Gilded Age and Progessive Era Flashcards
In the period from 1865 to 1900, the United States Government aided the development of the West by
1) maintaining free and unlimited coinage of silver
2) offering low-interest loans to businesses
3) granting land to railroad companies
4) providing price supports for farm products
3)granting land to railroad companies
In the United States, the main purpose of antitrust legislation is to
1) protect the environment
2) increase competition in business
3) encourage the growth of monopolies
4) Tax rich people
2)increase competition in business
The Federal Trade Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission are similar in that each
1) represents the interests of big business
2) is specifically provided for in the United States Constitution
3) has the power to formulate and enforce regulations
4) must get approval from the states to carry out national laws
3) has the power to formulate and enforce regulations
“Prices and wages should be determined by the marketplace.” The author of this statement would most probably support
1) government ownership of utilities
2) minimum-wage laws
3) wage and price controls
4) laissez-faire capitalism
4) laissez-faire capitalism
After the Civil War, one way business leaders tried to eliminate competition was by
1) forming monopolies or trusts
2) developing overseas markets
3) increasing the prices of their products
4) paying high wages to their workers
1) forming monopolies or trusts
In the United States, organized labor made its greatest membership gains when
1) the right to unionize and bargain collectively was guaranteed by legislation
2) international competition began to threaten jobs in the United States
3) the major business groups encouraged unionization
4) the economy began to shift from manufacturing to service employment
1) the right to unionize and bargain collectively was guaranteed by legislation
Which factor most limited the growth of labor unions during the late 1800’s?
1) Most employers were very hostile toward workers’ efforts to organize.
2) Most factory workers were satisfied with their wages and working conditions.
3) The Federal Government declared that unions were illegal.
4) Workers preferred to negotiate with factory owners as individuals rather than as members of a group.
1) Most employers were very hostile toward workers’ efforts to organize.
During the latter half of the 19th century, many business organizations in the United States combined into large corporations because
1) income levels for workers would be improved
2) government intervention in economic affairs would decline
3) efficiency in production methods could be increased
4) economic possibilities outside the United States could be explored
3)efficiency in production methods could be increased
Many reformers who opposed the laissez-faire attitude of the late 19th century argued that
the National Government should not interfere in the activities of big business …big business
1) national wealth could best be assured by the accumulation of gold
2) the idea of rugged individualism is vital to the nation’s economic growth
3) government should protect society through the regulation of business
4) National government should not interfere in business
the National Government should not interfere in the activities of big business …big business
In the United States, industrial unions of the 1880’s and of the 1980’s had similar goals in that both campaigned for
1) national health insurance
2) better unemployment insurance
3) greater job security and higher wages
4) wage and price freezes
3) greater job security and higher wages
4) wage and price freezes
The Sherman Antitrust Act, the Social Security Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) are examples of
1) Federal laws designed to protect consumers from unsafe products
2) the Federal Government’s response to changes in the economy
3) Federal laws designed to control spending
4) the Federal Government’s attempts to regulate big business
2)the Federal Government’s response to changes in the economy
Which term best describes United States economic policy during the era of the rise of big business (1865-1900)?
1) mercantilism
2) Marxism
3) welfare-state capitalism
4) Laissez faire capitalism
4) laissez-faire capitalism
The purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act (1887), the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890), and the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) was to
1) eliminate unfair business practices
2) reduce imports from foreign nations
3) reduce the power of the unions
4) increase the power of local governments
1) eliminate unfair business practices
Statement A: “The best way to economic recovery is to subsidize industry so that it will hire more workers and expand production.”
Statement B: “If jobs are not available, the government must create jobs for those who are unemployed.”
Statement C: “According to human nature, the most talented people will always come out on top.”
Statement D: “Our government is responsible for the nation’s economic well-being.”
Which statement is closest to the philosophy of Social Darwinism?
1) Speaker A
2) Speaker B
3) Speaker C
4) Speaker D
3) Speaker C
Which situation brought about the rapid growth of industry between 1865 and 1900?
1) high worker morale resulting from good wages and working conditions
2) availability of investment capital
3) establishment of western reservations for Native American Indians
4) decline in the number of people attending schools
2) availability of investment capital
