U.S. II Midterm Exam Study Guide
People/Terms/Events
Industrial Age:
Vertical Consolidation
Horizontal Consolidation
Monopoly
Piece Work
Sweat Shop
Bessemer Process
Labor Union
Social Darwinism
Philanthropy
Laissez-Faire
Andrew Carnegie
John Rockefeller
Henry Bessemer
Henry Clay Frick
Alexander Graham Bell (telephone)
Exploitation
Immigration:
Push Factor
Pull Factor
Ghetto
Tenement
Populist Movement:
William Jennings Bryan
William McKinley
Deflation
Inflation
Goldbug
Silverite
Bi-Metallic Standard
Boss Tweed
Tariff
Ballot Stuffing
Graft
Progressive Movement:
Progressivism
Settlement House (Hull House)
Jane Addams
Theodore Roosevelt
16th Amendment
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Pure Food and Drug Act
Meat Inspection Act
19th Amendment
Muckrakers
Jacob Riis
“How the Other Half Lives”
Upton Sinclair
“The Jungle”
U.S. Imperialism:
Imperialism
Colony
Isolationism
Panama Canal
Anti-Imperialists
Yellow Journalism
DeLome Letter
USS Maine
Cuban Rebellion (1895)
Spanish-American War (1898)
Puerto Rico
The Philippines
Guam
Platt Amendment
Roosevelt Corollary
Monroe Doctrine
Naval Advisory Board
Naval Act of 1890
Great White Fleet
Theodore Roosevelt
William McKinley
Key Concepts:
 Impact Theodore Roosevelt had on the U.S. during his political career
how it affects us today (Progressive Era & Imperialism)
 Significance of the Bessemer Process to the steel industry and the U.S. as
a whole (Construction - The Modern City)
 Working conditions in the factories during the late 1800’s and early
1900’s and how these conditions led to the formation of labor unions
 Living conditions in the tenement buildings in the cities for the working
class
 Connection between philanthropy and Social Darwinism expressed in
Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth”
 Robber Barons vs. Captains of Industry (characteristics - Differences)
 Hardships (the plight) faced by the American farmer during the 1800’s
(after the Civil War) and who they blamed and why
 Economic Trends of Inflation and Deflation – Definition – Impact on the
value of the dollar – Causes
 Gold Bugs vs. Silverites (Deflation vs. Inflation) - Explain their
differences (Who supported which economic trend and why?)
 Political corruption during the late 1800’s – early 1900’s (what was
going on, who was responsible, who was suffering?)
 Relationship between Progressive Reformers and Muckrakers (T.R.,
“The Jungle,” the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Meat Inspection Act)
 One PROBLEM (Social, Political, Economic) addressed and One
REFORM created by the Progressives during the late 1800’s – early
1900’s
 Economic factors (role of the Industrial Revolution) that led nations to
turn to Imperialism
 Positives and Negatives of Imperialism (Imperialists’ Arguments Vs.
Anti-Imperialists’ Arguments)
 The controversy and impact of the U.S. building the Panama Canal
 Similarities and differences between Muckraking & Yellow Journalism
Essay: Choose ONE of the following and answer it in a well thought out
essay.
1. In the late 1800’s the United States made a pivotal historical decision
to change its foreign policy. Traditionally we had been an
Isolationist nation (staying out of foreign affairs) and had not
engaged in the race for colonies that European nations had been
involved in for centuries. However, all that would change for the
United States beginning in 1890. In a well thought out essay address
the following:
a. Discuss the “next step for the United States” after the Western Frontier was
declared closed in 1890.
b. Discuss the role the Industrial Revolution played in the decision-making
process leading towards Imperialism.
c. Discuss ONE main argument FOR U.S. Imperialism.
d. Discuss ONE main argument AGAINST U.S. Imperialism.
e. Explain the role the Spanish-American War played in our nation’s transition
from Isolationism –to – Imperialism during the late 1890’s.
i. ONE main reason we got involved in Cuba’s affairs with Spain.
ii. The significance of the results for the United States of this war.
(How do the results connect to imperialism?)
2. In the 1800’s – early 1900’s the United States experienced an era of
unparalleled growth and change. During this time period America
became an industrialized nation. Certain businessmen who became
known as Industrialists (such as Andrew Carnegie & John
Rockefeller) amassed huge fortunes while most of their workers lived
in poverty. Compare the lifestyles of these Industrialists and their
workers. In a well thought out essay address the following:
a. Identify and explain ONE major business method/strategy used by the
Industrialists to help expand their businesses.
b. Identify the Industrialist’s ultimate goal for their businesses during this time
period.
c. Explain why these businessmen (Industrialists) did not care about how their
decisions or actions affected their workers.
d. Identify and explain the government’s policy concerning business in America
during this time period.
e. Discuss ONE positive effect of Industrialization (economic or social).
f. Discuss the impact Industrialization and the Industrialists’
methods/strategies/attitudes/philosophies had on the working class (negative
effects of Industrialization)
3. During the early 1900’s the world experienced a change in how wars
were to be fought. These changes will lead to what will be considered
“Modern Warfare.” From this moment on, war will never be the
same. Discuss the connection between technology and warfare and
the impact it has on the world. In a well thought out essay address
the following:
a. Explain the overall impact the Industrial Revolution has on war.
b. Identify and explain TWO new weapons developed and used to fight in World
War I.
c. Discuss the impact these new weapons (the two weapons chosen from above)
had on war then and now.
d. Distinguish for yourself (opinion), if these specific advancements in
technology have an overall positive or negative effect on the world. (Justify
your response – Support your opinion)