market. -Increased competition from national and international producers increased the food supply while lowering food prices. -The development of national and international market economies forced farmers to pay high shipping and storage fees. -The decline in the money supply made it difficult to pay off their debts. Incorrect answers -
How did the Granger movement seek to help farmers across the South and the Great Plains alleviate some of the hardships caused by a shrinking money supply? -It was the first to help isolated farmers politically organize for policies that would change the money supply. -It helped farmers organize, develop "cooperatives," and reduce storage and transportation fees. -It helped establish Granger laws that provided additional protections to small farmers. -It unified black and white tenant farmers across the country against their perceived oppressors.
Correct answers -It was the first to help isolated farmers politically organize for policies that would change the money supply. -It helped establish Granger laws that provided additional protections to small farmers. -It helped farmers organize, develop "cooperatives," and reduce storage and transportation fees. Incorrect answers -It unified black and white tenant farmers across the country against their perceived oppressors.
Why did millions of Americans migrate from the country to the city during the Gilded Age? -Many rural workers were fascinated by the new agricultural machinery originating in the cities and sought to learn technologies to replicate it. -Many migrants sought to escape the monotony of the countryside and experience the cultural excitement of the city. -A reduced demand for farm labor pushed many rural workers to find work in the city. -New industries in the cities created abundant job opportunities that attracted many individuals who sought work.
Correct answers -Many migrants sought to escape the monotony of the countryside and experience the cultural excitement of the city. -A reduced demand for farm labor pushed many rural workers to find work in the city. -New industries in the cities created abundant job opportunities that attracted many individuals who sought work. Incorrect answers -Many rural workers were fascinated by the new agricultural machinery originating in the cities and sought to learn technologies to replicate it.
What were some of the duties and responsibilities of party bosses? -Party bosses strictly enforced the prohibition on alcohol. -Party bosses distributed contracts to financial supporters and government jobs to loyal members of their ring. -Party bosses organized campaign workers. -Party bosses shared power over their ring with a council of supporters drawn from their neighborhood. -Party bosses provided financial assistance to the needy.
Correct answers -Party bosses organized campaign workers. -Party bosses distributed contracts to financial supporters and government jobs to loyal members of their ring. -Party bosses provided financial assistance to the needy. Incorrect answers -Party bosses strictly enforced the prohibition on alcohol. -Party bosses shared power over their ring with a council of supporters drawn from their neighborhood.
In what ways did the emergence of new scientific theories influence the rise of cultural forces such as realism? -New evolutionary theories inspired a wave of art and literature devoted to animal life. -The facts offered by science influenced a less romantic perspective of human life. -The growing influence of science led to a decline in art featuring human subjects and increased devotion to nature. -Science generated a newfound focus on the value of things that could be observed and calculated, including their everyday surroundings.
Correct answers -The facts offered by science influenced a less romantic perspective of human life. -Science generated a newfound focus on the value of things that could be observed and calculated, including their everyday surroundings. Incorrect answers -New evolutionary theories inspired a wave of art and literature devoted to animal life. -The growing influence of science led to a decline in art featuring human subjects and increased devotion to nature.
Speaking of campaign contributions to members of Congress, a California railroad tycoon said, "If you have to pay money to have the right thing done, then it is only just and fair to do it." This quotation illustrates which of the following aspects of Gilded Age politics? -Democratic reformers sought to do anything to ensure the closure of saloons, including bribery. -Corruption was a regular feature of American politics. -Special interests had little influence on American politics due to the Pendleton Act, a civil service reform bill passed in 1883. -Their wealth allowed "robber barons" to buy favors from legislators and government officials.
Correct answers -Their wealth allowed "robber barons" to buy favors from legislators and government officials. Corruption was a regular feature of American politics. Incorrect answers -Special interests had little influence on American politics due to the Pendleton Act, a civil service reform bill passed in 1883. Democratic reformers sought to do anything to ensure the closure of saloons, including bribery.
What role did saloons play in urban life, and what types of customers usually frequented these destinations? -They provided refuge for the homeless. -They served as a social club for working men. -They usually served Protestant Republicans seeking relief from primarily Catholic destinations, such as dance halls. -They provided an environment for men to engage in political discussion.
Correct answers -They provided refuge for the homeless. -They provided an environment for men to engage in political discussion. -They served as a social club for working men. Incorrect answers -They usually served Protestant Republicans seeking relief from primarily Catholic destinations, such as dance halls.
John Sloan's 1911 painting Wet Night on the Bowery illustrates which of the following changes in turn-of-the-century American culture? -the growth of urbanism -the impact of the scientific spirit on all aspect of American culture -the money question -the shift from romanticism to realism in American art and culture -the shift from realism to romanticism in American art and culture
Correct answers -the growth of urbanism -the shift from romanticism to realism in American art and culture -the impact of the scientific spirit on all aspect of American culture Incorrect answers -the money question -the shift from realism to romanticism in American art and culture
T/F President Cleveland's veto of Congress' attempt to provide seeds to Texas farmers was a testament to his devotion to the spoils system.
False
Match the following Gilded Age legislation to its appropriate description. -Dependent Pension Act -Sherman Anti-Trust -McKinley Tariff Act -Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act -Bland-Allison Act *This passed in 1890 to prohibit companies from establishing monopolies in their industries. *Passed in 1878, it expanded the nation's money supply through an increase of silver coins. *This repaid Harrison's debt to Civil War veterans who proved critical in his election. *It protected American businesses from foreign competitors and encouraged domestic companies to raise their prices. *It imposed a system of competitive tests for the attainment of federal jobs.
This passed in 1890 to prohibit companies from establishing monopolies in their industries. -Sherman Anti-Trust Passed in 1878, it expanded the nation's money supply through an increase of silver coins. -Bland-Allison Act This repaid Harrison's debt to Civil War veterans who proved critical in his election. -Dependent Pension Act It protected American businesses from foreign competitors and encouraged domestic companies to raise their prices. -McKinley Tariff Act It imposed a system of competitive tests for the attainment of federal jobs. -Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
T/F The Granger movement subsided and was largely replaced by the Farmers' Alliances as the latter focused more on political action and increasing the power of farmers nationally, in addition to the social and educational functions of the Granger movement.
True
Match "old" and "new" immigration to their appropriate descriptions. Drag each item on the left to its matching item on the right. Note that every item may not have a match, while some items may have more than one match. -new immigrants -old immigrants *seen by some as seeking to make money and then return to their home country *mainly from northern and western Europe *mainly from southern and eastern Europe *generally practiced Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox religions *generally Protestants and Roman Catholics
seen by some as seeking to make money and then return to their home country -new immigrants mainly from northern and western Europe -old immigrants mainly from southern and eastern Europe -new immigrants generally practiced Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox religions -new immigrants generally Protestants and Roman Catholics -old immigrants
Match the various groups of Americans with their typical views of U.S. monetary policy. -bankers -debtors -ranchers -farmers -moneylenders *supported the expansion of the money supply *supported a "sound money" monetary policy that focused on restricting the money supply
supported the expansion of the money supply -farmers -ranchers -debtors supported a "sound money" monetary policy that focused on restricting the money supply -moneylenders -bankers
