U.S. Economic History and Policies

The video explores the role of the US government in the economy during the Gilded Age, highlighting historical debates, the Populist movement's reform demands, and the laissez-faire policies that led to economic challenges. It discusses the government's limited response to economic crises and the motivations behind US imperialism and economic expansion, using Hawaii as a case study.

What historical event intensified debates over the role of the U.S. government in the economy?

• The American Revolution

• The War of 1812

• The Civil War

• The Spanish-American War

Which movement in the 1890s combined the interests of farmers and laborers to advocate for economic reforms?

• The Abolitionist Movement

• The Populist Movement

• The Temperance Movement

• The Progressive Movement

What was one of the main ideas supported by the Populist Party?

• High tariffs

• Laissez-faire policies

• Free coinage of silver

• The gold standard

What economic policy did many leading industrialists support during the Gilded Age?

• Laissez-faire

• Monetarism

• Protectionism

• Keynesian Economics

What was a significant consequence of the Panic of 1893?

• A rise in agricultural prices

• Increased government intervention

• A severe recession and high unemployment

• The end of the Gilded Age

Who was the U.S. President during the Panic of 1893?

• William McKinley

• Grover Cleveland

• Theodore Roosevelt

• Benjamin Harrison

What was the purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act?

• To lower tariffs

• To oversee interstate trade

• To regulate banking practices

• To promote overseas expansion

What was a major effect of the McKinley Tariff of 1890?

• Higher prices for goods and services

• Decreased prices for consumers

• Lower tariffs on imported goods

• Increased competition among businesses

Why did the U.S. government begin to support overseas expansion during the Gilded Age?

• To spread democracy

• To find new markets and resources

• To establish military bases

• To promote cultural exchange

What was a key motivation for the U.S. annexation of Hawaii?

• To establish a military presence

• To promote tourism

• To eliminate tariffs on Hawaiian goods

• To support the Hawaiian monarchy