AP US History Flashcards: Role Of Government Controversies Gilded Age

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This deck focuses on Role Of Government Controversies Gilded Age, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

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Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the main argument against the gold standard in the Gilded Age.

Answer: It restricted money supply and hurt farmers and debtors. Limited currency caused deflation, making debts harder to repay.

Flashcard 2: Which political party was known for supporting high tariffs during the Gilded Age?

Answer: The Republican Party. Protectionists believed tariffs protected American jobs and industries.

Flashcard 3: Identify the primary economic policy debated during the Gilded Age.

Answer: Tariff policy. Republicans favored high tariffs while Democrats supported lower rates.

Flashcard 4: Identify the primary economic policy debated during the Gilded Age.

Answer: Tariff policy. Republicans favored high tariffs while Democrats supported lower rates.

Flashcard 5: What was the primary focus of the Populist Party's platform?

Answer: Economic reforms favoring farmers and workers. Sought government regulation of railroads and monetary expansion.

Flashcard 6: What was the main demand of the Farmers' Alliance?

Answer: Government regulation of railroads. Rural organization seeking relief from high railroad shipping rates.

Flashcard 7: Which Supreme Court case upheld the legality of segregation in 1896?

Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson. Established 'separate but equal' doctrine allowing segregation.

Flashcard 8: What was the main demand of the Farmers' Alliance?

Answer: Government regulation of railroads. Rural organization seeking relief from high railroad shipping rates.

Flashcard 9: Which ethnic group was targeted by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

Answer: Chinese immigrants. First major federal immigration restriction based on race.

Flashcard 10: Which legislation was passed in response to the Haymarket Riot?

Answer: None; it led to public backlash against labor movements. The bombing actually weakened labor's public image and support.

Flashcard 11: What was the primary goal of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

Answer: To regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices. Created the ICC to oversee railroad pricing and discrimination.

Flashcard 12: What was the main purpose of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890?

Answer: To increase the amount of silver the government purchased. Required government to buy more silver to increase money supply.

Flashcard 13: Identify the main criticism of the gold standard by farmers.

Answer: Caused deflation and lowered crop prices. Fixed money supply prevented currency expansion needed for growth.

Flashcard 14: What was the primary cause of the Pullman Strike of 1894?

Answer: Wage cuts without reducing rent in company towns. Workers faced economic hardship while paying high company store prices.

Flashcard 15: What was the primary legal basis for segregation laws during the Gilded Age?

Answer: The 'separate but equal' doctrine. Plessy decision allowed segregation if facilities were theoretically equal.

Flashcard 16: What was the main effect of the McKinley Tariff of 1890?

Answer: Raised tariffs to protect American industries. Increased prices on imported goods to benefit domestic manufacturers.

Flashcard 17: What was the main criticism of the spoils system during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Led to corruption and inefficiency in government. Political appointments based on loyalty rather than merit.

Flashcard 18: Identify the primary objective of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Answer: To prevent business monopolies. Aimed to break up trusts and promote business competition.

Flashcard 19: Which economic theory justified minimal government intervention during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Laissez-faire economics. Opposed government regulation of business and the economy.

Flashcard 20: Which group played a key role in the settlement house movement?

Answer: Progressive reformers. Middle-class reformers established community centers in poor neighborhoods.

Flashcard 21: What was the main criticism of the spoils system during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Led to corruption and inefficiency in government. Political appointments based on loyalty rather than merit.

Flashcard 22: Which industry was primarily targeted by the Interstate Commerce Commission?

Answer: The railroad industry. Created to regulate the powerful railroad monopolies.

Flashcard 23: What was the primary aim of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act?

Answer: To establish a merit-based system for federal employment. Replaced the corrupt spoils system with competitive exams for federal jobs.

Flashcard 24: What was the primary cause of the Pullman Strike of 1894?

Answer: Wage cuts without reducing rent in company towns. Workers faced economic hardship while paying high company store prices.

Flashcard 25: Which group played a key role in the settlement house movement?

Answer: Progressive reformers. Middle-class reformers established community centers in poor neighborhoods.

Flashcard 26: Which legislation aimed to curb monopolistic practices in the Gilded Age?

Answer: The Sherman Antitrust Act. First federal antitrust legislation, though weakly enforced initially.

Flashcard 27: What was the primary goal of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887?

Answer: To regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices. Created the ICC to oversee railroad pricing and discrimination.

Flashcard 28: What was the main impact of the Dawes Act on Native Americans?

Answer: Disrupted tribal land ownership. Divided tribal lands into individual plots, weakening tribal unity.

Flashcard 29: Identify the main focus of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Answer: Advocating for prohibition of alcohol. Moral reform movement linking alcohol to social problems.

Flashcard 30: Identify the main purpose of the Granger Laws.

Answer: To regulate railroad and grain elevator rates. State laws regulating railroad rates to help farmers.

Flashcard 31: Identify the primary objective of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Answer: To prevent business monopolies. Aimed to break up trusts and promote business competition.

Flashcard 32: Identify the goal of the Knights of Labor.

Answer: To organize workers for better wages and conditions. Early labor organization seeking broad social and economic reforms.

Flashcard 33: Identify the main effect of the Homestead Strike of 1892.

Answer: Weakened the labor movement. Failed strike damaged labor's reputation and organizing power.

Flashcard 34: Which political figure was known for his 'Cross of Gold' speech?

Answer: William Jennings Bryan. Democratic candidate who advocated for silver coinage in 1896.

Flashcard 35: What was the primary goal of the National Labor Union?

Answer: Advocate for workers' rights and an eight-hour workday. First major national labor federation seeking shorter work hours.

Flashcard 36: Identify the main purpose of the Granger Laws.

Answer: To regulate railroad and grain elevator rates. State laws regulating railroad rates to help farmers.

Flashcard 37: What was the main effect of the McKinley Tariff of 1890?

Answer: Raised tariffs to protect American industries. Increased prices on imported goods to benefit domestic manufacturers.

Flashcard 38: Which philosophy was used to justify the wealth of industrialists?

Answer: Social Darwinism. Applied evolutionary theory to justify economic inequality.

Flashcard 39: Which economic theory justified minimal government intervention during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Laissez-faire economics. Opposed government regulation of business and the economy.

Flashcard 40: Identify the main focus of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Answer: Advocating for prohibition of alcohol. Moral reform movement linking alcohol to social problems.

Flashcard 41: What role did political machines play in city governance during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Controlled votes and provided services in exchange for political support. Created patronage networks that dominated urban politics through corruption.

Flashcard 42: Identify the main effect of the Homestead Strike of 1892.

Answer: Weakened the labor movement. Failed strike damaged labor's reputation and organizing power.

Flashcard 43: Which political party was known for supporting high tariffs during the Gilded Age?

Answer: The Republican Party. Protectionists believed tariffs protected American jobs and industries.

Flashcard 44: What was the significance of the 1893 economic depression?

Answer: Led to debates over monetary policy and government intervention. Sparked calls for government economic intervention and monetary reform.

Flashcard 45: What was the primary aim of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act?

Answer: To establish a merit-based system for federal employment. Replaced the corrupt spoils system with competitive exams for federal jobs.

Flashcard 46: Which legislation was passed in response to the Haymarket Riot?

Answer: None; it led to public backlash against labor movements. The bombing actually weakened labor's public image and support.

Flashcard 47: Which industry was primarily targeted by the Interstate Commerce Commission?

Answer: The railroad industry. Created to regulate the powerful railroad monopolies.

Flashcard 48: What was the primary economic consequence of the Panic of 1873?

Answer: A severe economic depression. Bank failures and business closures caused widespread unemployment.

Flashcard 49: Identify the main rationale for the introduction of the income tax in 1894.

Answer: To replace tariff revenues lost to tariff reductions. Compensated for lower tariff income with direct taxation.

Flashcard 50: What was the main focus of the Greenback Party?

Answer: Expanding the money supply with paper currency. Advocated inflated currency to help farmers pay debts more easily.

Flashcard 51: Which labor leader was instrumental in founding the American Federation of Labor?

Answer: Samuel Gompers. Focused on skilled workers and practical workplace improvements.

Flashcard 52: Which Supreme Court case upheld the legality of segregation in 1896?

Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson. Established 'separate but equal' doctrine allowing segregation.

Flashcard 53: What was the primary issue addressed by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878?

Answer: Limited coinage of silver dollars. Compromise between gold and silver supporters over currency policy.

Flashcard 54: What was the main purpose of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890?

Answer: To increase the amount of silver the government purchased. Required government to buy more silver to increase money supply.

Flashcard 55: Identify the main argument against the gold standard in the Gilded Age.

Answer: It restricted money supply and hurt farmers and debtors. Limited currency caused deflation, making debts harder to repay.

Flashcard 56: What was the primary issue addressed by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878?

Answer: Limited coinage of silver dollars. Compromise between gold and silver supporters over currency policy.

Flashcard 57: Identify the goal of the Knights of Labor.

Answer: To organize workers for better wages and conditions. Early labor organization seeking broad social and economic reforms.

Flashcard 58: What was the significance of the 1893 economic depression?

Answer: Led to debates over monetary policy and government intervention. Sparked calls for government economic intervention and monetary reform.

Flashcard 59: Which political figure was known for his 'Cross of Gold' speech?

Answer: William Jennings Bryan. Democratic candidate who advocated for silver coinage in 1896.

Flashcard 60: What was the primary focus of the Populist Party's platform?

Answer: Economic reforms favoring farmers and workers. Sought government regulation of railroads and monetary expansion.

Flashcard 61: What was the main focus of the Greenback Party?

Answer: Expanding the money supply with paper currency. Advocated inflated currency to help farmers pay debts more easily.

Flashcard 62: Which legislation aimed to curb monopolistic practices in the Gilded Age?

Answer: The Sherman Antitrust Act. First federal antitrust legislation, though weakly enforced initially.

Flashcard 63: What was the primary goal of the National Labor Union?

Answer: Advocate for workers' rights and an eight-hour workday. First major national labor federation seeking shorter work hours.

Flashcard 64: Which philosophy was used to justify the wealth of industrialists?

Answer: Social Darwinism. Applied evolutionary theory to justify economic inequality.

Flashcard 65: What role did political machines play in city governance during the Gilded Age?

Answer: Controlled votes and provided services in exchange for political support. Created patronage networks that dominated urban politics through corruption.