Higher Level Multiple Choice Questions
Volume I
Chapter Thirteen, The American Dynamo – Shadowed By War
1. The role of the “yellow press” in the Spanish American War can best be described
as:
A. reporting that painted Cubans as corrupt and totally incapable of selfgovernment.
B. journalism that promoted peace at all costs, until the U.S. came under direct
attack.
C. articles in leading newspapers that argued that imperialism was a violation of
basic American principles.
D. efforts to sensationalize Spanish atrocities and gain public support for war.
2. Many U.S. business leaders opposed war with Spain because:
A. they believed that the U.S. was already over-extended overseas.
B. as a group, they tended to be against any notion that the U.S. would become
an imperialistic power.
C. they believed war would cause a business recession and hurt U.S. industry.
D. they feared that a possible loss in the war would threaten U.S. business
interests in Cuba.
3. A major result of the Spanish-American War was:
A. an inconclusive treaty in which both sides agreed to return to the “status quo
ante bellum.”
B. Cuba remained under Spanish rule, but the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico.
C. the U.S. became a world power with overseas possessions, something new in
its history.
D. The U.S. used its victory to offer self-rule to the people of Cuba and the
Philippines.
4. The philosophy of “white man’s burden” relates to which U.S. policy?
A. The policy of racial segregation overturned in Plessy v. Ferguson
B. The decision to keep the Philippines as a possession so as to “civilize” its
people and one day prepare them for self-rule
C. The decision to rebuild cities in Spain damaged in the Spanish American War
D. The attempt to recognize the rights of unions to organize and bargain
collectively
5. Which best describes the philosophy of Booker T. Washington?
A. He accepted segregation and argued that blacks needed to prove themselves
educationally and economically before demanding more rights.
B. He argued that the key to black progress was access to higher education and
strong legal challenges to injustices.
C. He believed in using his NAACP to challenge Congress and state legislatures
to pass laws bring justice for black citizens.
D. He supported a movement to give blacks the opportunity to return to their
native Africa as the only real way to achieve freedom.
6. Many, if not most, reforms pushed by the Progressive Movement related to:
A. the free silver demands of farmers desperate for a larger money supply.
B. problems created by massive social change brought by industrialism and
urbanization.
C. the demands of immigrants for basic freedoms in their new land.
D. political pressure for votes after the entrance of multiple third parties into the
electoral system.
7. Which U.S. action is most associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick”
policies?
A. Roosevelt’s demands that western states cede land to the national
government for national parks
B. The U.S. declaration of war on France when that nation invaded Mexico
C. Roosevelt’s support of unions in their strikes against giant railroad and steel
corporations
D. U.S. support of a revolution in Panama after Colombia refused to lease a
canal zone to the American government
8. Which of the following most reflects the political philosophy of Theodore
Roosevelt?
A. He was a conservative Republican who was wary of government
involvement in the economy.
B. He was a progressive who supported the break up of trusts, more regulation
of business, and more direct democracy.
C. He was a modern libertarian who believed that “government that governs
least governs best.”
D. He was a progressive on economic issues, but stood squarely against political
measures that would limit the power of political machines like the one that
catapulted him to power.
9. Beyond the tragedy, many Americans saw the sinking of the Titanic as indicative
of:
A. the sloppy and careless workmanship of giant companies producing the
world’s ships and trains.
B. the need to stop once and for all the northern route of travel on trans-Atlantic
crossings.
C. the need to produce new passenger ships with a design known to be
“unsinkable.”
D. the divisions of class that gave undue privileges to some while the poor were
treated unjustly.
10. Woodrow Wilson was a progressive on many issues, but an exception was:
A. his strong support for corporations in their efforts to break unions.
B. his decision to increase, rather than lower, tariff.
C. his support for racist segregation of the federal work force.
D. his refusal to take any action to reform the nation’s banking system.