Review Questions

1. Mark Twain’s Gilded Age is a reference to ________.
conditions in the South in the pre–Civil War era
the corrupt politics of the post–Civil War era
the populist movement
the Republican Party

2. How did the Great Compromise of 1877 influence the election?
It allowed a bilateral government agreement.
It gave new power to northern Republicans.
It encouraged southern states to support Hayes.
It gave the federal government new powers.

3. What accounted for the relative weakness of the federal government during this era?

4. A Mugwump is ________.
a supporter of the spoils system
a liberal Democrat
a former member of the Republican Party
a moderate Stalwart

5. Which president made significant steps toward civil service reform?
Chester A. Arthur
Benjamin Harrison
Grover Cleveland
Roscoe Conkling

6. Why were U.S. presidents (with few exceptions) so adamant about protecting the spoils system of patronage during the late nineteenth century?

7. Which of the following was not a vehicle for the farmers’ protest?
the Mugwumps
the Grange
the Farmers’ Alliance
the People’s Party

8. Which of the following contributed directly to the plight of farmers?
machine politics
labor unions
overproduction
inadequate supply

9. What were women’s roles within the Farmer’s Alliance?

10. How were members of Coxey’s Army received when they arrived in Washington?
They were given an audience with the president.
They were given an audience with members of Congress.
They were ignored.
They were arrested.

11. Which of the following does not represent one of the ways in which William Jennings Bryan appealed to Populists?
He came from farm country.
He supported free silver.
He supported the subtreasury system.
He advocated for higher tariffs.