Period 6: 1865–1898 - The Gilded Age and Industrialization

Economic and Industrial Growth

1. What were the major factors that contributed to the rapid industrialization of the
United States during the Gilded Age?
Answer: Key factors included abundant natural resources, technological innovations (e.g.,
the Bessemer process for steel), expansion of the railroad network, a growing labor force
fueled by immigration, and laissez-faire government policies that supported business
growth.
2. How did business leaders like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller impact the
economy and society?
Answer: Carnegie (steel) and Rockefeller (oil) utilized vertical and horizontal integration,
respectively, to dominate their industries. While they contributed to economic growth,
they also exploited workers and eliminated competition. However, both became noted
philanthropists later in life.
3. What role did the transcontinental railroad play in the economic development of the
West?
Answer: The railroad facilitated westward expansion, connected markets, boosted trade,
and enabled the movement of people and goods. It also led to the displacement of Native
Americans and the growth of industries like cattle ranching and mining.

Labor and Social Issues

4. What were the working conditions like for laborers during this period, and how did
this lead to the formation of labor unions?
Answer: Workers faced long hours, low wages, and dangerous conditions. These
hardships led to the rise of labor unions like the Knights of Labor and the American
Federation of Labor (AFL), which advocated for better working conditions and workers'
rights.
5. Compare the goals and strategies of the Knights of Labor and the American
Federation of Labor (AFL).
Answer: The Knights of Labor aimed for broad social reforms, including equal pay and
an end to child labor, and welcomed all workers. The AFL, led by Samuel Gompers,
focused on practical economic goals such as higher wages and better working conditions,
and it organized only skilled workers.
6. What were the causes and effects of major labor strikes, such as the Haymarket
Affair and the Pullman Strike?
Answer: The Haymarket Affair (1886) was sparked by labor demands for an 8-hour
workday and resulted in violence that weakened the labor movement. The Pullman Strike
(1894) occurred due to wage cuts and high rent in company towns; it disrupted national
rail service and ended with federal intervention, highlighting government-business
alliances.
Immigration and Urbanization

7. What push and pull factors contributed to the wave of immigration to the United
States in the late 19th century?
Answer: Push factors included poverty, political instability, and religious persecution in
Europe. Pull factors were economic opportunities, industrial jobs, and the promise of
freedom in America.
8. How did new immigrants differ from earlier groups, and what challenges did they
face?
Answer: New immigrants came primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, contrasting
with earlier immigrants from Western Europe. They often faced discrimination, lived in
overcrowded tenements, and worked in harsh industrial conditions.
9. What social and political responses emerged to address the challenges of
urbanization and immigration, including nativism?
Answer: The Social Gospel and settlement house movements, such as Jane Addams' Hull
House, aimed to help immigrants. However, nativist sentiments led to policies like the
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) and support for immigration restrictions.

Period 7: 1890–1945 - Progressivism, Imperialism, and

Global Conflict
The Progressive Era

10. What were the main goals of the Progressive movement, and how did it address
issues of political corruption, social injustice, and economic inequality?
Answer: Progressives aimed to curb corporate power, improve social conditions, and
make government more democratic. Reforms included trust-busting, regulatory acts (e.g.,
the Pure Food and Drug Act), and amendments like the 17th (direct election of senators).
11. How did Progressive reformers like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and
Jane Addams contribute to societal changes?
Answer: Roosevelt promoted "Square Deal" policies and conservation efforts. Wilson
implemented "New Freedom" reforms, including the Federal Reserve Act. Addams
helped immigrants through social work at Hull House.

U.S. Imperialism

12. What were the causes and consequences of the Spanish-American War (1898)?
Answer: Causes included the sinking of the USS Maine, sensationalist journalism, and
American support for Cuban independence. The war resulted in the U.S. acquiring
 territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, signaling the rise of American
imperialism.
13. How did the United States justify its imperialistic policies in places like the
Philippines and Hawaii?
Answer: The U.S. used arguments like the need for new markets, the idea of the "White
Man’s Burden," and a belief in spreading democracy and civilization. However, these
policies sparked debates over imperialism and American values.

World War I and Its Aftermath

14. What led to the U.S. involvement in World War I, and what impact did American
entry have on the war?
Answer: The U.S. entered WWI due to unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and
the Zimmerman Telegram. American involvement provided fresh troops and resources,
helping the Allies achieve victory.
15. What were the key points of Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, and how did they
influence the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer: Wilson's points advocated for self-determination, free trade, disarmament, and
the creation of the League of Nations. While the Treaty of Versailles included the
League, harsh penalties on Germany set the stage for future conflict.

The Great Depression and the New Deal

16. What were the main causes of the Great Depression?

Answer: Causes included stock market speculation, overproduction, declining agricultural
prices, and the 1929 stock market crash. The banking system's collapse and high
unemployment worsened the crisis.
17. How did Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal aim to address the economic crisis of the
Great Depression?
Answer: The New Deal included relief (for the unemployed), recovery (to stimulate the
economy), and reform (to prevent future crises). Programs like the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) and Social Security were established.

World War II and Its Impact

18. What were the major events that led the United States into World War II?
Answer: The U.S. initially maintained neutrality but provided support to Allies through
the Lend-Lease Act. The attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) prompted direct
U.S. involvement.
19. How did World War II affect the U.S. economy and society?
Answer: The war ended the Great Depression as industries shifted to wartime production.
Women and minorities gained new job opportunities, though racial tensions persisted,
evidenced by the internment of Japanese Americans.
20. What were the outcomes of World War II, and how did they shape the postwar
world?
Answer: The Allies' victory led to the establishment of the United Nations, the beginning
of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and the U.S. emerging as a global superpower.