16. Document Project 16: Debates about Laissez-Faire

**Quiz for Document 16.6 Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward, 2000–1887, 1888**

Quiz for Document 16.6: Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward, 2000–1887, 1888

Document 16.6: Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward, 2000–1887, 1888

Choose the best answer to the question.

Question 1

1. In the excerpt from Edward Bellamy's novel , what did the character Dr. Leete claim was the final step that resolved the social inequities of the late nineteenth century?

“The great city bazar crushed its country rivals with branch stores. . . till the business . . . was concentrated under one roof.”

“The small capitalists, with their innumerable petty concerns, had in fact yielded the field to the great aggregations of capital.”

“The industry and commerce of the country . . . were intrusted to a single syndicate representing the people, to be conducted in the common interest for the common profit.”

“The absorption of businesses by ever larger monopolies continued.”

Question 2

2. According to Bellamy’s novel, what was one benefit of the consolidation of businesses?

Competition

Efficiency

Equality

Free trade

Question 3

3. Within Bellamy’s novel, who fought against the consolidation of corporations?

average people

Large capitalists

Foreign investors

The government

Question 4

4. Why did Bellamy argue that the small businesses would initially resort to “evading notice for the enjoyment of existence” but would ultimately be forced into selling out to big businesses?

Greed for more profit as part of a big business

Poor leadership decisions within the small businesses

An inability for the small businesses to adapt to change

Pressure from overseas competition and investment

Exploring American HistoriesPrinted Page 546

Chapter Timeline