Deck 1: Californias People, Economy, and Politics: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Question 1

Who is the biggest landowner in California today?

A)the Southern Pacific Railroad
B)Apple, Inc.
C)the state and federal governments
D)California Agribusiness, Inc.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Since the 1990s, central and inland areas of California have grown most rapidly.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

As of 2010

A)no single racial group constituted a majority in California.
B)Asians were the largest single minority group in California.
C)whites remained a majority in California.
D)Hispanics became a majority in California.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The Progressive movement introduced reforms aimed at strengthening California's political parties.

Question 5

The political machine that ruled California beginning the 1880s was dominated by the Progressives.

Question 6

Which region of California has seen the most rapid population growth in recent years?

A)the Bay Area
B)the Central Valley
C)San Diego
D)the mountain counties

Question 7

The gap between the rich and poor in California is

A)growing.
B)shrinking.
C)about the same as the gap between rich and poor nationally.
D)much smaller than the gap between rich and poor nationally.

Question 8

The Chinese first came to California as farm workers.

Question 9

California's native (Indian) population

A)dominated the state until the arrival of the railroad.
B)thrived under Spanish rule.
C)declined precipitously under Spanish rule.
D)was well integrated with Spanish and Yankee immigrants.

Question 10

Recently, political differences between California's regions have been greatest between coastal and inland areas.

Question 11

The event that brought a population surge to California in the early 1850s was

A)the opening of the Panama Canal.
B)the Gold Rush.
C)a peace treaty with Mexico.
D)completion of the Southern Pacific railroad.

Question 12

Amendments to California's constitution must be ratified by the voters.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true about the Workingmen's Party?

A)It promoted integration with the Chinese.
B)It blamed the railroad for California's economic problems.
C)It played a major part in the Constitutional Convention of 1879.
D)It blamed economic problems on Asian immigrants.

Question 14

Which of the following did the Progressives introduce to California politics?

A)nonpartisan elections
B)the Public Utilities Commission
C)direct democracy
D)all of the above

Question 15

The Workingmen's Party blamed the railroad and the Chinese for the state's economic difficulties.

Question 16

Approximately 75% of California's population is foreign born.

Question 17

The political machine that ruled California beginning in the 1880s was dominated by

A)Hiram Johnson.
B)the holders of the great Mexican land grants.
C)the Los Angeles Times.
D)the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Question 18

Despite immigration of various groups, whites still comprise more than three-quarters of California's population.

Question 19

Which sector of California's economy employs the largest number of workers?

A)services (business, health, leisure)
B)government
C)technology
D)agriculture

Question 20

California was sparsely populated before the discovery of gold in 1848.

Question 21

Provide perspective on the issue of immigration in California politics today by discussing its historical role in California politics.

Question 22

Compare and contrast the impact of the Workingmen's Party, the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the Progressives on California politics.

Question 23

Today's California is the result of continuous economic and demographic change, complicated by the state's sheer physical scale and geographic complexity.Discuss how these factors have influenced state politics.

Question 24

Why was California perceived by some as a "failed state"? What are some factors that suggest a "California comeback?" Which perception-"failed state" or "comeback"-do you think applies best to California today? Why?