Chapter 19 Flashcards
The political activity of the late 1800s can best be described by the statement that
politicians did not address the problems caused by the rapid social and economic changes of the times
Of the eligible voters, voter turnout between 1860 and 1900 averaged
over three quarters
In the late 1800s, most Americans engaged in political activity because of their
regional, ethnic, or religious sentiments
Political party loyalties of the late 1800s tended to remain stable because
voting patterns were determined by vague cultural inclinations
During the late 1800s, the federal government had a reputation for
being very active in reform movements
During the late 1800s, the only significant form of federal assistance to individuals was
the Civil War veterans’ pension
During the late 1800s, the function of the president was to
spend much of his time making political appointments
In the political battles of the late 1800s, the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds were
two rival factions within the Republican party who fought over political patronage
The assassination of James A. Garfield occurred as a result of the conflict between
Stalwarts and Half-Breeds
The purpose of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 was to
fill some government jobs on the basis of competitive examinations
The election of 1884 was typical of national contests in the late 1800s because of its emphasis on
personalities rather than policies
Going into the election season of 1884, Grover Cleveland was respected for
his consistent opposition to corrupt politicians and interest groups
Grover Cleveland lost the election of 1888 partly because of the issue of
lowering tariffs
In the mid-1880s, many members of the public wanted federal antitrust regulation because
corporations could move to states that offered special protection to them
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 declared illegal any contract, trust, or restraint of trade in
interstate commerce
Because of the Republican passage of a high protective tariff in 1890, the next two national elections resulted in
substantial victories by the Democrats
The Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894 was significant because it contained
a substantial decrease in the general tariff
The Supreme Court eventually overturned the Granger Laws of the 1870s on grounds that
state regulation of freight rates was an unconstitutional attempt to control interstate commerce
When it was first created in 1887, the Interstate Commerce Commission was designed to regulate
railroads
The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 was essentially ineffective for the first twenty years after its passage because
it was haphazardly enforced and was narrowly interpreted by the courts
The Grange attempted to counteract economic hardships by its
forming market cooperatives and attempting to curb the monopolistic practices of warehouses
The Grange declined in power in the 1870s because of
the defeat of the Granger laws and the political inexperience of its leaders
One of the primary beliefs of the Farmers’ Alliances was that
too much power was in the hands of a few corporations and financial institutions
The Farmers’ Alliances had an intense dislike for all of the following groups in society except
politically active women
Populist party leaders of the early 1890s included all of the following people except
William Jennings Bryan
