Common Assessment Quiz # 1

The reformers believed that alcohol was responsible for crime, poverty, and violence against women. This suggests that they saw alcohol as a root cause of social issues and believed that by prohibiting its consumption, they could address these problems.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire was a tragic event that occurred on March 25, 1911, in New York City. It resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers, mainly young immigrant women. The fire highlighted the unsafe working conditions and lack of fire safety measures in factories at the time. This event sparked public outrage and led to significant reforms in workplace safety regulations, such as the creation of the Factory Investigating Commission and the passage of new labor laws. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire is considered a turning point for reform in workplace safety.

Theodore Roosevelt created the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service because he recognized that natural resources were limited and believed that their use needed to be controlled. This suggests that he understood the importance of preserving and managing natural resources for future generations. By establishing these organizations, he aimed to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and protect them from overexploitation.

Nativists resented immigrants because they blamed immigrants for increases in crime and poverty and said immigrants took jobs away from Americans. This resentment stemmed from the belief that immigrants were responsible for negative societal effects and were taking opportunities away from native-born Americans. This perception fueled hostility towards immigrants and contributed to discriminatory attitudes and policies.

Muckrakers prepared the way for political reforms by exposing corruption through their writing. They were investigative journalists who uncovered and publicized various forms of corruption and wrongdoing in society. Their articles and books shed light on issues such as political corruption, corporate abuses, and social injustices, which led to public awareness and outrage. This exposure created a demand for political reforms to address these issues and hold those responsible accountable. By bringing these issues to the forefront, muckrakers played a crucial role in paving the way for political reforms.

Anti-suffragists feared that if women got the right to vote, they would ignore their duties at home. This fear stemmed from the belief that women's primary role was to be homemakers and caretakers, and that involvement in politics and voting would distract them from fulfilling these responsibilities. Anti-suffragists argued that women's participation in public affairs would lead to neglect of their domestic duties and disrupt traditional gender roles in society.

Social Darwinists applied Darwin's theories to society by believing that stronger individuals, businesses, and nations would thrive and succeed, while weaker ones would struggle and fail. This ideology justified the idea of competition and survival of the fittest in society, promoting the idea that those who were more capable and successful deserved their wealth and power, while those who were less successful were seen as deserving their struggles. This belief system often led to the justification of social inequality and the refusal to provide assistance or support to those who were deemed weaker or less capable.

The correct answer is the direct election of senators. The Seventeenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, changed the way senators were chosen. Prior to this amendment, senators were selected by state legislatures. However, the Seventeenth Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators by the people. This reform aimed to increase democracy and give citizens a more direct say in the political process.

The correct answer is "Death rates in New York dropped dramatically." This suggests that the environment for residents became healthier after the passage of the New York Tenement Act of 1901. A significant decrease in death rates indicates that measures taken to improve living conditions, hygiene, and safety in tenement buildings were effective. This improvement in public health is a strong indicator of a healthier environment for residents.

Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle exposed the unsanitary and unsafe conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to public outrage. This public outcry prompted the government to take action, resulting in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act. This legislation aimed to regulate and improve the quality and safety of meat products, ensuring that they were inspected before being sold to the public. Therefore, the correct answer is the passage of the Meat Inspection Act.

The struggle for women's suffrage refers to the movement and efforts made by women to gain the right to vote. The ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment marked the final victory for this movement. The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote, ensuring their suffrage. The NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) was an organization that played a significant role in advocating for women's suffrage, but it was not the final outcome or the amendment itself. The Constitution and Suffrage Act are not specific enough to accurately represent the final victory of the women's suffrage movement.

The worst possible outcome of discrimination against African Americans were lynchings. Lynchings were brutal acts of violence where individuals, predominantly African Americans, were unlawfully killed by mobs. These acts were fueled by racial hatred and were used as a means to assert dominance and control over the African American community. Lynchings were a horrific form of racial violence that caused immense fear, trauma, and loss of life, making them the most extreme and devastating consequence of discrimination against African Americans.