Gilded Age- Industrialization and Urbanization

In the late 1800s, which factor directly contributed to the growth of the American steel industry?

• government regulation

• employee ownership

• new production techniques

• the formation of labor unions

The Interstate Commerce Act (1887) and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) were efforts by the federal government to-

• regulate aspects of business

• expand the positive features of the trusts

• favor big businesses over small companies

• move toward government ownership of key industries

In the late 19th century, critics of big business claimed that monopolies in the U.S. harmed the economy by-

• unfairly limiting competition

• decreasing the urban growth rate

• preventing technological innovation

• failing to keep pace with European industries

During the late 1800s, what was a major effect of industrialization on American workers?

• membership in labor unions declined

• workers migrated to rural regions

• most factory jobs became service industry jobs

• skilled craftsmen were often replaced by unskilled machine operators

What social issue was raised by the philanthropic activities of many American business leaders during the Gilded Age?

• should private industries be taken over by worker organizations?

• were American businesses charging too much for their products?

• should state governments limit the philanthropic activities of private citizens?

• was it right for business owners to pay low wages to their workers to finance philanthropic events?

Which best describes a positive contribution of Andrew Carnegie?

• helped workers obtain better conditions in his factories

• showed how to organize large-scale production as well as how to use profits in philanthropic activities

• obtained secret rebates from railroad companies shipping his products

• obtained near monopoly control of one part of a national industry, rather than engaging in several related activities

Which was an important benefit of the laissez-fair policies of the federal government in the late 19th century?

• American entrepreneurs were able to invest in their businesses with little government interference

• American businesses were able to avoid the ups and downs of the business cycle

• American workers found it easy to organize into labor unions

• American workers felt secure about the safety conditions in factories

During the period from 1865-1900, disputes between labor unions and business owners were sometimes marked by-

• the use of violence by both sides

• cooperative efforts to resolve differences

• government support for striking workers

• negotiations by the federal government

What was the main purpose of the antitrust legislation passed by Congress?

• to promote corporate consolidation

• to restrict foreign access to American markets

• to protect competition between private businesses

• to reduce the average size of of business

The statement "God gave me my money. I believe the power to make money is a gift from God to be developed and used for the good of mankind," was probably said by-

• John D. Rockefeller

• Terrence Powderly

• Samuel Gompers

• Thomas Edison