Question 1

Which of the following is not an example of the impact of the department store?

Accepted Answer

Department stores transformed shopping into an exciting and social experience, encouraged spending among various social classes, and set new standards for consumption. However, they did not specifically aim to convince middle-class families to buy cheaper, annually replaceable products; this is more characteristic of modern fast fashion or certain electronics markets, not a foundational impact of the department store.

Question 2

According to its defenders in the late nineteenth century, college football

Accepted Answer

College football was defended in the late nineteenth century as a character-building sport that offered a surrogate frontier experience, helping young men develop toughness and resilience in an era of rapid urbanization.

Question 3

Why did leisure-time activities become increasingly important to the working class during the late nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

Factory labor became more routine and impersonal, leading workers to seek social interactions and personal fulfillment outside of work through leisure activities.

Question 4

During the 1880s and 1890s, which new obligation was added to the traditional middle-class woman's role as director of the household?

Accepted Answer

During the 1880s and 1890s, middle-class women were increasingly expected to foster an artistic environment in the home that would contribute to the cultural improvement of their families. This new obligation was part of the broader cultural movement emphasizing refinement and the arts within the domestic sphere.

Question 5

How did the settlement-house movement distinguish itself from other urban social-welfare organizations?

Accepted Answer

The settlement-house movement was distinguished by its approach of having charity workers live among the poor in slum neighborhoods. This was done to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the urban poor, which in turn informed their efforts to provide effective aid and support.

Question 6

Why was the development of the flush toilet and indoor plumbing so significant?

Accepted Answer

The development of the flush toilet and indoor plumbing was significant because it helped fight diseases that spread through polluted water by improving sanitation and hygiene.

Question 7

How were the new research universities of the late 19^th century different from earlier colleges?

Accepted Answer

The new research universities of the late 19th century were distinct because they expanded their curriculum beyond classical subjects to include a wide variety of subject areas, established professional schools for specialized education, and emphasized the importance of faculty members engaging in basic research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Question 8

What was the goal of William S. Rainford's institutional church movement?

Accepted Answer

The institutional church movement led by William S. Rainford aimed to have downtown churches provide social services, including recreational facilities and industrial training programs, to assist immigrants in urban areas.

Question 9

Which of the following is a valid conclusion to draw about the ways in which immigrants adjusted to urban life in their new society?

Accepted Answer

Immigrants with skills or familiarity with Anglo-American customs generally adjusted more easily to urban life in their new society, while those without these advantages faced greater challenges. This reflects the varied experiences of immigrants, where some aspects of their background could facilitate a smoother transition into the new society.

Question 10

Who was known as the king of ragtime?

Accepted Answer

Scott Joplin was known as the "King of Ragtime," a genre of music that peaked in popularity between 1895 and 1919. Joplin composed many of the most popular ragtime classics, including "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag."

Question 11

What was the key to Hull House's success in its anti-poverty mission?

Accepted Answer

Hull House's success in its anti-poverty mission was multifaceted, involving the establishment of settlement houses where workers lived among those they served (A), a philosophy acknowledging that the hardships of slum life were often beyond individual control (B), and the creation of a social center offering art and educational programs and a nursery (C). These elements combined to address both the immediate and systemic issues faced by impoverished communities.

Question 12

Who argued in The American Woman's Home that those of "good breeding" should avoid "reaching over another person's plate; ...using the table-cloth instead of napkins; ...and picking the teeth at the table"?

Accepted Answer

Catharine Beecher, along with her sister Harriet Beecher Stowe, co-authored "The American Woman's Home" in 1869, which included guidance on manners, household management, and moral conduct, emphasizing the role of women in creating a virtuous home environment.

Question 13

Which of the following statements accurately describes urban growth in the late 19^th century.

Accepted Answer

Urban populations indeed grew dramatically in the late 19th century, with cities like Chicago experiencing growth rates of over 400 percent due to industrialization and immigration.

Question 14

During the late nineteenth century, the working-class saloon was not

Accepted Answer

During the late nineteenth century, working-class saloons were primarily male-dominated spaces and were not typically meeting places for husbands and wives. They served as centers for immigrant politics, socialization, and ethnic identity reinforcement, and often offered a "free lunch" to patrons who purchased drinks.

Question 15

The Salvation Army was

Accepted Answer

The Salvation Army was organized along pseudo-military lines and aimed to provide support such as food, shelter, and temporary employment to poor immigrant families, while also promoting morality.

Question 16

Which statement best represents urban residential patterns among ethnic groups?

Accepted Answer

Immigrants often lived in tenements due to economic constraints and the need for affordable housing, forming ethnic enclaves until they could improve their financial situation.

Question 17

What was the importance of "culture" for American Victorians?

Accepted Answer

Culture was seen as a way to improve oneself and move up in social class.

Question 18

What major change took place during the late nineteenth century in the teaching of medicine, architecture, engineering, and law?

Accepted Answer

Standards for teaching medicine, architecture, engineering, and law were raised during the late nineteenth century, leading to a more professionalized practice in these fields.

Question 19

The Young Men's Christian Association and the Young Women's Christian Association were formed mainly to

Accepted Answer

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were primarily established to support rural young men and women who migrated to cities, offering them guidance, support, and resources in their new urban environments.

Question 20

Why did the New York campaigns against vice (gambling, prostitution, saloons) ultimately fail?

Accepted Answer

The city's large and ethnically diverse population made it difficult for reformers to effectively curb all illegal activities, as these activities were deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of the city.

Quiz 19: Immigration, Urbanization, and Everyday Life