US History Midterm Exam Review

What is imperialism? A.the economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones B.the building of secret alliances among powerful nations C.the internal expansion of territories within one's own borders D.the political desire to bring economic prosperity to one's country

A.the economic and political domination of a strong nation over weaker ones

And shortly afterward . . . a physician, made the discovery that the carcasses of steers which had been condemned as tubercular by the government inspectors . . . were left upon an open platform and carted away to be sold in the city. . . . —Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906 Public response to revelations such as the one in this excerpt led to the establishment of regulations that were eventually enforced by the — a. Food and Drug Administration b. Centers for Disease Control c. Department of Commerce d. Institution of Education Sciences

a. Food and Drug Administration

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. . . . — 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution What was one way the constitutional amendment excerpted above helped advance the cause of gender equality? a. It gave women a greater opportunity to influence government. b. It gave women new economic rights, such as property ownership. c. It established the idea that women should contribute to all sectors of the economy. d. It contributed to a long-term decline in the number of men voting in elections.

a. It gave women a greater opportunity to influence government.

U.S. control of the Philippines + Cuban independence + U.S. control of Puerto Rico + U.S. control of Guam = ? Which sentence provides information needed to complete both the cause and effect portions of this diagram? a. The 1898 Spanish-American War led to world power status for the United States. b. The 1914 opening of the Panama Canal encouraged international trade. c. The 1919 Treaty of Versailles contributed to the start of World War II in Europe. d. The 1929 stock-market crash set off the Great Depression in the United States.

a. The 1898 Spanish-American War led to world power status for the United States.

U.S. control of the Philippines + Cuban independence + U.S. control of Puerto Rico + U.S. control of Guam = ? Which sentence provides information needed to complete both the cause and effect portions of this diagram? a. The 1898 Spanish-American War led to world power status for the United States. b. The 1914 opening of the Panama Canal encouraged international trade. c. The 1919 Treaty of Versailles contributed to the start of World War II in Europe. d. The 1929 stock-market crash set off the Great Depression in the United States.

a. The 1898 Spanish-American War led to world power status for the United States. At the end of the war, America had gained world power status because of its acquisition of territories across the globe. This is extremely similar to how Europe operated. Many people were upset at Americas new approach and its expansion as an empire. Recall the debates that were held and the juxtaposition of American Democracy.

What was one reason for the expansion of machine politics in the late nineteenth century? a. The rapid influx of immigrants made it difficult for local governments to provide basic services. b. Federal restrictions prevented voters from influencing government decisions at the local level. c. The economy was too tightly regulated to allow urban growth. d. Settlement houses failed to help immigrants adjust to life in the city.

a. The rapid influx of immigrants made it difficult for local governments to provide basic services.

Why did the Populist Party want free coinage of silver? a. To increase the amount of money in circulation b. To reduce economic inflation c. To raise campaign contribution limits d. To decrease the bargaining power of labor unions

a. To increase the amount of money in circulation This would help to drive down prices or products thereby making necessities more affordable for the average American. The Populist Party, headed up by William Jennings Bryan, had a gathering in Omaha. This gathering was known as the Omaha Platform where Bryan gave his famous speech known as "The Cross of Gold Speech".

Reasons for Economic Problems of the Gilded Age • Rapid growth of trusts and monopolies • Ruthless business tactics of robber barons • Use of unfair practices by the railroads such as rebates, pools, and differential rates One way the U.S. government responded to the problems caused by the conditions in the list above was by — a. passing the Interstate Commerce Act b. implementing the silver standard for currency c. creating a federal jobs program for the unemployed d. establishing a new tax on capital gains

a. passing the Interstate Commerce Act

Reasons for Economic Problems of the Gilded Age • Rapid growth of trusts and monopolies • Ruthless business tactics of robber barons • Use of unfair practices by the railroads such as rebates, pools, and differential rates One way the U.S. government responded to the problems caused by the conditions in the list above was by — a. passing the Interstate Commerce Act b. implementing the silver standard for currency c. creating a federal jobs program for the unemployed d. establishing a new tax on capital gains

a. passing the Interstate Commerce Act This act was intended to keep railroads from jacking up ticket rates on the American public. This is where railroads were happy to deal with the government because, not only was the government willing to work with private businesses, but these railroad companies were thrilled that by setting rates it ensured that other smaller startup railroads would not be able to afford a fixed ticket rate thereby reducing railroad company competition.

Recall Darwin's theory of evolution and the survival of the fittest where only the strong survive. Many Progressives opposed social Darwinism because it promoted the idea that — a. people in lower classes were not capable of economic success b. immigration weakened national unity c. the government should take responsibility for the well-being of people d. poverty could be eradicated through increased economic regulation

a. people in lower classes were not capable of economic success

During the Gilded Age there was a notable increase in federal support for — a. the growth of big business b. involvement in foreign wars c. the acquisition of foreign territories d. increased temperance regulations

a. the growth of big business

Why did the Senate reject the Treaty of Versailles? a. to keep the United States free from foreign entanglements b. to express opposition to the harsh sanctions imposed on Germany c. to avoid the dues for membership in the League of Nations d. to increase United States military forces in Europe

a. to keep the United States free from foreign entanglements

16th Amendment

allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census.

Which of the following best describes a direct primary? a. All party members vote for a candidate to run in the general election. b. All party members vote for delegates to the party's convention. c. The party's state legislators vote for a candidate to run in the general election. d. The party's state legislators vote for delegates to the party's convention.

b. All party members vote for delegates to the party's convention.

Which of the following was the main reason for the rapid settlement of the Great Plains during the late 1800s? a. Congress passed a law requiring all public lands to be sold at auction. b. Congress passed a law allowing people to claim public land and convert it to private property through homesteading. c. Speculators bought large parcels of land and then built factory towns to attract new immigrants. d. Native Americans sold most of their tribal lands directly to railroad companies.

b. Congress passed a law allowing people to claim public land and convert it to private property through homesteading.

Which pull factor contributed to the Great Migration? a. The availability of land grants for homesteaders b. Economic opportunities in industrialized cities c. Better soil conditions in previously uncultivated areas d. The lower cost of living in urban areas

b. Economic opportunities in industrialized cities

According to the concept of laissez-faire, prices and wages are best determined by the a. Federal government b. Free market c. Gross national product d. Individual states

b. Free market

"Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind." —Woodrow Wilson, speech to Congress requesting a declaration of war,April 2, 1917 According to President Wilson, why should war be declared? a. Property has been wrongly seized. b. German submarine attacks have killed innocent people. c. German submarines have stopped all trade routes. d. Innocent people have been killed in their homes.

b. German submarine attacks have killed innocent people.

How did the publication of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle contribute to a change in the relationship between government and business? a. Federal troops were mobilized to break strikes by labor unions. b. Government regulations requiring the inspection of food products were implemented. c. Congress created a regulatory agency to audit railroads. d. Laws were enacted that banned private companies from discriminating when hiring.

b. Government regulations requiring the inspection of food products were implemented.

How did the publication of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle contribute to a change in the relationship between government and business? a. Federal troops were mobilized to break strikes by labor unions. b. Government regulations requiring the inspection of food products were implemented. c. Congress created a regulatory agency to audit railroads. d. Laws were enacted that banned private companies from discriminating when hiring.

b. Government regulations requiring the inspection of food products were implemented. Sinclair was the dude who went undercover in a meat packing plant. He saw the horrid conditions of meat, how it was prepared, and many of the disgusting ingredients put into meat. Much of the meat was a health hazard and yet it was sold to unsuspecting Americans. Sinclair wrote about his experience in a book called The Jungle exposing the bad practices of meat packing companies. This eventually caused the US government to step in with meat regulations and establishing the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) to watch over food companies.

Following the Spanish American War, under the Treaty of Paris, the United States acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and a. Cuba. b. Guam. c. Panama. d. Samoa.

b. Guam.

Which outcome was an important effect of the 1898 voyage of the USS Oregon? a. Increased U.S. foreign aid to the developing countries in South America b. Increased U.S. public support for the construction of a canal through Central America c. Decreased U.S. economic influence in the Western Hemisphere d. Decreased U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean Sea

b. Increased U.S. public support for the construction of a canal through Central America We discussed this briefly in class. In response to the Spanish-American War, the US Navy sent its Eastern Fleet to Havana in Cuba. The Navy also wanted backup so it requested the USS Oregon to set sail from the West Coast. The Oregon was a technological wonder and made a quick voyage with no mechanical issues. Unfortunately it had to sail around the tip of South America, making the trip longer. The amount of time it took for the ship to arrive made Americans, who were in full nationalistic support for the Spanish-American War because of yellow journalism, realize the importance of having a canal built for defense purposes and economic reasons.

"I realize that, in speaking to you this afternoon, there are certain limitations placed upon the right of free speech. I must be exceedingly careful, prudent, as to what I say, and even more careful and prudent as to how I say it. I may not be able to say all I think; but I am not going to say anything that I do not think. I would rather a thousand times be a free soul in jail than to be a sycophant and coward in the streets."—Eugene V. Debs, speech in Canton, Ohio, June 16, 1918 9. Which statement about free speech would Eugene V. Debs be likely to agree with, based on the quote? a. Free speech should be limited in wartime. b. People have a right to be critical of public policy. c. Public criticism of the war effort is cowardly. d. Americans should carefully monitor their fellow citizens' words.

b. People have a right to be critical of public policy. Mr. Debs was arrested and jailed for 10 years for speaking out against the government. Debs was the head of the socialist party in America which, at the time, was tied heavily to Communism - which Americans were very fearful of.

Which of these contributed to the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment? a. Veteran soldiers protesting to obtain benefits b. The growing political influence of women c. Politicians campaigning for education reform d. The growing number of workers organizing into labor unions

b. The growing political influence of women

Puerto Rico •________________?_____________________________ • Residents granted U.S. citizenship in 1917 • Governors have been elected by popular vote since 1948 • Adopted both a constitution and commonwealth status in 1952 Which of the following best replaces the question mark in this list of information about Puerto Rico? a. Became a U.S. state during the Reconstruction era b. Was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War c. Signed an annexation treaty with the United States after World War I d. Was promised U.S. military protection as part of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points

b. Was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War

Some Progressives advocated socialism, or a. the absence of government. b. government ownership of business. c. government regulation of business. d. private ownership of business.

b. government ownership of business. Okay in our unit on WWI I explained Democracy, Socialism, and Communism. It looked kind of like this Communism Socialism Democracy Communism is total control by the government Socialism is a modified version of both Democracy and Communism where the state has some control over welfare programs and heavily regulates or owns business Democracy is freedom and businesses have little regulation. The market is run by people, not the government.

Which of the following progressive reforms permitted citizens to introduce legislation and required legislatures to vote on the legislation? a. direct primary b. initiative c. recall d. referendum

b. initiative Keep in mind that during the Progressive Era, it was all about reform, or change. Government had become corrupt from the Spoils System of government (this is where politicians would award jobs to friends who were unqualified for political office in exchange for votes, and financial support during the campaign.) Corruption was rampant and the belief was government needed to be reformed by getting people more involved in electing honest candidates that supported change.

The creation of initiative, referendum, and recall procedures during the Progressive Era resulted in — a. a system of separate schools for new immigrants b. the expansion of citizens' direct participation in the democratic process c. a redistribution of the tax burden among citizens d. more sources of revenue for state governments

b. the expansion of citizens' direct participation in the democratic process

Recall the voyage of the USS Oregon; President Roosevelt believed that having a canal through Central America would save time and money for commercial and military shipping and a. was necessary for maintaining influence in Asia. b. was vital to U.S. power in the world. c. would benefit the people of Central America. d. would establish a new market for U.S. goods.

b. was vital to U.S. power in the world.

Which of the following contributed most to increased settlement of the Great Plains? a. The availability of buffalo b. The discovery of precious metals c. A series of federal land grants d. Decrease in agricultural production

c. A series of federal land grants Remember the Homestead Act? This was the act that was controversial prior to the Civil War. It had difficulty getting passed because the government was concerned about new states being founded and tipping the balance of free states and slave states. Eventually Lincoln got this law passed. Americans were given acres of land to settle. The land was tough to farm and several new farming machines, such as a mechanical reaper and seeder were established to till the soil. Living out west was tough as people lived in grass huts (remember the letter the farmer sent to his wife trying to boast about how good things were when the really weren't and the advertisement the government put out trying to entice people to settle west)

What country made an offer to the Mexican government proposing that Mexico become its ally if the United States entered the European war? a. Bulgaria b. France c. Germany d. Russia

c. Germany

Which of these was a major goal of Jane Addams's Settlement House movement in Chicago? a. The founding of women's colleges b. The introduction of prison reform c. The assimilation of immigrants d. The establishment of public libraries

c. The assimilation of immigrants Assimilation means to integrate or to merge. Jane Addams's goal was to have new immigrants get quickly used to American culture and to have them join American society.

Which of the following occurred as a result of the Sherman Antitrust Act? a. Workers secured a greater share of company profits. b. The influence of labor unions on factory owners was reduced. c. The federal government could dissolve business monopolies. d. Businesses were required to pay fees to open overseas locations.

c. The federal government could dissolve business monopolies. This was extremely important and gave the federal government unprecidented powers never seen before. For the first time, government was in the business of regulating business which flew in the face of Laissez Faire economics (a FREE market economy with little or no rules)

Settlement of the Great Plains was promoted by the railroads and supported by a. Cattle ranchers b. Plow manufacturers c. The government d. The mining industry

c. The government

President Roosevelt thought that large business organizations were part of the reason for American prosperity, but he also believed that a. Large businesses would not abuse their power b. Industrialization threatened the nations natural resources c. The monopoly power of some trusts hurt the public interest d. Acting against trusts would divide the Republican Party

c. The monopoly power of some trusts hurt the public interest

During the nineteenth century, one way political bosses gained voter support was by — a. campaigning for women's suffrage b. advocating the use of poll taxes c. making improvements in urban infrastructure d. Providing public assistance for former slaves

c. making improvements in urban infrastructure

Some political cartoons were published during WWI when the US government passed laws about espionage and speaking out against the government. "I look upon the Espionage Law as a despotic enactment in flagrant conflict with democratic principles and with the spirit of free institutions. . . . I am opposed to the social system in which we live. . . . I believe in fundamental change, but if possible by peaceful and orderly means. . . ."—Eugene V. Debs Which of the following would Eugene Debs support? a. laws limiting free speech b. violent demonstrations against the Espionage Law c. peaceful rallies against the Espionage Law d. increased penalties for violating the Espionage Law

c. peaceful rallies against the Espionage Law

During the Progressive Era, one goal of state-level political reformers was to — a. prevent party leaders from amending campaign platforms b. increase the influence of business owners on regulatory legislation c. promote the principle of direct democracy d. limit the use of judicial review by circuit courts

c. promote the principle of direct democracy

Resolved, that it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective franchise. —Resolution from Seneca Falls Convention, July 1848 The goal of this resolution was eventually achieved with the — a. signing of the Civil Rights Act b. passage of Prohibition laws c. ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment d. creation of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps

c. ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment

"The object of this publication is to set forth those facts and arguments which show the danger of race prejudice. . . . It takes its name from the fact that the editors believe that this is a critical time in the history. . . . Catholicity and tolerance, reason and forbearance can today make the world-old dream of human brotherhood approach realization: while bigotry and prejudice, emphasized race consciousness and force can repeat the awful history of the contact of nations and groups in the past." —W.E.B. DU Bois, from The Crisis, the journal of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), November 1910 According to Du Bois, the journal of the NAACP was titled The Crisis because it a. advised African American readers how to respond to emergencies. b. focused on the dangers faced by many African Americans. c. was published at a critical moment in American history. d. responded to the 1908 race riots in Springfield, Illinois.

c. was published at a critical moment in American history. Pay attention to Du Bois. We will see him many times during the Jazz Age. He helped start the NAACP and the beginning stages of the Civil Rights in the 1900s. If you remember in class I put up a picture of the cover of the Crisis Journal which was the official journal for the NAACP.

How did the invention of the light bulb affect industry? a. Machines needed to be repaired less frequently. b. Products could be manufactured on an assembly line. c. Businesses needed to hire skilled workers. d. Factories could extend working hours.

d. Factories could extend working hours. With light, round the clock shifts became the norm. Unfortunately, this created longer and harsher working conditions for employees. Longer working hours would eventually lead to workers seeking rights to include fair pay and safer working conditions.

President Wilson's peace plan was known as the a. Zimmermann telegram. b. Sussex Pledge. c. Treaty of Versailles. d. Fourteen Points.

d. Fourteen Points.

Which group of people most likely went against immigration around the 1890s? a. Union leaders b. Political bosses c. Philanthropists d. Nativists

d. Nativists

Which of these resulted from the prohibition of alcohol during the 1920s? a. A decline in immigration rates b. A growing fear of communism c. The expansion of the consumer economy d. The rise of organized crime

d. The rise of organized crime When anything becomes illegal, more than likely it will appear on the black market. This underground sale of illegal stuff is usually run by seedy characters, especially the mob or Mafia. Alcohol was no exception. During the 1920s, Al Capone became the biggest mob character who was behind much of the bootlegging of alcohol. This crime wave of alcohol was eventually put in check by the Volstead Act which gave the US government the power to police the consumption and sale of all alcohol products.

1. The USS Maine sinks in Havana Harbor. 2. The U.S. Congress declares war. 3. The Treaty of Paris is signed. How did these events affect the United States? a. They increased public support for cuts in U.S. defense spending. b. They prompted the end of Dollar Diplomacy in Latin America. c. They set a precedent of including territorial acquisitions in settlements. d. They helped establish the United States as an imperial power similar to European nations.

d. They helped establish the United States as an imperial power similar to European nations.

As the Progressive movement gained momentum, many women realized that they needed the vote to a. achieve equality in the workplace. b. amend the Constitution. c. elect candidates who supported woman suffrage. d. promote reforms and pass labor laws.

d. promote reforms and pass labor laws.

Nineteenth-century nativist organizations advocated — a. limiting federal military power through the organization of local militias b. conserving natural resources through the creation of national parks c. globalizing the economy through participation in free-trade agreements d. promoting an ethnically homogeneous society through restrictions on immigration

d. promoting an ethnically homogeneous society through restrictions on immigration Again, all nativists despise immigration!

To help pay the costs of World War I, Congress a. encouraged meatless Tuesdays. b. lowered taxes. c. outlawed unions. d. sold Liberty Bonds.

d. sold Liberty Bonds. Remember the US government enlisted the help of famous actors to hold bond rallies on street corners. They would encourage Americans to invest in America by buying bonds. A bond essentially is a certificate issued by the government at a certain price. Americans would by these and, after a period of time, could redeem their investment and get their money back with interest after a period of time.

The United States became an imperial power as a result of a. the Boxer Rebellion. b. the Open Door policy. c. the Pan-American conference. d. the Spanish-American War.

d. the Spanish-American War.

17th Amendment

established the popular election of United States Senators by the people of the states.

18th Amendment

established the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States by declaring the production, transport, and sale of alcohol (though not the consumption or private possession) illegal.

19th Amendment

prohibits any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.