The Gilded Age

Which example best defines a historical era?

• A collection of art by a world-renowned artist

• A period of time characterized by a certain political, social, or economic event

• A genre of music specific to a region of a country

• A piece of landmark legislation passed during a congressional session

During the Gilded Age there was a notable increase in federal support for...

• the growth of big business

• involvement in foreign wars

• the acquisition of foreign territories

• increased temperance regulations

Which factor contributed MOST to these changes?

• The rising costs of national defense

• Threats posed by immigrant radicals

• Abuses of the spoils system by political machines

• The inefficiency of large corporations

Which action is best described by the excerpt?

• Elected leaders helped immigrants to assimilate to life in the United States

• Political machines justified corruption while providing benefits to communities

• Progressive leaders protested eminent domain laws in the United States

• Muckrakers tried to uncover government scandals in urban communities

This legislation affected how federal employees were hired. The law now required government jobs to be...

• based on the political party affiliation of the applicant

• determined by a merit system based on civil service examinations

• Based on the approval of lawmakers

• set aside for business executives of large corporations

During the nineteenth century, one way political bosses gained voter support was by...

• campaigning for women's suffrage

• advocating the use of poll taxes

• making improvements in urban infrastructure

• providing public assistance for former slaves

What was one direct effect of the business practice discussed in this excerpt?

• Employees were prevented from buying stock

• There was decreased competition among producers

• Consumers were denied access to goods

• There was a lack of employment opportunities

Which result completes this diagram?

• Ratification of a suffrage amendment

• Building of the transcontinental railroad

• Passage of prohibition legislation

• Expansion of labor unions

The Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor developed in response to the...

• increased need to protect worker interests

• decreased power of political machines

• increased demand for skilled workers

• decreased profitability of agricultural sector

Which of the following occurred between 1865 and 1900 as a result of the rapid industrialization of the United States?

• Social and economic class divisions began to disappear

• Concerns about air pollution led to stricter environmental regulations

• Union membership increased as workers sought better pay and conditions

• Factory owners introducted wage-equity policies for women in the workplace