Quiz for Sources for America’s History, Chapter 17

Question

1. In his essay “Wealth” (Document 17-1), Andrew Carnegie made an argument that defended industrialization and advocated which of the following?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is b. In his essay, Carnegie argued that despite its creation of vast inequalities, industrialization also made possible the conditions that improved life for everyone. It allowed for the production of cheap goods that many people could afford, but it also created vast quantities of wealth that industrialists could—and should—use to benefit society as a whole. Carnegie argued that wealthy industrialists should not spend their money on luxuries, but that they should invest in philanthropic projects such as schools, public libraries, and other institutions that promoted the development of the arts and culture.
Incorrect. The answer is b. In his essay, Carnegie argued that despite its creation of vast inequalities, industrialization also made possible the conditions that improved life for everyone. It allowed for the production of cheap goods that many people could afford, but it also created vast quantities of wealth that industrialists could—and should—use to benefit society as a whole. Carnegie argued that wealthy industrialists should not spend their money on luxuries, but that they should invest in philanthropic projects such as schools, public libraries, and other institutions that promoted the development of the arts and culture.

Question

2. How did Terence Powderly’s beliefs about wealth (Document 17-2) compare to those of Andrew Carnegie (Document 17-1)?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is b. Carnegie assumed that any wealth created through his industrial operations rightly belonged to him to spend as he saw fit. Powderly, on the other hand, assumed that the workers played a major role in the creation of industrial wealth and that they deserved a fair share of it. He did not agree that such wealth should be distributed through philanthropy by the wealthy, but that it should go directly to the workers through their wages.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Carnegie assumed that any wealth created through his industrial operations rightly belonged to him to spend as he saw fit. Powderly, on the other hand, assumed that the workers played a major role in the creation of industrial wealth and that they deserved a fair share of it. He did not agree that such wealth should be distributed through philanthropy by the wealthy, but that it should go directly to the workers through their wages.

Question

3. According to Kaztauskis’s “Life Story of a Lithuanian” (Document 17-3), the American Federation of Labor influenced his life in which of the following ways?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is c. Kaztauskis wrote about how, once he became affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, the organization helped him learn English and also achieved better wages and working conditions for the workers in his plant, which raised Kaztauskis’s standard of living.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Kaztauskis wrote about how, once he became affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, the organization helped him learn English and also achieved better wages and working conditions for the workers in his plant, which raised Kaztauskis’s standard of living.

Question

4. The 1882 passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act (Document 17-4) supports which of the following arguments about nineteenth-century immigration policy in the United States?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is b. Anti-immigrant attitudes were very strong in the United States at the end of the nineteenth century, but the racist rhetoric and violence directed at the Chinese was particularly virulent. In response to such sentiments, the U.S. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This piece of legislation became the legal foundation for quota-based exclusionary legislation enacted in the twentieth century to limit immigration from Europe as well.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Anti-immigrant attitudes were very strong in the United States at the end of the nineteenth century, but the racist rhetoric and violence directed at the Chinese was particularly virulent. In response to such sentiments, the U.S. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This piece of legislation became the legal foundation for quota-based exclusionary legislation enacted in the twentieth century to limit immigration from Europe as well.

Question

5. Which of the following points was Joseph Keppler trying to make with his 1893 cartoon entitled “Looking Backward” (Document 17-5)?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is c. Joseph Keppler’s cartoon was intended to point out the hypocrisy of those who expressed anti-immigrant views or support for exclusionist legislation. The shadows behind the wealthy men in top hats represent their own immigrant backgrounds and illustrate how they were trying to halt the very process that had brought their ancestors to America.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Joseph Keppler’s cartoon was intended to point out the hypocrisy of those who expressed anti-immigrant views or support for exclusionist legislation. The shadows behind the wealthy men in top hats represent their own immigrant backgrounds and illustrate how they were trying to halt the very process that had brought their ancestors to America.

Question

6. In his article “The Good and the Evil of Industrial Combination” (Document 17-6), Arthur Twining Hadley argued that corporate monopolies could be problematic and that it was important to control them. Which of the following methods of controlling monopolies did he advocate?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is d. Hadley believed that the biggest problem with monopolies was that they tended to slow the development of innovation and efficiency in any given industry. To control them, he believed that enforced publicity—corporate accountability to public commissions who monitored their books and activities—was the best method.
Incorrect. The answer is d. Hadley believed that the biggest problem with monopolies was that they tended to slow the development of innovation and efficiency in any given industry. To control them, he believed that enforced publicity—corporate accountability to public commissions who monitored their books and activities—was the best method.