name:
period:
qse 2 review
1st quarter review: complete the following questions and graphic organizers below about big ideas from the 1st quarter
1. what was the homestead act, and why was it passed?
2. what are 2 adaptations homesteaders used to live more easily in the great plains?
a.
b.
3. what does laissez faire mean? which time period(s) that we have studied so far did the government adopt this philosophy?
4. how did the government’s relationship with business change between the gilded age and progressive era? explain. why did this change take place?
5. what issues occurred in the workplace during the gilded age? name at least 3.
6. what group(s) grew because of the issues in the workplace during the gilded age? what is at least one example of their achievements?
7. the government created much more legislation during the progressive era. in the chart below explain the cause of each piece of legislation
| legislation/regulation | why was it created/what did it do? |
| --- | --- |
| interstate commerce act/commission | |
| pure food and drug act | |
| meat inspection act | |
| sherman anti-trust act | |
| pendleton act | |
8. explain the purpose of each of the progressive amendments below.

Question

name:
period:
qse 2 review
1st quarter review: complete the following questions and graphic organizers below about big ideas from the 1st quarter
1. what was the homestead act, and why was it passed?
2. what are 2 adaptations homesteaders used to live more easily in the great plains?
   a.
   b.
3. what does laissez faire mean? which time period(s) that we have studied so far did the government adopt this philosophy?
4. how did the government’s relationship with business change between the gilded age and progressive era? explain. why did this change take place?
5. what issues occurred in the workplace during the gilded age? name at least 3.
6. what group(s) grew because of the issues in the workplace during the gilded age? what is at least one example of their achievements?
7. the government created much more legislation during the progressive era. in the chart below explain the cause of each piece of legislation
| legislation/regulation | why was it created/what did it do? |
| --- | --- |
| interstate commerce act/commission |  |
| pure food and drug act |  |
| meat inspection act |  |
| sherman anti-trust act |  |
| pendleton act |  |
8. explain the purpose of each of the progressive amendments below.

Accepted Answer

### Question 1: What was the Homestead Act, and why was it passed?
# Brief Explanations:
The Homestead Act (1862) granted 160 acres of public land to any U.S. citizen (or intended citizen) who lived on it, improved it, and paid a small fee. It was passed to encourage westward expansion, populate the Great Plains, and stimulate economic development by making land accessible to settlers (including farmers, laborers, etc.).
# Answer: The Homestead Act (1862) gave 160 acres of public land to settlers (who met residency/improvement requirements) to encourage westward expansion, populate the Great Plains, and boost economic development.

### Question 2: What are 2 adaptations homesteaders used to live more easily in the Great Plains?
# Brief Explanations:
a. **Sod Houses**: Since timber was scarce, homesteaders cut blocks of sod (thick grass with roots/soil) to build homes, which were durable and insulated against extreme temperatures.
b. **Dry Farming/Wheat Varieties**: The Great Plains had less rainfall, so homesteaders used dry farming techniques (e.g., deep plowing to retain moisture) and planted drought - resistant wheat (like hard - winter wheat) to grow crops.
# Answer:
a. Built sod houses (using sod blocks, as timber was rare) for shelter.
b. Used dry farming (and drought - resistant wheat) to grow crops in arid conditions.

### Question 3: What does Laissez - Faire mean? Which time period(s) that we have studied so far did the government adopt this philosophy?
# Brief Explanations:
“Laissez - Faire” is a French term meaning “let do” (or “let alone”). In economics/politics, it means the government should minimize interference in business/economy (no regulations, subsidies, or restrictions on private enterprise). The Gilded Age (late 1800s) saw widespread adoption: the government stayed out of business affairs, allowing capitalism to operate freely (e.g., no antitrust laws initially, minimal labor regulations).
# Answer: Laissez - Faire means “let alone” (government minimizes business/economic interference). The Gilded Age (late 1800s) adopted this philosophy.

### Question 4: How did the government’s relationship with business change between the Gilded Age and Progressive Era? Explain. Why did this change take place?
# Brief Explanations:
- **Change**: Gilded Age: Laissez - Faire (minimal government intervention—no regulations on monopolies, labor, or consumer safety). Progressive Era: Increased regulation (e.g., antitrust laws, labor reforms, consumer protection).
- **Why Change?**: Public outcry over Gilded Age problems (monopolistic abuses, poor working conditions, unsafe products) led to the Progressive movement. Muckrakers exposed corruption/exploitation, and reformers pushed for government to protect the public (workers, consumers) and ensure fair business practices.
# Answer:
- **Change**: Gilded Age = Laissez - Faire (little government - business regulation); Progressive Era = increased regulation (antitrust, labor/consumer protection).
- **Why**: Public outrage over Gilded Age abuses (monopolies, unsafe work/products), muckrakers’ exposés, and Progressive reformers’ pressure to protect the public.

### Question 5: What issues occurred in the workplace during the Gilded Age? Name at least 3.
# Brief Explanations:
1. **Long Hours/Low Wages**: Workers (including children) often worked 10 - 16 - hour days, 6 days a week, for very low pay (e.g., factory workers, miners).
2. **Unsafe Conditions**: Factories, mines, and railroads had few safety regulations—machinery lacked guards, mines were poorly ventilated, leading to frequent accidents/injuries.
3. **Child Labor**: Children (as young as 5 - 6) worked in factories, mines, and mills. They were paid less, faced dangerous conditions, and missed out on education.
4. **Lack of Unions/Collective Bargaining**: Workers had little power to negotiate; employers often fired union organizers, and “company towns” controlled workers’ lives (optional, but 3rd is required—e.g., pick 3: long hours, unsafe conditions, child labor).
# Answer:
1. Long working hours (10 + hours, 6 - day weeks) and low wages.
2. Unsafe working conditions (e.g., unguarded machinery, dangerous mines).
3. Child labor (children working in dangerous jobs, missing education).

### Question 6: What group(s) grew because of the issues in the workplace during the Gilded Age? What is at least one example of their achievements?
# Brief Explanations:
**Labor Unions** (e.g., Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor - AFL) grew.
- **Knights of Labor (1869 - late 1880s)**: Advocated for 8 - hour workdays, equal pay for women, and end to child labor. They organized strikes (e.g., 1885 - 1886 railroad strikes) and gained support from diverse workers (skilled/unskilled, women, immigrants).
- **AFL (founded 1886)**: Focused on skilled workers, used collective bargaining. By the early 1900s, they won better wages/hours for members (e.g., some trades gained 8 - hour days).
(Other: Socialist groups, but unions are most direct.)
# Answer: Labor unions (e.g., Knights of Labor, AFL) grew. Example: Knights of Labor advocated for 8 - hour workdays and organized strikes (e.g., 1885 railroad strike) to improve working conditions.

### Question 7: Explain the cause of each piece of legislation during the Progressive Era (in the chart)
| Legislation/Regulation | Why was it created/what did it do? |
|------------------------|------------------------------------|
| **Interstate Commerce Act/Commission** | Created (1887) to regulate railroad rates (end discrimination against small shippers, ban rebates), oversee interstate railroads. Caused by public outrage over railroad monopolies, unfair pricing (e.g., railroads overcharged farmers/small businesses). The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was the first federal regulatory agency. |
| **Pure Food and Drug Act** | Passed (1906) to regulate food/drug labeling (ban mislabeled “medicines” with harmful ingredients, require truth in labeling). Caused by muckrakers (e.g., Upton Sinclair’s *The Jungle* exposed unsanitary food production, and public fear of unsafe patent medicines). |
| **Meat Inspection Act** | Passed (1906) to require federal inspection of meatpacking plants (ensure sanitary conditions, safe meat for consumers). Caused by *The Jungle* (exposed filthy, unsanitary meatpacking practices), public outcry over food safety. |
| **Sherman Anti - Trust Act** | Passed (1890) to prohibit monopolies/“restraints of trade” (e.g., trusts, cartels) that suppressed competition. Caused by public anger over monopolistic practices (e.g., Standard Oil, railroad trusts) that exploited consumers and small businesses. |
| **Pendleton Act** | Passed (1883) to reform civil service (government jobs). Established merit - based hiring (exams, qualifications) and ended the “spoils system” (awarding jobs to political supporters). Caused by public outrage over political corruption (e.g., assassination of President Garfield by a disappointed office - seeker), demand for fairer government employment. |

# Brief Explanations (for each row):
- **Interstate Commerce Act/Commission**: Railroads had monopoly power, overcharged small shippers. The act regulated rates, banned discrimination; ICC enforced it.
- **Pure Food and Drug Act**: Muckrakers (e.g., Sinclair) exposed unsafe food/drugs. The act regulated labeling, banned harmful “medicines.”
- **Meat Inspection Act**: *The Jungle* exposed unsanitary meatpacking. The act required federal inspection of meat plants.
- **Sherman Anti - Trust Act**: Monopolies (e.g., Standard Oil) suppressed competition. The act banned trusts/monopolies.
- **Pendleton Act**: Spoils system led to corruption (e.g., Garfield’s assassination). The act established merit - based civil service hiring.
# Answer: (See table above for each legislation’s cause/function.)

### Question 8: Explain the purpose of each of the Progressive Amendments (assuming 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th—common Progressive Era amendments):
- **16th Amendment (1913)**: Allowed Congress to levy income tax (to fund government, reduce reliance on tariffs, make tax system more progressive).
- **17th Amendment (1913)**: Established direct election of U.S. Senators (previously elected by state legislatures). Purpose: Reduce political corruption (state legislatures were often bribed), give people more direct control over Senate representation.
- **18th Amendment (1919)**: Prohibited alcohol production/sale (Prohibition). Driven by temperance movements (believed alcohol caused poverty, crime), Progressive reformers’ push for social morality.
- **19th Amendment (1920)**: Granted women’s suffrage (right to vote). Driven by women’s suffrage movements (e.g., NAWSA, NWP), Progressive Era focus on expanding democracy, gender equality.

# Brief Explanations (for each):
- 16th: Income tax for revenue, progressive taxation.
- 17th: Direct Senate elections to reduce corruption, empower voters.
- 18th: Prohibit alcohol (temperance, social reform).
- 19th: Women’s right to vote (gender equality, democratic expansion).
# Answer:
- 16th Amendment: Allows income tax (fund government, progressive tax system).
- 17th Amendment: Direct election of Senators (reduce corruption, empower voters).
- 18th Amendment: Prohibits alcohol (temperance - driven social reform).
- 19th Amendment: Grants women’s suffrage (gender equality, democratic expansion).

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QUESTION IMAGE

Question

Explanation:

Question 1: What was the Homestead Act, and why was it passed?

Answer:

Question 2: What are 2 adaptations homesteaders used to live more easily in the Great Plains?

legislation/regulation	why was it created/what did it do?
pure food and drug act
meat inspection act
sherman anti-trust act
pendleton act