Gilded Age Review (Book)

Which goal was shared by both the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor?

• to help large corporations to increase their production

• to introduce new and innovative techniques to factories

• to promote immigration of skilled workers from Asia and Europe

• to organize workers to demand better conditions from employers

Answer explanation

Both the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor aimed to organize workers to demand better conditions from employers, focusing on labor rights and improving working conditions.

"...Anyone may say that the organizations of labor invade or deny liberty to the workmen. But go to the men who worked in the . . . coal mines twelve, fourteen, sixteen hours a day, for a dollar or a dollar and twenty five cents, and who now work eight hours a day and whose wages have increased 70 per cent in the past seven years — go tell those men that they have lost their liberty and they will laugh at you ...."

Based on this passage, what did the author see as a benefit of joining a union?

• Workers had gained better working conditions.

• Workers now worked longer hours in coal mines.

• Workers were able to work for a dollar and twenty five cents.

• Workers were able to have their children work in mines.

Answer explanation

The author highlights that joining a union led to better working conditions, as workers now had shorter hours and increased wages, demonstrating that their liberty was enhanced rather than diminished.

The Interstate Commerce Act (1887) and the Sherman Antitrust 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

Answer explanation

The Interstate Commerce Act and the Sherman Antitrust Act aimed to regulate aspects of business by addressing unfair practices and monopolies, promoting fair competition rather than favoring any specific business size.

In the late nineteenth century, critics of big business claimed that monopolies in the United states harmed the economy by -

• unfairly limiting competition

• decreasing the urban growth rate

• preventing technological innovation

• failing to keep pace with European industries

Answer explanation

Critics argued that monopolies harmed the economy by unfairly limiting competition, which stifled market dynamics and innovation, leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers.

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 of 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 activities?

Answer explanation

The philanthropic activities of business leaders during the Gilded Age raised the issue of whether it was ethical for them to pay low wages to workers while using their profits for charitable causes, highlighting a moral dilemma.

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 business

Answer explanation

The main purpose of antitrust legislation was to protect competition between private businesses, ensuring a fair marketplace and preventing monopolies that could harm consumers and stifle innovation.

Nativists in California in the 1880s would most likely have supported the -

• creation of settlement houses to aid new immigrants

• passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act

• continuation of the contract labor system

• assimilation of Native American Indians into mainstream culture

Answer explanation

Nativists in California in the 1880s were often anti-immigrant and supported measures like the Chinese Exclusion Act, which aimed to restrict immigration from China, reflecting their desire to limit foreign influence.

Which statement accurately describes the development of the Great Plains in the late nineteenth century?

• Great profits were earned there in the steel industry.

• Railroads contributed to increased farming on the Plains.

• Immigrants could not afford to farm these lands.

• Technological innovations failed to make farming profitable.

Answer explanation

Railroads played a crucial role in the late nineteenth century by facilitating the transport of goods and people, which significantly boosted farming activities on the Great Plains, making the correct statement about their contribution.

During the last part of the nineteenth century, most immigrants to the United States found work as -

• unskilled factory and sweatshop workers

• educated professionals

• scientists and technicians

• skilled craftsmen

Answer explanation

During the late 19th century, many immigrants were unskilled and found work in factories and sweatshops, which were the primary sources of employment for newcomers, unlike educated professionals or skilled craftsmen.

In the late nineteenth century, the "bosses" of urban political machines often_-__ _

• denied voting rights to the poor

• accepted bribes in return for favors

• wasted money on military spending

• discriminated against migrant workers

Answer explanation

In the late nineteenth century, urban political machine bosses often accepted bribes in return for favors, which was a common practice to maintain power and influence in local politics.