Question 1

What did President Garfield believe was the most important political change since the adoption of the Constitution in 1787?

Accepted Answer

President Garfield believed that the elevation of blacks from slavery to full rights of citizenship was the most important political change since the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. This reflects the significant impact of the Civil War and the subsequent amendments to the Constitution that aimed to secure rights for formerly enslaved individuals.

Question 2

During his administration, this president tried to control both sides of his fractured party while pursing reform during the Gilded Age.

Accepted Answer

Rutherford B. Hayes, during his presidency, attempted to reconcile the divisions within the Republican Party between the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds while also pursuing civil service reform.

Question 3

At Cleveland's urging, one of the first major areas of reform during the Gilded Age was toward the

Accepted Answer

During the Gilded Age, President Grover Cleveland focused on reforming the railroads, particularly through the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which aimed to regulate the railroad industry and curb monopolistic practices.

Question 4

Though rarely enforced at the time, which of the following acts was the first effort in the world to limit the size of businesses by prohibiting companies from "conspiring" to establish monopolies?

Accepted Answer

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act, enacted in 1890, was the first legislation in the world aimed at limiting the size of businesses by prohibiting monopolistic practices.

Question 5

Which of the following were most likely to favor the policy of sound money?

Accepted Answer

Bankers typically favored the policy of sound money because it maintained the value of currency and protected their financial interests.

Question 6

The section of the Republican party during the Gilded Age that was concerned with the excesses of the time were known as the

Accepted Answer

The Half-Breeds were a faction of the Republican Party during the Gilded Age that pushed for reform and were concerned with the excesses and corruption of the time, contrasting with the Stalwarts who were more conservative and resistant to change.

Question 7

One of the ways politics in the Gilded Age was different than today was that

Accepted Answer

During the Gilded Age, national political parties were more powerful and influential, with strong party loyalty and high voter turnout, unlike today where special interest groups have more influence and voter turnout can be lower.

Question 8

Which of the following statements accurately describes the Democratic Party in the late nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The Democratic Party in the late nineteenth century was a diverse coalition that included southern whites, northern immigrants, Roman Catholics, Jews, and free-thinkers, reflecting a broad and often unruly base.

Question 9

The presidential election of 1884 could be described as

Accepted Answer

The 1884 presidential election was marked by personal scandals, particularly involving the candidates Grover Cleveland and James G. Blaine, overshadowing substantive political issues.

Question 10

Which of the following replaced the spoils system for federal jobs with job placement on the basis of competitive testing?

Accepted Answer

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, enacted in 1883, established that federal government jobs should be awarded based on merit through competitive exams, effectively replacing the spoils system.

Question 11

Which political party during the Gilded Age promoted the plight of miners and farmers?

Accepted Answer

The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, emerged in the late 19th century to represent the interests of farmers and miners, advocating for economic reforms to address their struggles.

Question 12

Which of the following did farmers blame for the terrible economic conditions in the South during the late nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

Farmers in the South during the late nineteenth century blamed international competition for the economic difficulties they faced, as it led to lower prices for their crops due to the global market dynamics.

Question 13

Perhaps one of the greatest catalysts to reform during the Gilded Age was the assassination of

Accepted Answer

The assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881 was a significant catalyst for civil service reform during the Gilded Age, leading to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.

Question 14

Which of the following did the Republican Mugwumps favor?

Accepted Answer

The Republican Mugwumps were a group of reform-minded Republicans who opposed their party's candidate, James G. Blaine, in the 1884 presidential election due to concerns about his ethics. Instead, they supported the Democratic candidate, Grover Cleveland, who they believed was more honest and reform-oriented.

Question 15

This power meant that those newly elected could appoint people to jobs in their sphere of authority.

Accepted Answer

Patronage refers to the power to appoint people to jobs or positions, often used by those in authority to reward supporters or allies.

Question 16

The first federal agency designed to regulate business activities was

Accepted Answer

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was established in 1887 as the first federal agency to regulate business activities, specifically to oversee the railroad industry and ensure fair rates and practices.

Question 17

What occurred because of President Chester A.Arthur's reform programs?

Accepted Answer

President Chester A. Arthur's reform programs, particularly his support for civil service reform, alienated the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party. As a result, he was not chosen by the Republicans as their candidate for a second term.

Question 18

Republican Protestants during the Gilded Age had a tendency to consider __________ the central social evil in the United States.

Accepted Answer

During the Gilded Age, Republican Protestants often viewed saloons as a central social evil due to their association with alcohol consumption, which was seen as a moral and social problem.

Question 19

The decision to only allow gold to be coined for money was derisively called the

Accepted Answer

The decision to stop coining silver and only allow gold to be coined for money was called the "Crime of '73" by those who opposed it, as it was seen as a betrayal to those who supported bimetallism.

Question 20

Why did many people want a monetary supply not tied to gold or silver?

Accepted Answer

A monetary supply not tied to gold or silver would allow for more money to be printed, potentially leading to inflation and higher prices on goods, which could benefit debtors by reducing the real value of their debts.

Quiz 18: Society and Politics in the Gilded Age, 1865-1900