Lectures 4&5

Question 1

What did the Homestead Act of 1862 do?

Answer 1

It turned over vast amounts of the public domain to private citizens.

Question 2

Who signed the Homestead Act of 1862 into law?

Answer 2

Abraham Lincoln.

Question 3

What went wrong with the Homestead Act of 1862?

Answer 3

Corruption, as the rich would buy up the land and then sell to the farmers at higher prices. Also, to buy land with water and mineral resources.

Question 4

Who was eligible to be part of the Homestead Act? (3)

Answer 4

1. Head of the Household. 2. At least 21. 3. Had to live and farm on land.

Question 5

Were slaves eligible for the Homestead Act?

Answer 5

No, the Homestead act was before emancipation.

Question 6

What was the Freedman’s Bureau purpose?

Answer 6

To help freed slaves and poor whites in the south.

Question 7

Why was the Freedman’s Bureau hindered in its purpose? (2)

Answer 7

1. Because of resistance to governments’ involvement in welfare. 2. Concern about preferential treatment towards former slaves.

Question 8

What was the first prominent period to reformers influencing policy?

Answer 8

The Progressive Era.

Question 9

What is the Gilded Age? (1865-1893-30 years) known for? (4).

Answer 9

1. Laissez-faire economic policies and birth of capitalism. 2. Government corruption. 3. Large industries (monopolies). 4. Poverty for many/extreme wealth for some.

Question 10

What set the grounds for progressive era reformers? (2)

Answer 10

1. The harsh reality of the depression following the gilded age. 2. Corruption.

Question 11

What were progressive era reforms limited by? (2)

Answer 11

1. Supreme Court. 2. Localism.

Question 12

What was one of the first federal matching grant programs?

Answer 12

Sheppard-Towner Act (1921-1929).

Question 13

What were the goals of the Sheppard-Towner Act (1921-1929)?

Answer 13

Reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Question 14

Why was the Sheppard-Towner Act (1921-1929) repealed?

Answer 14

It was considered a violation of states’ rights.

Question 15

Who were some progressive era reformers? (3)

Answer 15

1. Jane Addams. 2. Grace Abbot. 3. Paul Kellog.

Question 16

What kind of journalists were around during the progressive era? What did they do?

Answer 16

Muckrackers (reforming journalists) who would chronicle wrongdoings.

Question 17

Before the stock market crash in 1929, what did most American’s accept economically?

Answer 17

The “boom and bust” school of economics. The economy overheats, speculation runs rampant, and a crash is unavoidable.

Question 18

How often had economic panics occurred in the mid-late 1800s?

Answer 18

1830s, 1850s, 1870s, and 1890s. (Every 20 years).

Question 19

When was FDR elected for his first term?

Answer 19

1932.

Question 20

Did FDR campaign on radical solutions?

Answer 20

No.

Question 21

How did FDR change the presidency?

Answer 21

From a symbolic one to a policy-initiating institution.

Question 22

Whose ideas became the inspiration for FDRs new deal?

Answer 22

John Maynard Keynes.

Question 23

What did FDR’s “New Deal” do?

Answer 23

It established the government as responsible for the economic well-being of the nation

Question 24

What is considered the beginning of the welfare state?

Answer 24

FDR’s “New Deal.”