Chapter Chronology

Quiz for Historical Question: “Social Darwinism: Did Wealthy Industrialists Practice What They Preached?”

Select the best answer for each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

Question

1. Social Darwinism resonated with businessmen during the Gilded Age because

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Correct. The answer is a. When applied to the business realm, social Darwinism seemed to suggest to businessmen that industrial developments aided evolutionary progress, and that competition between companies (unfettered by government intervention or regulation) would be beneficial to everyone.
Incorrect. The answer is a. When applied to the business realm, social Darwinism seemed to suggest to businessmen that industrial developments aided evolutionary progress, and that competition between companies (unfettered by government intervention or regulation) would be beneficial to everyone.

Question

2. Why did Andrew Carnegie invite Herbert Spencer to Pittsburgh?

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Correct. The answer is c. Carnegie was a great admirer of Spencer, and considered Spencer’s theories to be transformational to the way he viewed the world. Carnegie wanted to show Spencer his steelworks to demonstrate how powerful evolutionary theory could be in the business world.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Carnegie was a great admirer of Spencer, and considered Spencer’s theories to be transformational to the way he viewed the world. Carnegie wanted to show Spencer his steelworks to demonstrate how powerful evolutionary theory could be in the business world.

Question

3. Although Andrew Carnegie and William Sumner both supported social Darwinism, the difference between the two men was that Sumner

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Correct. The answer is b. Because Sumner was a strict social Darwinist, he opposed all government measures that intervened in the economy—including the protective tariff that industrialists like Carnegie so strongly supported.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Because Sumner was a strict social Darwinist, he opposed all government measures that intervened in the economy—including the protective tariff that industrialists like Carnegie so strongly supported.

Question

4. Most wealthy industrialists’ support for laissez-faire seemed to disappear when the government proposed new

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Correct. The answer is c. Although laissez-faire demanded the elimination of all government intervention in business or the economy, industrialists supported such interventions when they came in the form of beneficial favors, such as tariffs, land grants, or subsidies. It was only the detrimental policies, such as taxes and regulations, that industrialists attacked by invoking laissez-faire philosophy.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Although laissez-faire demanded the elimination of all government intervention in business or the economy, industrialists supported such interventions when they came in the form of beneficial favors, such as tariffs, land grants, or subsidies. It was only the detrimental policies, such as taxes and regulations, that industrialists attacked by invoking laissez-faire philosophy.

Question

5. The evidence presented in this essay supports which of the following historical arguments?

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B.
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Correct. The answer is d. Industrialists like Andrew Carnegie championed social Darwinism and laissez-faire philosophies when it came to the imposition of government taxes and regulations, which could undermine their businesses, but embraced government intervention when it came in the form of tariff or subsidies, which would increase their profits.
Incorrect. The answer is d. Industrialists like Andrew Carnegie championed social Darwinism and laissez-faire philosophies when it came to the imposition of government taxes and regulations, which could undermine their businesses, but embraced government intervention when it came in the form of tariff or subsidies, which would increase their profits.