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WorksheetsAdvancements and Inventions in Railroads Worksheet
Total questions: 110
Worksheet time: 56mins
During which decade did transcontinental rail service begin in the United States?
1850–1860
1860–1870
1870–1880
1880–1890
What industry did the refrigerated railcar impact the most?
meatpacking
textile
farming
steelmaking
In 1860, how far west could a person travel by rail from New York?
only as far as Chicago
only as far as the Missouri River
all the way to the West Coast
What was a result of rail standardization?
Railways were able to transport meat without spoilage.
Trains provide cars with pull-down beds for overnight travel.
Trains from different rail lines could use each other's tracks.
Rail companies began to create their own styles of rails and tracks.
Which is an invention that improved safety for railway passengers?
refrigerated railcars
Pullman sleeping cars
rail standardization
air brakes
Which natural resource became more available to the American public as a result of railroad expansion?
wood
oil
coal
water
Railroads not only led to an increase in the ability to transport raw materials, but they also led to a(n)
increase in the need for raw materials.
increase in the demand for raw materials.
decrease in the uses of raw materials.
increase in the types of raw materials found in the United States.
List three natural resources made more available to the American public as a result of railroad expansion.
coal, oil, wood
gold, diamonds, copper
sugar, tea, coffee
cotton, silk, spices
In the late 1800s, the growth of the railroad led to Midwestern cities like Minneapolis and Cleveland becoming
agricultural centers.
industrial centers.
lumber centers.
unstructured territories.
Which invention was most important in revolutionizing the meat industry?
air brakes
knuckle couplers
the Pullman car
the refrigerator car
Which industry benefited most from the Bessemer process?
petrol
coal
steel
meatpacking
How did the growth of the rail networks impact the meatpacking industry?
The meatpacking industry shrank because the demand for other natural resources increased.
The meatpacking industry grew because the cattle population increased.
The meatpacking industry grew because railroads were used to deliver large quantities of meat from processing plants to locations across the country.
The meatpacking industry shrank because there was no safe way to transport meat on rail cars.
During the Second Industrial Revolution, which building material became one of the most important in the world?
brick
wood
stone
steel
What impact did railroads have on cities across the United States at the turn of the twentieth century?
Many cities became industrial centers.
Many cities saw a decrease in population.
Many cities became agriculture centers.
The railroads had minimal impact on cities across the United States.
According to the lessons, what was the state of the steel industry in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century?
The steel industry became the sole industry in the United States.
The United States became the world leader in steel production.
The United States became the number one importer of steel.
The steel industry saw little growth at the turn of the twentieth century.
How did railroad expansion make natural resources more available in the US?
by increasing the amount of natural resource deposits
by making it possible for natural resources to be transported to different cities and towns
by using natural resources to build tracks and train equipment
by transporting people to cities and towns where they could purchase natural resources
The expansion of the railroad directly led to economic growth in the US because
railroads allowed competition between different industries.
railroads increased employment in towns all over the country.
railroads made resources and products easier to transport.
railroads led to increased prices of newly available products and resources.
The Second Industrial Revolution in the United States lasted from the
end of the American Revolution to 1880.
Civil War to 1890.
Civil War to 1900.
end of the Civil War to 1865.
The period from 1865 to 1900, known as the Gilded Age, was marked by
economic boom and unemployment.
unemployment and social change.
economic recession and social change.
economic growth and social change.
The development of a system of mass production in manufacturing meant that
machines rapidly produced large amounts of product.
products were handmade.
products were made in foreign countries.
individuals slowly made small amounts of product.
How did the development of the Bessemer process affect the growth of cities?
It enabled mass production of steel, which was used to build new factories.
It made the mass production of steel, which supported expanding factories.
It led to the invention of the telegraph, which made business communications more efficient.
According to the videos, the manufacturing of products in the United States
greatly increased from 1800 to 1900.
greatly decreased from the time of the Civil War to 1900.
slowly increased after 1880.
slowly decreased in 1800 and again in 1900.
Describe the reasons the US became more industrialized after the Civil War.
The US became more industrialized after the Civil War due to rapid economic growth, high unemployment among unskilled workers, and social change.
The US became more industrialized after the Civil War due to a decline in technology and reduced trade.
The US became more industrialized after the Civil War because of a decrease in population and agricultural expansion.
The US became more industrialized after the Civil War due to isolation from global markets and fewer natural resources.
The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in
1835.
1859.
1869.
1888.
How did the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad affect companies that made products?
Companies could locate factories in the rural West.
Companies could expand into the South.
Companies could ship goods cheaply.
Companies could ship goods cheaply.
Between 1870 and 1890, which area had the greatest increase in railroads and, as a result, the most significant economic growth?
New England
the South
Western states and territories
the middle states
What impact did the expansion of railroads in the West have on the American Indians who lived there?
They were displaced from their tribal lands.
They moved into towns and lived among the new settlers.
They stopped farming and took jobs in factories.
They were forced to move to Mexico.
Which of the following statements best describes environmental changes caused by westward railroad expansion?
Railroad expansion led to significant environmental changes, such as the alteration of landscapes, destruction of animal habitats, and increased settlement and resource extraction.
Railroad expansion had little to no impact on the environment, as most tracks were built on already barren land.
Railroad expansion improved the environment by increasing forested areas and reducing pollution.
Railroad expansion caused environmental changes only in urban areas, leaving rural landscapes untouched.
Explain the demographic changes that resulted from industrialization. Many people who immigrated to the United States during the Gilded Age moved to rural Southern areas, where they established their own farms. Western areas, where they managed cattle ranches. Urban areas, where they worked at factories.
Rural Southern areas, where they established their own farms.
Western areas, where they managed cattle ranches.
Urban areas, where they worked at factories.
Which statement best summarizes what US manufacturing had accomplished by 1900?
US manufacturing had surpassed industrialized Britain, and the United States had become the world's largest producer.
US manufacturing had surpassed industrialized China, and the United States had become the world's largest producer.
US manufacturing had surpassed industrialized Russia, and the United States had become the world's largest producer.
US manufacturing had surpassed industrialized Latin American countries, and the United States had become the world's largest producer.
What was one major effect of industrialization on American society?
More people received higher education.
More people won better health care and benefits.
More people took up family farming.
More people moved to urban areas.
Industrialization resulted in what changes to American society?
economic growth and increased urbanization
immigration and an increase in workers' benefits
the growth of public education and urbanization
increased opportunities for skilled workers and women's equality
Any political movement that represents the interests of the 'common people' is known as ________.
populism
elitism
monarchism
technocracy
In 1892, the first national convention of the People's Party was held in
Omaha, Nebraska.
San Francisco, California.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
San Antonio, Texas.
Which of the following was a factor that contributed to the formation of the People's Party in 1891?
A. Farmers wanted to own their own banks and railroads.
B. Farmers wanted help paying with large businesses.
C. Farmers wanted higher commodity prices and dropping costs.
D. Farmers wanted a political party that represented their interests.
Describe the factors leading to the rise of Populism in the West, and explain the effects of the movement in America.
industrialists
farmers
Democrats
Republicans
Which event in the history of the Populist movement happened first?
A. Bryan spoke for 'free silver.'
B. The Populist Party was formed.
C. The Omaha Platform was presented.
What did Populists see as their signs on whether achieving some success on a local level in the late 1800s?
the formation of a national labor union
the establishment of their own gold currency
the formation of a national political party
the creation of Populist groups in each state
How did the Knights of Labor impact the Populist movement in the late 1800s?
The Knights of Labor were involved in the creation of granges and farmers' alliances in the late 1800s.
The Knights of Labor were a factor in the formation of the Populist Party in the late 1800s.
The Knights of Labor led to the widespread circulation of free silver coinage in the late 1800s.
The Knights of Labor led to the 1896 election of William Jennings Bryan in the late 1800s.
Describe reforms or changes desired by members of the Populist Party. In 1892, the People's Party convention produced
the Populist Platform.
the gold standard.
the Republican Party.
the Knights of Labor.
Objective: The Populist Party desired which of the following reforms or changes?
Government ownership of railroads
Abolition of the Bill of Rights
Support for monarchy
Opposition to free silver
Which of the following was an Omaha Platform proposal for labor reform?
end the child labor
a work week limited to five days
a work day limited to eight hours
safer working conditions
The People’s Party supported fighting deflation by circulating
more paper currency
more silver coins
fewer silver coins
fewer gold coins
In the late 1800s, which of the following did the People’s Party believe would give the people more political power?
extending the free election of senators
decreasing the amount of direct election
choosing senators through direct election
increasing the amount of gold in circulation
As part of the Omaha Platform, the People’s Party demanded that
people who made more money pay a lower percentage in taxes.
companies and corporations should not have to pay any taxes at all.
all graduated income tax system helped to benefit the wealthy.
people who made more money pay a higher percentage in taxes.
In the late 1800s, why did industrialists support the gold standard?
The gold standard kept the price of gold flexible, which made the value of currency go up and down.
The gold standard kept the price of gold fixed, which kept both prices and wages down.
The gold standard kept the price of gold fixed, which caused wages to steadily increase.
The gold standard kept the price of gold flexible, which also made the price of silver flexible.
The famous speech that William Jennings Bryan gave at the Democratic convention of 1896 became known as the
the "Free Silver" speech
the "Gold Standard" speech
the "Cross of Gold" speech
the "Common People" speech
In his 1896 bid for president, William Jennings Bryan was supported by both the
Democratic and Republican parties
Populist and Republican parties
People’s and the Democratic parties
People’s and the Democratic parties.
Following the 1896 presidential election, the two major political parties
Democratic and Republican parties
Federalist and Whig parties
Populist and Greenback parties
Libertarian and Socialist parties
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s.
because many soldiers decided not to return to their farms.
because many formerly enslaved workers left the South.
because farmers faced increased costs and decreased income.
because agriculture received a greater spotlight in the political arena.
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s. In the crop-lien system that developed after the Civil War, both farmers and landowners promised to pay for goods with future earnings.
paid for goods with cash from crop sales.
promised to pay for goods by crops for shop credit.
promised to pay for goods by selling their land.
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s. After the Civil War, farming greatly increased in which region?
The South.
The West.
The North.
The East.
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s. How did the railroad system help farmers on the Great Plains in the late 1800s?
by making the crop-lien system unnecessary
by creating larger markets and making shipping easier
by decreasing the lands available for farming
by increasing the high rates paid to store shipping
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s. In the decades after the Civil War, how did the railroads hurt farmers financially?
by keeping crop prices from falling
by charging smaller farmers higher rates
by refusing to store crops in grain elevators
Describe the economic challenges facing America's farmers in the late 1800s.
Railroads helped farmers by opening up new territory but hurt farmers by charging high rates for the land.
Railroads helped farmers by opening crops to new markets but hurt farmers by charging high shipping rates.
Railroads helped farmers by creating new markets but hurt farmers by buying up farmland.
Railroads helped farmers by buying up new farmland but hurt farmers by charging high crop storage rates.
Explain how farmers used collectives, such as the Grange, to cut costs and advocate for change. Why did American farmers organize collectives after the Civil War?
to cut costs and advocate for change
to create a political party
In the late 1800s, the Grange was arranged so that farmers joined
a national organization.
a local organization.
a regional organization.
a state organization.
How did the 1877 Supreme Court case Munn v. Illinois affect farming?
A. States could regulate railroads, which helped railroads make more money.
B. States could regulate railroads, which resulted in fairer treatment for farmers.
C. Farmers could use railroads to store crops in grain elevators for farmers.
D. Farmers could no longer use railroads to ship their crops to new markets.
What was a direct effect of the Grange's businesses failing in the late 1800s?
The Grange's influence weakened.
The Grange generated a political party.
The Grange developed farmers' cooperatives.
The Grange offered farmers insurance.
In the late 1800s, the Farmers' Alliances replaced
the Populist Party.
the Democratic Party.
the Republican Party.
the National Grange.
In the 1890s, the focus of the Farmers' Alliances was to organize
strong local groups.
large regional groups.
small state groups.
one large national group.
Both the National Grange and the Farmers' Alliances worked to
lower railroad rates.
form a political party.
reform the crop-lien system.
reform the sharecropping system.
In 1890, Mary E. Lease led the Farmers' Alliances to
run Democratic candidates for office.
run Republican candidates for office.
revolt against the use of grain elevators.
revolt against high mortgage rates.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Farmers' Alliances in addressing farmers' issues and creating political change. What was the primary goal of the Populist Party?
to challenge the Farmers' Alliances
to represent farmers' interests
to stop railroads from operating
to represent business owners
When did the Farmers' Alliance form the Populist Party, which was also known as the People's Party?
1861
1871
1881
1891
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
live freely on unoccupied lands.
divide their land into 160-acre plots.
sell unoccupied lands.
live confined on reservations.
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region. In the reservation system, American Indian tribes were confined to assigned land with ________ borders.
defined
invisible
shared
unmarked
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
The Indian Appropriations Act of 1851 allowed white settlers to claim tribal lands as homesteaders.
The Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 meant that tribes were no longer classified as independent nations.
The Indian Appropriations Act of 1885 allowed white settlers to claim tribal lands as homesteaders.
The Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 meant that tribes were no longer classified as independent nations.
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
nomadic
urbanized
industrialized
agricultural
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
encouraged to speak their native language.
forbidden to speak their native language.
encouraged to learn many languages.
forbidden to learn English.
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
the completion of the transcontinental railroad.
the passing of the Indian Appropriations Act.
the defeat of American Indians at the battle at Wounded Knee.
the institution of the reservation system.
Explain how the expansion in the West and the construction of the railroad affected American Indian populations in the region.
The Dawes Act was passed to make American Indians property owners and to open up more land for white settlers.
The Dawes Act was passed to open up more land for American Indians and to provide protection from white settlers.
The Dawes Act was passed to take land away from American Indians and to move them to reservations.
The Dawes Act was passed to give American Indian families farmland and to end homesteading by white settlers.
Describe a change to federal American Indian policies that occurred as a result of increased western settlement.
A. had gained more land than they held in 1881.
B. had lost all of the land they held in 1881.
C. had lost half of the land they held in 1881.
D. had kept all of the land they held in 1881.
Describe a change to federal American Indian policies that occurred as a result of increased western settlement. What was the major change for American Indians at the end of the allotment system?
American Indians lost their land.
American Indians gained land.
American Indians competed with settlers for land.
American Indians farmed with settlers.
Describe at least two changes to federal American Indian policies that occurred as a result of increased western settlement. How did the policy of allotment impact American Indians?
Many American Indian families received one hundred sixty acres of land to farm.
Many American Indian families were never allowed to leave their one hundred sixty acre plot of land.
Many American Indian families combined their one hundred sixty acres to farm communally.
Many American Indian families traded their one hundred sixty acres to gain wealth.
Describe a change to federal American Indian policies that occurred as a result of increased western settlement.
made an effort to succeed at farming but often failed.
were granted full citizenship and voting rights immediately.
were allowed to keep all their ancestral lands without interference.
were encouraged to form independent nations within U.S. borders.
In the 1870s, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, the federal government first tried to
relocate all Sioux nations to the reservation.
call on the US military to resolve the claim issues.
sign a new treaty with the area's tribal chiefs.
buy the area from the American Indian nations.
Two changes to federal American Indian policies that occurred as a result of increased western settlement were:
The establishment of reservations and the passage of the Dawes Act
The granting of full citizenship and voting rights to all Native Americans
The creation of new tribal governments and expansion of tribal lands
The immediate end of all conflicts between settlers and Native Americans
Which statement best describes the impact of the discovery of gold on American Indian territory in the 1850s and 1870s?
War broke out among American Indian groups when warring chiefs signed new treaties with the government.
War broke out when settlers pressured the government to take the land from American Indians.
War broke out among American Indian groups when some groups sold their land to the government.
War broke out when white settlers tried to buy land from warring American Indian groups.
Which of the following best explains why the Battle of Little Bighorn is sometimes referred to as 'Custer’s Last Stand'?
The Battle of Little Bighorn resulted in the death of General Custer and all two hundred of his troops.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was where General Custer’s last battle before he retired from the military.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was the last conflict the US military engaged in with the Sioux Indians.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was the last battle of the American Indian Wars of the late 1800s.
They raised their eyes to heaven, their hands clasped high above their heads, and stood straight and perfectly still, invoking the power of the Great Spirit to allow them to see and talk with their people who had died ... They would go as fast as they could, their hands moving from side to side.
the ritualized movements of Sioux Indians during a Ghost Dance ceremony
the horror felt when they opened their hands after the Sand Creek Massacre
the celebratory reaction to the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie
the battle tactics of Sioux warriors that began after the Battle of Little Bighorn
Which conflict between the Sioux and the US military at Wounded Knee marked
the beginning of the American Indian Wars.
the final battle in the American Indian Wars.
the beginning of the Ghost Dance movement.
the end of the reservation system in the West.
What was true of American Indian tribes under the Indian Appropriations Act?
The United States government agreed to sign treaties with all tribes.
Tribes were no longer considered to be independent nations.
Tribe members were no longer wards of the government.
The United States government helped tribes keep their cultural identity.
Supporters of the Dawes Act said the act would help American Indians to
keep traditions and customs.
increase property.
educate children.
become farmers.
As white settlement increased, the government began to set aside land called ______ for American Indian groups.
reservations
plantations
colonies
territories
Describe the challenges faced during construction of the transcontinental railroad. Which of the issues apparent in Congress over the transcontinental railroad concerned the geographic direction of the railroad?
the money needed for the railroad
the lack of available workers to build the railroad
where the railroad should run.
How did Abraham Lincoln affect the construction of the transcontinental railroad?
Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 into law, which stimulated the construction of the railroad.
Lincoln appointed Theodore Judah to survey the land and locate investors for the transcontinental railroad.
Lincoln obstructed the passage of the railroad bill because he wanted the government to focus on the Civil War.
Lincoln prevented Leland Stanford from running one of the two railroad companies in order to avoid a monopoly.
Which statement best explains why the transcontinental railroad took several years to build?
Digging through two mountain was very difficult, and the long winters hampered workers' ability to make progress.
Several Civil War battles took place where the railroad was being built, so workers had to wait for the land to be clear and safe.
A divided Congress continued fighting over funding for the railroad, leading to work stoppages every few months.
Chinese immigrants engaged in frequent clashes with rail workers, so work stopped while safety measures were adopted.
Materials that had to be shipped to Central Pacific workers included
coal and oil.
silver and machinery.
oil and gold.
iron and machinery.
Materials used to build the Central Pacific Railroad were shipped across North America
from west to east.
around South America.
from north to south.
from east to west.
How did the completion of the transcontinental railroad change the lives of American citizens?
It made cross-country travel too expensive for ordinary Americans.
It decreased the safety of Americans who moved to settle the plains.
It shortened travel time between the East and West for all Americans.
It increased the wealth of all Americans and enabled them to travel more.
How did the transcontinental railroad affect US commerce?
The railroad decreased commerce by making shipping more expensive.
The railroad increased commerce by making shipping easier and cheaper.
The railroad led to major corruption in business, which hurt commerce.
The railroad decreased commerce by making trading posts disappear.
The construction of railroads in the western United States had which of the following effects?
It encouraged settlement, boosted the economy, and displaced Native Americans.
It led to the decline of agriculture, reduced migration, and increased isolation.
It caused a decrease in trade, limited transportation, and preserved Native lands.
It discouraged urban growth, lowered land values, and reduced communication.
The construction of railroads in the western United States had several effects. Which of the following lists three effects and describes the impact on Indigenous People?
Increased settlement, economic growth, displacement of Indigenous People, and loss of their lands
Decreased migration, improved Indigenous rights, and reduced economic activity
Decline in population, fewer towns, and improved relations with Indigenous People
No change in settlement, economic decline, and protection of Indigenous lands
After the completion of the railroad, a major industry in the West was
ranching
banking
mining
fishing
The town that was originally built to serve the railroads was
Cheyenne
San Francisco
New York
Omaha
Describe how the passage of the Homestead Act and analyze its effects on the settlement of the west. What did the Homestead Act of 1862 make possible for millions of people to achieve - including former slaves, women, immigrants, and men?
acquiring immense wealth
owning a farm
living in a brick house
moving to a big city
The passage of the Homestead Act led to which of the following outcomes regarding the settlement of the West and conflicts with Indigenous People?
It encouraged westward settlement by offering land to settlers, leading to increased conflicts with Indigenous People that were often resolved through forced removal and military action.
It discouraged westward expansion and protected Indigenous lands from settlement.
It resulted in peaceful coexistence between homesteaders and Indigenous People, with land shared equally.
It had no significant impact on the settlement of the West or on Indigenous communities.
How long did someone who received a parcel of land under the Homestead Act had to live on that land for at least
six months
two years
five years
ten years
Which of the following was the main reason that the federal government created a method for Native Americans to become U.S. citizens?
. to reduce the amount of money spent supporting Native Americans
to encourage Native Americans to assimilate into mainstream society
to undermine the legal basis of the treaties made with Native American tribes
to guarantee that Native Americans enjoyed constitutionally protected civil rights
Why did the development of time zones make train schedules more reliable?
Time zones set the entire country to the same time.
Time zones measured time locally instead of country-wide.
Time zones made sure that each state was in only one zone.
Time zones created a standard of time that all trains followed.
Which best explains how railroad companies were able to standardize their timetables in 1883?
by combining into a single railway company
by working together voluntarily
by unionizing their labor forces
by complying with federal legislation
How did the railroads impact the relationship between eastern cities and the Great Plains?
Railroads brought settlers to cities in the East, and crops and food to farms in the Great Plains.
Railroads brought crops and food to cities in the East, and settlers to farms in the Great Plains.
Railroads brought settlers west, but did not bring anything east, so the relationship was not equal.
Railroads brought crops and food east, but did not bring anything west, so the relationship was not equal.
In the mid to late 1800s, the US government granted land to railroad companies to expand their networks. What is another way that railroad companies used the land?
They mined the land for coal and other natural resources.
They sold the land to farmers and ranchers.
They built factories along the rail lines.
They created land preservations in order to protect the environment.
The growth of business led to the development of a new type of business organization called the corporation. Which of the following was a characteristic of a corporation?
Each of the company’s stockholders was legally responsible if the company went bankrupt.
Only the owner of the company was legally responsible if the company went bankrupt.
None of the company’s stockholders was legally responsible if the company went bankrupt.
The federal government was legally responsible if the company went bankrupt.
What is one reason why the expansion of the railroads caused prices of products to drop during the Gilded Age?
Railroads provided transportation for products to markets in rural areas of the South.
Railroads provided cheap and fast transportation for both raw materials and products.
Railroads provided fast transportation of raw materials to ports for overseas shipments.
Railroads provided expensive but fast transportation of raw materials and products
Population growth during the Gilded Age was due in large part to
unemployment among workers.
an improved food supply.
better health care.
immigration to the United States.
Populists believed that bankers, landowners, and political parties
were in constant conflict at the expense of important issues.
had taken over the Knights of Labor along with other labor unions.
supported collective action to achieve prosperity for all.
worked together to keep control of the US in the hands of the wealthy.
Read the quotation from the Omaha Platform.
“The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a few, unprecedented in the history of mankind; and the possessors of those, in turn, despise the republic and endanger liberty. From the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes—tramps and millionaires.”
What sentence best summarizes the above quotation?
The “common people” often take advantage of the wealthy class.
The wealthy often profit from the hard work of the lower class.
The wealthy succeed because they are stronger than the lower class.
There are three economic classes: the rich, the poor, and the middle class.
Which of the following best describes William Jennings Bryan’s political experience
Bryan served as the governor of Nebraska and as secretary of state.
Bryan served as a congressman and as the attorney general.
Bryan served as secretary of state and a congressman.
Bryan served as vice president.
