Exam Practice 2: Chapter 14: US History

What major contribution did Chinese immigrants make to the transcontinental railroad?

• They were the primary investors in railroad companies.

• They built most of the western portion of the railroad, often under dangerous conditions.

• They introduced innovative railroad construction techniques.

• They provided funds for railroad expansion through taxation.

What was the primary significance of the Bessemer Process for the U.S. economy?

• It improved agricultural production.

• It made steel production faster and cheaper, enabling industrial growth.

• It increased reliance on British technology.

• It created a new energy source for factories.

What was the outcome of the Pullman Strike in 1894?

• Workers successfully negotiated higher wages.

• The strike was broken by federal troops sent by President Cleveland.

• Pullman agreed to reduce rents in company housing.

• The federal government supported labor unions for the first time.

What was the main purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act?

• To nationalize the railroad industry

• To regulate railroad rates and practices

• To subsidize railroad expansion

• To privatize the railway system

What did critics mean by calling industrialists like Rockefeller and Carnegie “Robber Barons”?

• They believed these men enriched themselves through exploitative and unethical practices.

• They accused them of avoiding taxation.

• They claimed these men were unskilled in business.

• They argued these men supported labor unions.

What was the significance of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890?

• It established federal protections for labor unions.

• It allowed the government to break up monopolies and trusts.

• It guaranteed a minimum wage for factory workers.

• It regulated railroad rates for farmers.

What was the key difference between the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?

• The Knights of Labor only allowed skilled workers, while the AFL included all workers.

• The Knights of Labor included both skilled and unskilled workers, while the AFL focused on skilled labor.

• The AFL advocated for strikes, while the Knights of Labor opposed them.

• The Knights of Labor supported segregation, while the AFL did not.

Which statement best describes Social Darwinism?

• Government regulation is essential for economic fairness.

• Only the strongest businesses will survive in a competitive market.

• Society should focus on supporting its weakest members.

• Economic success is primarily determined by government policies.

What was the primary goal of labor strikes in the late 19th century?

• To support monopolistic business practices

• To demand higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions

• To gain ownership of factories

• To protest against government involvement in business

What caused the Panic of 1893?

• The collapse of overbuilt railroads and major financial institutions

• A shortage of labor for industrial growth

• Excessive government regulations on businesses

• The nationalization of the railroad industry