U.S. History: Key Events and Movements

The video discusses the expansion of the United States, including the purchase of Alaska in 1867, and the rapid westward movement facilitated by the Transcontinental Railroad. It covers the Morrill Act and the Homestead Act, which provided land for education and settlement. Challenges faced by farmers, such as economic cycles and railroad exploitation, are highlighted. The Grange movement and the rise of Populism aimed to address these issues through political reforms.

What was the primary reason the United States decided to purchase Alaska from Russia?

• To establish a military base

• To strengthen ties with Russia after the Civil War

• To access rumored resources like furs and gold

• To expand its territory

Which infrastructure development significantly contributed to the rapid settlement of the western United States?

• The construction of highways

• The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

• The establishment of air travel routes

• The building of canals

What was the impact of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts?

• They provided land for military bases

• They supported the establishment of state universities

• They funded the construction of railroads

• They offered tax incentives to settlers

What was a major challenge faced by settlers under the Homestead Act?

• Lack of government support

• Inadequate land size and drought

• High taxes on land

• Hostile relations with Native Americans

How did corporations exploit the Homestead Act?

• By purchasing land directly from settlers

• By bribing government officials

• By lobbying for changes in the law

• By using fake homesteaders to claim land

What was the original purpose of The Grange movement?

• To fight against railroad companies

• To provide a social and educational outlet for farm families

• To lobby for government subsidies

• To promote industrialization

What economic cycle trapped many farmers in the late 1800s?

• Decreasing demand for agricultural products

• Stable crop prices and high interest rates

• Rising crop prices and falling land values

• Falling crop prices and increasing debt

Which organization was founded by Oliver Hudson Kelley in 1867?

• The Farmers' Alliance

• The Grange

• The Populist Party

• The Agricultural League

Which of the following was NOT a reform demanded by the Populist Party?

• Direct election of senators

• A federal loan program

• An eight-hour workday

• Abolition of the income tax

What was a key success of the Populist Party in its first year?

• Winning the presidential election

• Electing five senators and three governors

• Passing major legislation

• Forming a coalition with the Republican Party