FIRST SEMESTER EXAM
Second Grading Period 2015-16
January 11-14
STUDENT NAME ___________________________________DATE_________________________PERIOD_________
Social Studies – U.S. History
Read each question and choose the best answer. Be sure to mark all of your answers.
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1
Growth of Political Machines
Growth of Labor Unions
Cattle Industry Boom
Civil Service Reform
The list above best describes the –
A
Gilded Age
B
Progressive Movement
C
World War I
D Great Depression
2
Why is the year 1898 significant in the history of the United States?
F
It marked the first American victory over a foreign power.
G It demonstrated the need for better communications in wartime.
H It affirmed American support for European economic interests in East Asia.
J
It showed that the United States had become a world power.
Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the
commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer
their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: “You shall not press down upon the
brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”
—William Jennings Bryan, Speech to the Democratic Convention, 1896.
3
The policy above was popular with those who supported –
A
progressivism
B
nativism
C
bimetallism
D imperialism
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U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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Source – U.S. Census Bureau
4
Which statement best explains the trend indicated by the information above?
F
Issues during the Gilded Age led to increased immigration and production.
G Restrictions put into place on immigration would lead to changes in factories.
H Changes brought about by the assembly line would lead to higher production.
J
5
Reforms during the Progressive Era led to changes in the workforce and education.
How did the actions of Sanford B. Dole help move the United States into a position of world power?
A
He wrote articles for the Hearst and Pulitzer newspapers urging U.S. intervention to protect Cuban
rebels from Spanish repression.
B
He led the American sugar and plantation owners who seized power in Hawaii and asked to be
annexed to the United States.
C
He demonstrated in his writings the importance of obtaining colonies, increasing overseas trade
and building a canal in Central America.
D He led those Senators who favored overseas expansion during the debates that took place in the
U.S. Senate in the 1890s.
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U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and the
House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress Assembled, that the state of
war between the United States and the Imperial
German Government which has thus been thrust
upon the United States is hereby formally
declared; and that the President be, and he is
hereby, authorized and directed to employ the
entire naval and military forces of the United
States and the resources of the Government to
carry on war against the Imperial German
Government.
8
The overall impact of the 19th Amendment was
the –
F
creation of income tax
G abolition of the sale and manufacture of
alcohol
H right to vote for women
J
direct election of Senators
― Joint Resolution of Congress, April 6, 1917
6
Which of the events listed below caused the
event excerpted above?
F
Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine and the
De Lôme telegram
9
Which of the following was a belief held by
Social Darwinists in the 1920s?
G Unrestricted submarine warfare and the
Zimmerman telegram
A
More prosperous and technically advanced
people are naturally superior to others.
H The Atlantic Charter and the attack on
Pearl Harbor
B
All people around the world are created
equal.
C
Women are generally more intelligent
than men.
J
Disputes over German colonial claims to
Samoa and the Marshall Islands
D Americans have an obligation to spread
democracy around the world.
7
During the Progressive Era, one goal of statelevel political reformers was to —
A
prevent party leaders from amending
campaign platforms
B
increase the influence of business owners
on regulatory legislation
C
promote the principle of direct democracy
D limit the use of judicial review by circuit
courts
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10 Why was the conviction of Sacco and Vanzetti
socially troublesome? Many people —
F
saw their conviction as the result of
prejudice against immigrants
G hoped Sacco and Vanzetti would become
leaders of an anarchist revolution
H thought Sacco and Vanzetti should be
deported without a trial
J
believed Sacco and Vanzetti acted in
self-defense
U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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11 What was the impact of Charles A. Lindbergh
on American society in the 1920s? He was —
A
a member of the “Lost Generation,” and
wrote novels while living in Paris
B
the first pilot to cross the Atlantic alone,
and represented the triumph of individual
courage
C
an American of German ancestry, and
opposed restrictions on immigration
D a tireless fighter for Civil Rights, and
helped reduce racial prejudice
Geography of Panama
• Tropical climate with prolonged rainy
season
• Coastal plains and rugged mountains on
the interior
• Large interior lake elevated above sea
level
12 How did engineers best overcome the
obstacles during the building of the Canal?
They —
F
built new paved roads so that a greater
number of dump trucks could remove the
excavated earth
G used steam shovels to dredge the interior
lake and bring its elevation down to sea
level
H sprayed insecticides to kill mosquitoes and
built concrete locks to raise ships to a
higher elevation
J
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used pneumatic drills and dynamite to
remove several of Panama’s mountains
13 Which event led to changes in the political
boundaries of the United States right before
the end of the 19th Century? The United
States —
A
acquired new overseas territories as a
result of the Spanish-American War
B
changed part of its northern boundary
with Canada after reaching a compromise
with Great Britain
C
gave independence to some of its former
territories
D seized additional territory from Mexico to
strengthen its defenses against potential
attack
The service thus established shall promote
and regulate the use of the Federal areas
known as national parks, monuments, and
reservations… which purpose is to conserve
the scenery and the natural and historic
objects and the wildlife…
14 What was the purpose for the above
legislation?
F
Allow private industries to build factories
on federal lands
G Give private citizens the opportunity to
purchase federal lands
H Set aside reservations for North American
Indian tribes
J
Provide the national government
regulatory powers over the environment
U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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15 Push factors causing the migration of African Americans from the highlighted states included —
A
social and economic opportunities in the cities
B
segregation, voting restrictions, and violence against African Americans
C
warmer temperatures and better opportunities in the factories
D cheaper land and more advanced farm equipment
16 Which of these was a positive impact of the Harlem Renaissance? African Americans —
F
produced great works of literature sharing their experiences
G introduced perspective to make paintings look more realistic
H developed ties with writers and artists from other nations
J
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successfully challenged New York City’s segregation laws
U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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17 The program shown above contributed to the —
A
discussion of farm issues by Congress
B
expansion of political rights for women
C
growth of political protests in Washington D.C.
D increase in jobs for women in the North
18 This informational poster best illustrates the —
F
resentment shown toward immigrants for taking U.S. jobs
G government effort to implement quotas on immigration
H movement to assimilate immigrants into U.S. culture
J
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requirement that immigrants become U.S. citizens
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• Educator
• Women’s Suffragist
• National president of the Woman’s
Christian Temperance Union
19 The information above best describes —
A
Victoria Woodhull
B
Belva Lockwood
C
Susan B. Anthony
D Frances Willard
21 The newspaper headline above best
demonstrates —
A
how powerful the legislative branch
became after World War I
B
constitutional issues raised during the
Great Depression
C
reasons why the United States became
involved in Europe
D progressive attempts to reform the
national government
After his platoon suffered heavy casualties
and 3 other noncommissioned officers had
become casualties, Cpl. York assumed
command. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he
charged with great daring a machine gun
nest which was pouring deadly and incessant
fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the
machine gun nest was taken, together with 4
officers and 128 men and several guns.
20 The citation above best describes the actions
of —
F
Alvin York
G Henry Cabot Lodge
H Alfred Thayer Mahan
J
John J. Pershing
22 Which sentence best describes the effects of
the Teapot Dome Scandal? Americans —
F
G were outraged to learn that federal
officials had secretly sent arms to a
foreign government linked to terrorists
H became less trustful of government after
they learned that a cabinet member had
accepted bribes for oil leases
J
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were shocked to learn that the President
had attempted to cover up wrongdoing in
the federal government
lost confidence in their government when
they learned their President had lied
under oath about his personal
relationships
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I have loved but one flag and I can not share that
devotion and give affection to the mongrel banner
invented for the League of Nations.
— Henry Cabot Lodge
23 The speaker above is an example of —
A
controversy regarding joining an international organization
B
reasons why Congress should declare war against Spain
C
thinking behind protecting the flag of the United States
D a Senator who supported the League of Nations
24 The political cartoon above reflected popular opinion that would influence the —
F
passage of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, allowing for the direct election of Senators
G appointment of state-level judges to the Supreme Court during the New Deal
H election of 1932, ousting then President Herbert Hoover and electing Franklin Roosevelt
J
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decision by Roosevelt to propose a bill that would change the structure of the Supreme Court
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25 Which of the following best completes the diagram above?
A
“Reasons for American Exceptionalism”
B
“Social and Economic Issues During the Great Depression”
C
“Historical Examples of Constitutional Amendments”
D “The Political Platform of the Populist Party”
26 Books such as The Grapes of Wrath and photographic series such as Pea Pickers in California are —
F
works that were created during the Tin Pan Alley movement
G examples of how art and literature reflect the culture of an era
H often used to demonstrate the political issues of the Roaring Twenties
J
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sometimes used as examples illustrations on how to get published
U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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27 The photograph above is a good example of the use of —
A
bringing attention to how many women were unemployed
B
non-violent protesting in order to bring about change
C
insults in order to get arrested for violating the constitution
D signs to encourage Congress to get involved in international conflict
“...This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of Wealth: First, to set an
example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to
provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and
after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust
funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of
duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to
produce the most beneficial results for the community…
— Andrew Carnegie, “Wealth,” North American Review, June 1889
28 The author above demonstrated what he wrote about by —
F
funding numerous libraries and educational institutions
G serving many years in the federal government
H investing his fortune in several new industries
J
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promoting programs to benefit the wealthy
U.S History - First Semester Exam January 2016
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UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
Year
Population
Labor Force
Unemployed
1929
88,010,000
49,440,000
1,550,000
Percentage
of Labor
Force
3.14
1930
89,550,000
50,080,000
4,340,000
8.67
1931
90,710,000
50,680,000
8,020,000
15.82
1932
91,810,000
51,250,000
12,060,000
23.53
1933
92,950,000
51,840,000
12,830,000
24.75
1934
94,190,000
52,490,000
11,340,000
21.60
1935
95,460,000
53,140,000
10,610,000
19.97
1936
96,700,000
53,740,000
9,030,000
16.80
1937
97,870,000
54,320,000
7,700,000
14.18
1938
99,120,000
54,950,000
10,390,000
18.91
1939
100,360,000
55,600,000
9,480,000
17.05
1940
101,560,000
56,180,000
8,120,000
14.45
1941
102,700,000
57,530,000
5,560,000
9.66
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States,
Colonial Times to 1957 (Washington, D.C., 1960), p.70.
29 Which inference can be made from the table above?
A
The New Deal did not completely eliminate high unemployment.
B
The Supreme Court’s decisions against New Deal programs had no effect on unemployment.
C
The federal government was spending too much money during the New Deal.
D Passage of the Wagner Act and other pro-labor laws reduced unemployment.
30 Which of the following was a benefit of the laissez faire policies practiced by state and federal
governments during the Gilded Age?
F
Businesses avoided corruption by following their own codes of ethics.
G Many American industries, such as railroads, steel and oil, achieved rapid growth.
H Business owners helped pay for many of the expenses of government.
J
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Businesses were motivated to provide good pay and fair working conditions to their employees.
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• Clashes between Modernism and
Traditionalism
• Rise of Consumerism
• Jazz
• Racial Tension
• Mild Recession Then Economic Boom
• Increased Unemployment
• Women Were Working in Traditional
Male Jobs
• Industries Went Back to Peacetime
Production
31 The characteristics above best describe —
A
Reconstruction
B
Age of Imperialism
C
Roaring Twenties
34 The conditions listed above were the
economic effects of —
F
anti-trust acts
G World War I
D World War II
H Progressive reforms
J
Roaring Twenties
32 Congress passed the Interstate Commerce
Act (1887) and the Sherman Antitrust Act
(1890) in response to —
F
foreign influences on the United States
economy
G public demand for better roads
H the failure of federal banks to provide
loans to individuals
J
monopolistic practices that were harmful
to small businesses
Section 2. That the introduction into any State
or Territory or the District of Columbia from
any other State or Territory or the District of
Columbia, or from any foreign country, or
shipment to any foreign country of any article
of food or drugs which is adulterated or
misbranded, within the meaning of this Act, is
hereby prohibited.
33 The legislation cited above is a good example
of how Congress —
A
could now interfere in economic activities
in a single state
B
remained largely under the control of
large corporations and campaign
contributors
C
changed the relationship between the
federal government and private
businesses
We have itemized with some degree of
particularity the things that ought to be
altered and here are some of the chief items:
... a banking and currency system based on
the necessity of the government to sell its
bonds fifty years ago and perfectly adapted to
concentrating cash and restricting credits…
—Woodrow Wilson, First Inaugural Address,
March 4, 1913
35 The issues mentioned in the excerpt above
would eventually lead to the creation of
the —
A
Federal Trade Commission
B
Social Security Administration
C
Interstate Commerce Commission
D Federal Reserve system
D still had the ability to override a
Presidential veto on occasion
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"America's present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not
revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity;
not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise; not
submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality”.
— Warren G. Harding
May 14, 1920
36 The largest effects of the policy mentioned above include —
F
growth of the medical profession – strict export tariffs – increased foreign production
G growth of labor unions – passage of child-labor laws – closer relations with European nations
H lower income taxes for the wealthy - Smoot-Hawley Tariff – repeal of some Progressive measures
J
new territories – construction of the Panama Canal – expansion into Asian markets
37 The political cartoon above is criticizing the practice of —
A
the Federal Reserve
B
eating out in restaurants
C
speculation on the stock market
D the bear market sell-off
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“I used to miss the states so much! I would
cry every night because I was real lonely...I
would write to my sister and I told her about
my problem. I still had hopes of coming to
my country. This was in 1951 that I came
back to the states. She sent me the fare
from Gómez Palacio to Colton [California].
The immigration people came on the train
and asked all tourists to please take out their
passports and all your other papers...I told
him [immigration official] that I was to meet
my sister who was waiting for me the next
day. I had my papers, everything...my birth
certificate...that was it... to prove that I was
born here in the states.”
38 The speaker above is talking about her
experiences with —
F
drafting processes during World War I
G deportation programs during the Great
Depression
H growth of the railroads during the Gilded
Age
J
coming to Ellis Island during the
immigration boom
Source: National Archives
40 How did the invention shown in this patent
illustration affect industry?
F
Machines needed to be repaired less
frequently.
G Products could be manufactured on an
assembly line.
H Businesses needed to hire skilled
workers.
J
Factories could extend working hours.
United States government corporation
acting as an independent agency
created by the Banking Act of 1933. As
of August 2014, it guarantees the safety
of a depositor's accounts in member
banks up to $250,000.
39 The information above best describes —
A
a New Deal program that still protects
the money of U.S. citizens today
B
C
41 The Open Door policy of 1899 was originally
adopted so that the United States could —
A
gain equal trading rights in China
how bankers are responsible for working
with insurance companies
B
restrict Chinese immigration
C
stop Japan from colonizing China
the role of the Bank of the United States
since 1933
D encourage the development of
democracy in China
D the limits of how much an individual can
invest in U.S. bonds
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42 The process demonstrated in the picture
above would lead to —
F
an increase in productivity
F
failure of credit unions along the Western
portion of the United States
G bank holidays at the beginning of the
First 100 Days
G a decline in employment
H a spike in tariffs
J
44 The picture above is of depositors outside of
a bank. This occurrence of the 1930s would
directly lead to —
H the election of Herbert Hoover in 1928 to
President of the United States
the lowering in income tax
J
That the master of any vessel who shall
knowingly bring within the United States on
such vessel, and land or permit to be
landed, any Chinese laborer, from any
foreign port or place, shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine of not
more than five hundred dollars for each and
every such Chinese laborer so brought, and
may be also imprisoned for a term not
exceeding one year…
large amount of gold deposits into federal
reserves
Statement by an American inventor,
March 1876
I feel that I have at last found the solution of a
great problem, and the day is coming when
[telephone] wires will be laid on to houses just
like water and gas is, and friends will converse
with each other without leaving home.
43 Passage of this legislation was mainly a
response to —
45 Which of the following inventors made this
statement?
A
demands by businesses for additional
workers
B
efforts of the American Federation of
Labor to recruit skilled workers
A
Thomas Edison
B
Henry Bessemer
economic and race-based opposition to
immigrants in the western United States
C
George Westinghouse
C
D pressure from railroads to limit
competition in shipping
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D Alexander Graham Bell
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