SUNY Unit 5 Review Questions

The purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided free federal land, was to

• encourage settlement of the West
• set up reservations for Native American Indians
• establish land-grant agricultural colleges
• assist in the construction of transcontinental railroads

The aim of the Dawes Act of 1887 was to

• restore previously taken land to Native American Indian tribes
• maintain traditional Native American Indian cultures
• assimilate Native American Indians into American culture
• end all governmental contact with Native American Indians

The passage of the Homestead Act and the completion of the transcontinental railroad helped to fulfill the United States commitment to

• Reconstruction
• racial equality
• Manifest Destiny
• conservation of natural resources

In the period from 1860 to 1890, which experience was shared by most Native Americans living in western states?

• They maintained control of their traditional lands.
• They benefited economically from government policy.
• They became farmers and small business owners.
• They were forced to live on reservations.

During the 1870’s and 1880’s, Midwestern farmers found that earning a living was increasingly difficult because

• prices of agricultural products were increasing
• railroad companies charged high rates for transporting farm products
• agricultural output was declining rapidly
• farm labor was becoming more unionized

Although the Populist Party failed to elect its candidates to the Presidency, some of the Party’s aims were later achieved by the

• adoption of the gold standard
• elimination of racial segregation laws in the South
• creation of a graduated income tax and the direct election of Senators
• establishment of higher protective tariffs on manufactured goods

Which of the following was a significant economic impact of the Transcontinental Railroad?

• rapid rebuilding of the South after the Civil War
• decreasing influence of big business
• eliminated overseas trade with Europe
• expanded interstate commerce nationwide

From 1865 to 1900, how did the growth of industry affect American society?

• The United States experienced the disappearance of the traditional way of life.
• Population centers shifted from the Northeast to the South.
• Restrictions on immigration created a more homogeneous culture.
• The percentage of Americans living in urban areas increased.

Which statement is closest to the philosophy of Social Darwinism?

• Speaker A
• Speaker B
• Speaker C
• Speaker D

Many reformers who opposed the laissez-faire attitude of the late 19th century argued that

• the National Government should not interfere in the activities of big business
• national wealth could best be assured by the accumulation of gold
• the idea of rugged individualism is vital to the nation’s economic growth
• government should protect society through the regulation of business