Untitled Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the Elkins Act?

The Elkins Act is a 1903 United States federal law that amended the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, allowing the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose heavy fines on railroads for offering rebates.

Who was Thomas Nast?

A newspaper cartoonist who produced satirical cartoons and invented Uncle Sam and the political party symbols of the elephant and donkey.

What did the Hepburn Act accomplish?

The Hepburn Act, enacted in 1906, regulated the maximum charge that railroads could impose on shipping goods.

What was Boss Tweed known for?

He was most notable for being the 'boss' of Tammany Hall, a Democratic Party political machine in New York City. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty guarantee?

It guaranteed independence for the newly created Republic of Panama. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty?

It was a treaty that allowed the U.S. to build a canal in Panama without British involvement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty?

It was an agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain stating that neither would seek exclusive rights to a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?

It asserted that the U.S. has the right to protect its economic interests in South and Central America by using military force. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Open Door Notes?

Messages sent by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899 to international powers asking them not to interfere with U.S. trading rights in China. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Platt Amendment?

Legislation that restricted Cuba's sovereignty and gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Teller Amendment declare?

It declared that the U.S. had no desire for control in Cuba and pledged to leave the island alone. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Pan American Conference?

It aimed to create an organization of cooperation between the U.S. and Latin American countries. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Bland-Allison Act of 1878 require?

It required the U.S. Treasury to buy a certain amount of silver and put it into circulation as silver dollars. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Sherman Silver Purchase Act?

An act that required the Treasury to buy 4.5 million ounces of silver monthly and pay miners in notes redeemable in gold or silver. Signup and view all the answers

What was the McKinley Tariff?

A 1890 tariff that raised protective tariff levels by nearly 50%, making them the highest tariffs in U.S. history. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Granger Laws aim to achieve?

They aimed to fix maximum rates for freight shipments. Signup and view all the answers

What was upheld in the case of Muller v. Oregon?

The Supreme Court upheld state restrictions on the working hours of women due to health concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?

It was the first federal action against monopolies, signed into law by Harrison. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Wabash Case?

An 1886 Supreme Court case that ruled individual states could not regulate interstate commerce. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Newlands Reclamation Act authorize?

It authorized federal funds from public land sales for irrigation and land development projects. Signup and view all the answers

What was achieved by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934?

It reversed previous Indian policy by guaranteeing religious freedom and tribal self-government. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Memphis Free Speech?

It was a newspaper published by Ida B. Wells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Frontier Thesis?

The argument by Frederick Jackson Turner that the frontier experience made American society more democratic. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Chisholm Trail used for?

It was the major long drive route from Texas to Abilene, Kansas, for driving cattle to railroads. Signup and view all the answers

What is known as the Great American Desert?

It refers to the vast arid territory that included the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Social Gospel Movement?

A movement by reform-minded Protestant ministers aimed at introducing religious ethics into industrial relations. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Ashcan School?

A group of American Naturalist painters formed in 1907 who depicted everyday life in realistic detail. Signup and view all the answers

What is Yellow Press or Yellow Journalism?

Sensationalist and exaggerated media reporting that is sometimes false. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the DeLome Letter to be significant?

It was a letter from the Spanish ambassador criticizing President McKinley and contributed to the Spanish-American War. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Anti-imperialist League oppose?

They objected to the annexation of the Philippines and the establishment of an American empire. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of Looking Backward?

It is a utopian novel by Edward Bellamy about a man who wakes up in a future, discovering a new social order. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of The Jungle?

The 1906 work by Upton Sinclair revealed abuses in the meat-packing industry, leading to the Meat Inspection Act. Signup and view all the answers

What occurred during the Pullman Strike?

Workers went on strike over wage cuts, leading to a refusal to use Pullman cars, resulting in federal intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Homestead Strike?

A violent strike against the Carnegie Steel Company in response to wage cuts, ultimately put down by the state militia. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Haymarket Riot?

A riot in Chicago involving workers protesting police brutality, which became infamous after a bomb killed police officers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Comstock Lode?

A gold and silver mine discovered in Nevada in 1859. Signup and view all the answers

What was the objective of the Ghost Dance Movement?

To call for a return to traditional Native American ways of life and challenge white dominance. Signup and view all the answers

What are Yellow Dog Contracts?

Written contracts between employers and employees agreeing not to join a union. Signup and view all the answers

What was Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom?

A program that emphasized business competition and small government while promoting social justice objectives. Signup and view all the answers

What was the American Protective Association?

An organization created by nativists that campaigned for laws to restrict immigration in 1887. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Pinkertons?

A private detective agency known for infiltrating labor unions and providing security during labor unrest. Signup and view all the answers

What did the National Grange Movement aim for?

It aimed to provide social and educational support for farmers and their families. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Cross of Gold speech?

An impassioned address by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic Convention opposing the 'gold bugs'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bull Moose Party?

Also known as the Progressive Party, founded by Theodore Roosevelt for the 1912 election. Signup and view all the answers

What was the American Federation of Labor?

An association of skilled workers that focused on job security and wages. Signup and view all the answers

What was Coxey's Army?

A group of unemployed workers led by Jacob Coxey who marched on Washington in 1893 to demand government relief. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Wounded Knee Massacre?

An event where American soldiers killed a large group of Lakota Sioux after they left their reservation. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Knights of Labor?

The first effort to create a national union, which was open to various workers but struggled due to weak leadership. Signup and view all the answers

What are the ABC Powers?

The South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile that mediated a dispute between Mexico and the United States in 1914. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Elkins Act

Enacted in 1903, amending the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887.
Empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose fines on railroads offering rebates and the shippers accepting them.
Targeted discriminatory practices among railroad corporations, their officers, and employees.

Thomas Nast

Notable newspaper cartoonist known for political satire.
Created iconic symbols like "Uncle Sam," the Democratic donkey, and Republican elephant.
Played a significant role in exposing corruption, notably targeting Boss Tweed.

Hepburn Act

Passed in 1906, this law regulated the maximum charges railroads could impose for goods shipping.
Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission's authority.

Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

Boss Tweed was the political leader of Tammany Hall, the influential Democratic Party machine in 19th-century New York.
Tammany Hall was crucial in local politics, notorious for corruption and manipulation.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty

Established U.S. support for Panama's independence from Colombia.
Facilitated the construction of the Panama Canal.

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

Negotiated with Colombia; authorized U.S. construction of a canal in Panama without British interference.
Included a $10 million payment for a six-mile canal zone.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

Agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain, preventing either from monopolizing a canal across Panama.
Abrogated by the U.S. in 1881.

Roosevelt Corollary

A 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine.
Asserted the U.S. right to intervene in Latin American countries to protect its interests.

Open Door Notes

Issued by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899.
Aimed at ensuring equal trading rights for the U.S. in China, requesting other nations not to interfere.

Platt Amendment

Legislation limiting Cuba's sovereignty, allowing U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs.
Established conditions for U.S. intervention if Cuba faced difficulty.

Teller Amendment

Declared U.S. intentions of not seeking control over Cuba post-Spanish-American War.
Affirmed U.S. commitment to leave Cuban governance to its people.

Pan American Conference

Initiated by James Blaine, fostering cooperation between the U.S. and Latin American nations.
Aimed to enhance regional relationships.

Bland-Allison Act of 1878

Mandated U.S. Treasury to purchase silver for circulating as dollars.
Intended to bolster the silver industry and induce inflation; later replaced by the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act

Enacted in 1890, it required the Treasury to buy 4.5 million ounces of silver monthly.
Increased silver purchases significantly compared to the Bland-Allison Act.

McKinley Tariff

A 1890 law that notably raised protective tariffs by nearly 50%.
This established some of the highest import tariffs in U.S. history.

Granger Laws

Laws passed by state Granger organizations in 1874 to regulate freight rates.
Faced challenges and were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Muller v. Oregon

A 1908 Supreme Court case validating state limits on women's work hours.
Recognized the need to protect women's health as a state interest.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

First significant federal legislation against monopolies.
Initially misapplied against labor unions but later used extensively for trust-busting.

Wabash Case

An 1886 Supreme Court ruling asserting states cannot regulate interstate commerce.
Set the stage for federal intervention in railroads.

Newlands Reclamation Act

Authorized federal funds for irrigation and land development in arid Western states.
Enacted in 1902 to improve agricultural conditions.

Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

Reversed prior Indian policies, ensuring religious freedom and tribal self-governance.
Provided economic aid to tribes.

Memphis Free Speech

Newspaper founded by Ida B. Wells, advocating for civil rights and anti-lynching campaigns.

Frontier Thesis

Proposed by Frederick Jackson Turner, suggesting frontier experiences shaped American democracy.
Emphasized the importance of cheap land and absence of an aristocracy.

Chisholm Trail

A key cattle drive route from Texas to Abilene, Kansas, for transporting cattle to railroads.
Vital for the beef trade in the late 19th century.

Great American Desert

Refers to arid lands in U.S. history between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Coast.
Covered regions like the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains before 1860.

Reform-oriented Protestant ministers aimed to apply religious ethics to social issues.
Encouraged churches to fulfill social responsibilities.

Ashcan School

Group of early 20th-century American artists focusing on realistic depictions of daily life.
Known for the first significant U.S. art exhibition in 1908.

Yellow Press/Yellow Journalism

Style of journalism that emphasized sensationalism and exaggeration.
At times used misleading reports to influence public opinion.

DeLome Letter

A letter from the Spanish ambassador criticizing President McKinley.
Contributed to public support for the Spanish-American War after its publication.

Anti-Imperialist League

Formed to oppose U.S. annexation of the Philippines.
Advocated for anti-imperialism based on ethical and constitutional grounds.

Looking Backward

Utopian novel by Edward Bellamy depicting a future society shaped by socialism in the year 2000.
Challenged contemporary social and economic norms.

Our Country: Its Possible Future and Current Crisis

A work by Josiah Strong promoting missionary work and urging Protestant engagement in cities.
Highlighted issues of urban poverty and racial tensions.

The Jungle

Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel exposing meatpacking industry abuses.
Led to the 1906 Meat Inspection Act's enactment.

Pullman Strike

Labor strike initiated due to wage cuts and high rents in Pullman's company town.
Resulted in the arrest of Eugene Debs and minimal impact on labor conditions.

Homestead Strike

Violent labor strike at Carnegie Steel in retaliation against wage reductions.
Suppressed by state militia and Pinkerton agents, damaging union reputations.

Haymarket Riot

A labor protest in Chicago escalated when police fired into the crowd, resulting in a bomb explosion.
Heightened anti-immigrant sentiments due to the involvement of immigrants in the incident.

Comstock Lode

Discovery of a rich gold and silver mine in Nevada, made public in 1859 by Henry Comstock.
Significant to the mining boom and economic development in the West.

Ghost Dance Movement

A spiritual and cultural revival among Native Americans aiming to restore traditional practices.
Reacted against white societal dominance.

Yellow Dog Contracts

Agreements binding employees to refrain from joining labor unions.
Used as a tool by employers to suppress unionization efforts.

New Freedom

Woodrow Wilson's political agenda in the 1912 presidential election emphasizing antitrust measures and smaller government.
Aimed at fostering competition while promoting social justice principles.

American Protective Association

Nativist organization established in 1887 focusing on immigration restrictions.
Aimed to influence legislative changes against immigrant communities.

Pinkertons

Private detective agency founded in 1850 with a role in labor disputes.
Known for infiltrating unions and involvement in violent strikes.

National Grange Movement

Founded in 1868 as a social and educational group for farmers; aimed at improving agricultural interests.
Promoted agricultural reform and farmer education.

Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan's eloquent address at the 1896 Democratic Convention advocating for the free coinage of silver.
Symbolized the struggle between gold standard proponents and silver advocates.

Bull Moose Party

The Progressive Party formed under Theodore Roosevelt during the 1912 election.
Focused on progressive reforms, running against fellow Republicans and eventually losing to Woodrow Wilson.

American Federation of Labor

A labor organization focused on skilled workers' rights, emphasizing wages and job security.
Represented a significant shift towards organized labor in various industries.

Coxey's Army

A protest movement in 1893 led by Jacob Coxey, advocating for job creation and government relief for the unemployed.
The march to Washington was ultimately broken up by authorities.

Wounded Knee

Site of a tragic massacre of Lakota Sioux by U.S. soldiers, marking the end of significant Native American resistance.
Represented the violent clashes between Native Americans and the U.S. government.

Knights of Labor

The first national labor union, open to all except lawyers and bankers.
Suffered from lack of clear goals and weak organization, ultimately leading to failure.

ABC Powers

A coalition of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
Attempted to mediate disputes between Mexico and the U.S. in 1914, emphasizing regional diplomacy.

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