Unit 1 Test Part 2

Question 1

Briefly explain what evidence would support the statement about farmers in this era that “His burdens are heavier every year and his gains are more meager”

Answer 1

Is supported by the evidence that there was more deflation during the time, and with not enough money going around, prices were forced down, and with new machinery producing more output, prices went even lower. This caused heavier burdens and less gains every year when farmers became debtors, and every year their decreasing income caused their debt to rise

Question 2

Explain what the writer most likely had in mind when he stated “he is beginning to fear that he may be sinking into a servile condition”

Answer 2

The writer likely had in mind that farmers, because of the fact that each year they became poorer and more in debt, began to fear that they would become servants (or even slave like), either on their own farms to pay the debt back, or after losing their land and having to work for someone else

Question 3

Briefly explain two regional characteristics of either the south or the west that support Turner’s assertion that the US was “a vast and varied Union of unlike sections”

Answer 3

The west had unique characteristics to the region, such as the Native Americans there and the bison they hunted because they provided food, weapons, and shelter. The region also was very large, despite having a small population and non-fertile soil.

Question 4

Briefly explain one reason why Turner was concerned with the closing and disappearance of the frontier that was not stated in the above excerpt

Answer 4

Tuner was also concerned about losing the land that people from industrial cities could escape to, this was referred to as the “safety valve”.

Question 5

Based on this except and your knowledge, briefly explain one argument made by Booker T Washington to improve race relations in the South

Answer 5

One argument made by Booker T Washington to improve race relations in the south was that before African Americans should have complete equality (including social equality) they should be educated and conditioned enough to be prepared for it, therefore they should slowly gain equality (beginning with education and the workforce) before they became equal (or at least not separated) in every other aspect

Question 6

Briefly explain two forms of discrimination that African Americans experienced at this time in the south

Answer 6

Separate, but not equal, facilities (like water fountains and schools) and the fact that they didn’t receive equal pay to white workers, at the same jobs

Question 7

Briefly explain one change in the south between 1887 and 1900 that reflected the policies of the new south agenda

Answer 7

The mechanization of agriculture reflected the policies of the new south agenda as farms became like factories, with expensive machinery, and many farmers who had to become tied to banking, railroading, and manufacturing to keep up with the new industry

Question 8

Briefly explain one way the southern economy did not change during this era

Answer 8

The farmers remained poor, and many were forced into sharecropping and tenant farming

Question 9

Briefly explain one factor that kept the south from making more progress during this period

Answer 9

The lack of industrialization (especially compared to the north) with little industrialization there, the railroad rates were also very high, causing an even bigger lack of industry

Question 10

Which of the two statements most clearly include evidence to support the claim it makes

1. The Chinese exclusion act indicates the prejudice felt by many people in the us in the late 19th century
2. George Washington carver and Ida b wells demonstrated different methods of combatting racial prejudice
3. Granges and cooperatives demonstrated the strong sense of community many Americans felt in the 19th century

Answer 10

1 and 3

Question 11

Explain how 2 of the following influenced political party identification and loyalty between 1865 and 1900

Region or location
Ethnicity

Answer 11

Depending on where a person is, they have different jobs and motives, an example is the west where many populists, who supported farmers, because, there were many struggling farmers

Because some races tended to be part of political parties that supported them, such as African Americans, who were largely republican. The peoples party didn’t thrive in the south for this reason, because populists wanted to unite whites and blacks

Question 12

Explain one reason that voter turnout was very high during this era

Answer 12

Loyalty to political parties. Citizens wanted their political party to be in office, and therefore voted to make sure that happened.

Question 13

Explain Eric Foner’s interpretation of the populist movement

Answer 13

Populists wanted to unite free men, do away with capitalism, and they wanted economic equality. He wanted the people to be protected from the government

Question 14

Explain 2 ways the Omaha platform can support Foner’s statement that “a generation would pass before a major party offered so sweeping a plan for governmental action”

Answer 14

Today there’s a direct election of US senators, along with their being an eight hour workday

Question 15

What was one factor that determined the outcome of the 1876 election

Answer 15

Bryan, who was McKinley’s, the winner’s, running mate, inability to appeal to unmortgaged farmers and to, especially, eastern urban laborers, with his program that called for inflation and free silver

Question 16

Explain 2 significant consequences from the 1896 election

Answer 16

It was the end of the “third party system” and beginning of the fourth party system, which was characterized by diminishing voter participation in elections. There were also the new issues that came about like industrial regulation and welfare of labor, which replaced money questions and civil service reform

Question 17

Explain the point of view of the artist about ONE of the following

Western farmers

Answer 17

The artist believes that western farmers and their work connects even to those in New York’s Wall Street. The illustration shows the farmer’s cow being milked and that milk being poured into businesses like the national bank and a factory, showing the artist’s point of view about the people in cities using the farmer’s hard work, and competition with each other to get money from them (that many farmers might not see), while Wall Street has the easier job and receives the profits

Question 18

Explain one development in the period from 1865 to 1900 that supported the point of view of the artist

Answer 18

The formation of the populist party supported the view of the artist, because Populists stood up to Wall Street and the “money trust” by attacking them, and they also advocated nationalizing the railroads, telegraph, and telephone; instituting a graduated income tax; and creating a new federal “sub treasury”, all in which would benefit farmers more, especially against cities like New York Wall Street

Question 19

Explain one development in the period of 1865 to 1900 that challenged the point of view expressed by the artist

Answer 19

Finish this

Question 20

Which of the three following statements would make the best thesis statements?

1. The Gilded Age shows that Hamilton, Clay, and Lincoln were correct in advocating for a strong role of the federal government in the economy
2. Racial conflict slowed the growth and development of the US economy in the 19th century
3. The energy and goals of the 19th century populists make them my favorite movement in US history
4. James Garfield was the second president to be assassinated in less than two decades
5. The McKinley campaign of 1896 run by Mark Hanna set the pattern…

Answer 20

1,2,5

Question 21

Briefly explain an event from the guilded age that supports that “the farmers were up in arms”

Answer 21

The formation of the Populist Party, who eventually lead an earnest and impassioned campaign to relieve farmer’s miseries, as they protested for the nationalizing of railroads, telephone, and telegraph, a graduated income tax, and a new federal “sub treasury” to provide farmers with loans for crops stored in government owned warehouses

Question 22

Briefly explain the main point of except 1

Answer 22

The Tenure of Office Act shouldn’t be excepted because it goes against the president alone, and doesn’t preserve the co-ordinate branches (the legislative, executive, judicial)

Question 23

Explain the main point of except 2

Answer 23

Andrew Johnson did nothing to prevent slavery, making him a tyrannical President who vetoed laws that protected the right of citizens and helped the national debt

Question 24

Provide 1 piece of evidence from the period 1865 to 1868 that is not included in the excepts and explain how it supports the interpretation in either except

Answer 24

The fact that President Johnson’s successor would be Republican Benjamin Wade, who was disliked by many members of the business community for his high tariff, soft money, and pro-labor views, and was distrusted by moderate republicans

Question 25

Explain the significance of African American legislators during reconstruction in the South during this period

Answer 25

They helped to create new state constitutions that provided for universal male suffrage and formed the backbone of the black political community

Question 26

Explain the efforts of 1 of the following on African Americans in the South during this period

Sharecropping

Answer 26

Sharecroppers (usually accompanied by the crop lien system that made sure African Americans stayed in debt) effected African Americans in the South because it kept them in a position where they were still like a slave to former white masters, in, how they worked like slaves, and didn’t get paid enough money to live any better than a slave

Question 27

Explain the impact of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson Reconstruction

Answer 27

Racist redeemers reassumed political power in the South (keeping blacks from many freedoms and causing them to face unemployment, eviction, or harm), sharecropping and tenant farming came about (and many African Americans were forced into this), Jim Crowe laws for segregation and disfranchisement of many African Americans occurred because of literacy requirements, voter registration laws, and poll taxes, and, in Plessy vs. Ferguson, “separate but equal” was the ruling, but the separate race definitely wasn’t equal because of how unfair the African Americans were treated

Question 28

Explain the role of waving the bloody shirt in the Republican Party during this period

Answer 28

This meant using the civil war, and especially anger from it, to gain votes. This reminded America of the civil war, and was a tactic by Republicans to attack democrats, allowing more republicans to win office

Question 29

Explain the effects of credit mobilier on businesses and government during this period

Answer 29

This scandal occurred when the credit mobilier construction company formed, began hiring themselves, (the pacific railroad insiders) to earn high dividends, and then, to keep congress from stopping them, distributed shares of stock to congressmen (including the Vice President). This scandal was a major reason why Grant was so corrupt, allowing his administration to continue this, and it was followed by other corrupt business policies as well

Question 30

Explain the significance of one of the following in terms of President Grant’s administration

Horace Greeley

Answer 30

Greeley was significant because he ran against Grant in the 1872 election. He was unqualified, and, in the past, had insulted the Democrats who voted for him. He didn’t end up winning, though, and Grant was elected another term

Question 31

Explain the point of view reflected in the cartoon above regarding the civil rights act of 1866

Answer 31

It’s portrayed as ineffective, and citizens are treating African Americans like slaves again while the government is blinded

Question 32

Explain one element of the cartoon that expresses the point of view you identified in part A

Answer 32

The peaceful lady protecting the African Americans (representing the government) is blindfolded to actual treatment of blacks

Question 33

Explain one development in the period of the 1860s that challenged or supported the point of view in the cartoon

Answer 33

The Plessy vs Ferguson case that ruled “separate but equal”, when, in reality, blacks were far from being equal, and the government and courts did nothing about it

Question 34

Which of the two following statements best expresses historical argumentation?

1. Dubbing’ view of reconstruction was grounded in racial beliefs that almost nobody accepts today.
2. I agree with the efforts of Charles Sumner on Reconstruction.
3. The freedmen’s bureau and black codes provide contradictory evidence for the conclusion that reconstruction was a success

Answer 34

1 and 3

Question 35

1. Why were the political times so prone to political corruption in the post–Civil War Era?

Answer 35

Grant allowing corruption to happen. Along with his favor seekers in the White House, he allowed, not only, the scandals of “Jubilee” Jim Fisk and Jay Gould (who worked directly with President Grant to get the Treasury to stop selling gold, just so the duo could bid the price higher) and, for a while at least, the Tweed Ring’s bribery, graft, and fraudulent elections to get as much as $200 million, but President Grant allowed bigger political scandals as well. There was the Credit Mobilier Scandal (when Union Pacific railroad insiders formed the Credit Mobilier Construction Company and then hired themselves, then distributed shares of stock to congressmen), and the scandal of the Whiskey Ring (who robbed the Treasury of millions in excise tax revenues, got Grants original response of “let no guilty man escape”, yet eventually Grant volunteered a written statement to the jury helping to exonerate the thief), when Grant accepted Secretary of War, William Belknap’s resignation (after he pocketed bribes from suppliers to the Indian Reservation) “with great regret”. …so prone to corruption because of Grant allowing them to happen.

Question 36

2. What circumstances led to the impeachment and trial of President Johnson and what was the outcome?

Answer 36

Radicals were getting annoyed with President Johnson (the “drunken tailor”) in the White House and began to falsely accuse him of maintaining a harem of “dissolute women”. After this, they passed the Tenure of Office Act (meaning Johnson had to get consent from the Senate to remove appointees once they had been approved by that body) and secured the secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton, who was a spy and informer for the radicals. When Johnson dismissed Stanton in 1868, the radicals then had reason to begin impeachment proceedings. In these, the House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 to impeach Johnson for “high crimes and misdemeanors”, though, in the end, House prosecutors (Benjamin F Butler and Thaddeus Stevens) had a hard time coming up with a care for Johnson’s impeachment. In the end, Johnson was declared not guilty, which was a good thing because a destabilized precedent wasn’t formed, the system of checks and balances wasn’t abused, and Benjamin Wade (Johnson’s successor and the pro tempore of the Senate who was disliked by many business people because of his views and was distrusted by Repiblicans) wasn’t put into office.

Question 37

3. What were some of the biggest challenges facing labor in the second half of the nineteenth century?

Answer 37

How corporations treated simple workers. As manual skills replaced originality and creativity, factories became depersonalized, bodiless, soulless, and usually conscienceless. New machines replaced many workers, and railroads bringing in unemployed workers from all over the country and elsewhere beat down high wage levels. The employees were highly dispensible and replaceable, as employees could gain wealth through stockholders, get expensive lawyers, buy up local press, pressure politicians, import strikebreakers, and employ thugs to beat up labor organizers. To lessen employees voices even more, corporations also had the power to call upon federal courts to order strikers to stop striking, and if the defiance continued, the corporations caused the state and federal authorities to bring in troops, along with also having the power to call upon federal courts to stop striking, and if the defiance continued, the corporations caused the state and federal authorities to bring in troops, along with also having the power of the procedure, the “lockout”, shutting rebelling workers out and starving them into submission. The companies could also make employees agree not to join a labor union, put them on a “black list” for fellow employers to see, and cause employees to go into perpetual debt to them.

Question 38

4. What were some of the main ways in which the government tried to deal with the trusts? How did the Interstate Commerce Act and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act deal with monopolies? Were they successful?

Answer 38

The government, at first, tried to control the trusts through state legislation, like they had previously done to curb the railroads. Again, they failed, and appealed to Congress. The Interstate Commerce Act dealt with monopolies by (among other things like prohibiting rebates and pools, requiring railroads to publish their rates openly, forbidding unfair discrimination against shippers, and outlawing charging more for a short haul than for a long one over the same line) establishing the interstate commerce commission (ICC) to administer and enforce the legislation that individual states had no power to regulate interstate commerce. The Sherman anti trust act was established to go against monopolies, and, when passed, forbade combinations in restraint of trade. This act proved to be unsuccessful because it didn’t distinguish between “good trusts” and “bad trusts”, and had legal loopholes that corporation lawyers were able to find, though it did end up (going away from its original intent) curbing labor unions or labor combinations that restrained trade. The interstate commerce act, though not a major victory of corporate wealth, did allow competing business interests to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to prevent rate wars between railroads and outraged state legislators who attacked to confiscate them.

Question 39

5. What were the main issues surrounding the election of 1876? Did the Compromise of 1877 resolve those issues?

Answer 39

The democrats and republicans could easily tip the “teeter totter” for the other party, because the majority party switched six times, and in only three sessions did the same party control the House, the Senate, and the White House. The two parties were also (despite many of the same economic issues) very competitive of each other. This lead to the big question of “who should count the two sets of returns from the three disputed states’, because if the president of the Senate (a republican) counted them, a Republican’s returns would be selected, but if the speaker of the house (a democrat) counted them, the Democratic returns would be chosen. The compromise of 1877 solved most of these issues, by establishing an electoral commission of men selected from the House, Senate, and Supreme Court, that disputed the three southern state’s sets of returns. This allows deadlock to be avoided, but caused African Americans bigger problems, because with the compromise’s Hayes Tilden deal, the Republicans sacrificed its commitment to racial equality, leading to the end of reconstruction, the civil rights act being the last thing giving African Americans rights (even though most of it was declared unconstitutional), and eventually Jim Crow laws and more blacks being forced into sharecropping in the south