Quiz 7: The Gilded Age

The cartoon suggests that John D. Rockefeller had become more powerful than the elected government. This is implied by the title "What a Funny Little Government!" and the statement that Rockefeller was pumping oil out of Washington DC, indicating that he had control over the government and its resources. The cartoon expresses fear and concern about the extent of Rockefeller's power and influence, highlighting the potential imbalance of power between a wealthy individual and the elected government.

Andrew Carnegie, also known as Carnegie, controlled a large percentage of the steel industry in the United States. He immigrated from Scotland as a child after his father lost his job as a weaver. Carnegie became one of the most successful industrialists of his time, building a vast empire in the steel industry. His company, Carnegie Steel Company, became the largest and most profitable steel company in the world. Carnegie's success and wealth made him one of the most prominent Robber Barons of the era.

The cartoon expresses the fear that John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company had become too powerful and dominant, symbolized by the image of it strangling the United States government and economy. This suggests concerns about the company's monopoly and control over the market, which could potentially harm competition and the overall economic well-being of the country.

Charles Guiteau assassinated President James Garfield because he was upset about not being appointed for a job in the federal government in return for his political support. This suggests that Guiteau had expected to be rewarded with a government position for his loyalty and was angered by the perceived betrayal.

The Pendleton Civil Service Act attempted to limit government corruption by requiring applicants for jobs to take a civil service exam to demonstrate their qualifications. This measure aimed to ensure that positions in the government were filled based on merit rather than through favoritism or bribery. By implementing a standardized exam, the act aimed to create a more transparent and fair process for hiring government workers, reducing the influence of corruption in the selection of candidates for government positions.

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 limited the power of big businesses by breaking up monopolies into smaller companies. This was done in order to promote competition and prevent any one company from having too much control over a particular industry. By breaking up monopolies, the act aimed to create a more level playing field for businesses and prevent unfair business practices that could harm consumers or stifle competition.

William Jennings Bryan ran as both a Populist Party candidate and a Democratic Party candidate in 1896. He also ran as the Democratic Party candidate in 1900, 1904, and 1908, but unfortunately, he lost all four elections.

The correct answer is The Grange Movement. The Grange Movement was a farmers' organization that emerged in the late 1800s. It aimed to promote the social and economic needs of farmers and counter the monopolistic practices of railroads and grain elevators. The Grange Movement advocated for cooperative purchasing and marketing, as well as political activism to protect farmers' interests. It played a significant role in addressing the challenges faced by farmers during that time period.

The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1882 was signed into law by Chester A. Arthur. This act was a significant reform in the United States civil service system, as it aimed to reduce political corruption and ensure that government jobs were awarded based on merit rather than political connections. Arthur, who served as the 21st President of the United States from 1881 to 1885, played a crucial role in pushing for and signing this act into law.

The populist party hoped that all of these reforms would make government more responsive to citizens and would limit the political power of Robber Barons like Rockefeller and JP Morgan.