Apush Unit 7 Progress Check Mcq

The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, the focus of APUSH Unit 7, represent a pivotal transformation in American society, economics, and politics. Understanding the nuances of this era is crucial for success on the APUSH exam, particularly the multiple-choice questions (MCQs). This article delves into the key concepts, events, and figures covered in Unit 7, offering a comprehensive guide to help you ace the Progress Check MCQs.

The Gilded Age: Industrialization and Its Discontents

The Gilded Age, roughly spanning from the 1870s to 1900, witnessed unprecedented industrial growth. This growth, however, came at a cost, marked by significant social and economic inequality.

Key Themes of the Gilded Age

• Industrialization: Driven by technological innovations like the railroad, steel production, and electricity, American industries experienced rapid expansion. This led to the rise of large corporations and powerful industrialists.
• Immigration: Millions of immigrants, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, arrived in the United States, seeking economic opportunities. This influx of new labor fueled industrial growth but also created social tensions.
• Urbanization: Cities grew exponentially, leading to overcrowding, sanitation problems, and social unrest. Urban areas became centers of both opportunity and poverty.
• Political Corruption: The era was characterized by widespread corruption in government at all levels. Political machines, like Tammany Hall in New York City, controlled elections and dispensed favors in exchange for votes.
• Rise of Labor Movements: Workers faced harsh conditions, low wages, and long hours. This led to the formation of labor unions, such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor, which fought for better working conditions and workers' rights.
• Social Darwinism: The belief that the wealthy were successful because they were inherently superior, justifying vast disparities in wealth and power.

Key Figures of the Gilded Age

• Andrew Carnegie: A steel magnate who advocated for philanthropy but also faced criticism for his treatment of workers.
• John D. Rockefeller: The founder of Standard Oil, who controlled a vast monopoly over the oil industry.
• Cornelius Vanderbilt: A railroad tycoon who amassed a fortune through aggressive business practices.
• J.P. Morgan: A powerful financier and banker who played a significant role in consolidating industries.
• Terence V. Powderly: Leader of the Knights of Labor, advocating for a broad range of reforms, including an eight-hour workday.
• Samuel Gompers: Founder of the American Federation of Labor, focusing on practical goals such as higher wages and better working conditions.

Sample MCQ Questions and Explanations

Question 1:

Which of the following was a major consequence of industrialization in the United States during the Gilded Age?

(A) A decline in immigration rates

(B) Increased government regulation of businesses

(C) The rise of a large working class and growing social inequality

(D) A decrease in urbanization

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Industrialization led to the growth of factories and industries, attracting workers from rural areas and abroad. This created a large working class, often facing low wages and harsh conditions, which exacerbated social inequality.

Question 2:

The Social Gospel movement primarily focused on:

(A) Promoting laissez-faire economic policies

(B) Applying Christian ethics to social problems

(C) Advocating for stricter immigration laws

(D) Supporting the principles of Social Darwinism

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Social Gospel movement sought to address social problems like poverty and inequality through the application of Christian principles. It advocated for reforms such as improved working conditions and the abolition of child labor.

The Progressive Era: Reform and Regulation

The Progressive Era, spanning from the 1890s to the 1920s, was a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States. Progressives sought to address the problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption.

Key Themes of the Progressive Era

• Political Reform: Progressives aimed to increase democracy and reduce corruption in government. This included advocating for reforms like the initiative, referendum, and recall, as well as direct election of senators (17th Amendment).
• Economic Regulation: Progressives sought to regulate big business and protect consumers and workers. This led to the passage of laws like the Sherman Antitrust Act and the creation of agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Social Justice: Progressives fought for social justice reforms, including women's suffrage, child labor laws, and temperance.
• Conservation: Progressives advocated for the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
• Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social problems, raising public awareness and galvanizing support for reform.

Key Figures of the Progressive Era

• Theodore Roosevelt: A Progressive president who championed trust-busting, conservation, and consumer protection.
• Woodrow Wilson: A Progressive president who enacted significant economic and labor reforms, including the creation of the Federal Reserve System.
• Jane Addams: A social reformer and founder of Hull House, a settlement house that provided services to immigrants and the poor.
• Ida Tarbell: A muckraker who exposed the corrupt practices of Standard Oil.
• Upton Sinclair: Author of The Jungle, which exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry and led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act.
• Robert M. La Follette: A Progressive governor and senator who championed political reforms like the direct primary.
• W.E.B. Du Bois: A civil rights activist who advocated for full equality for African Americans and co-founded the NAACP.

Key Legislation of the Progressive Era

• Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): Aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition.
• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded food and drugs.
• Meat Inspection Act (1906): Established sanitary standards for meatpacking plants.
• Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act and protected labor unions from being considered illegal monopolies.
• Federal Reserve Act (1913): Created the Federal Reserve System, providing a more stable and flexible monetary system.
• 16th Amendment (1913): Authorized the federal government to collect income taxes.
• 17th Amendment (1913): Provided for the direct election of senators by the people.
• 18th Amendment (1919): Prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition).
• 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote (women's suffrage).

Sample MCQ Questions and Explanations

Question 1:

Which of the following was a primary goal of the Progressive movement?

(A) To promote laissez-faire capitalism

(B) To expand American imperialism

(C) To address the social and economic problems caused by industrialization

(D) To reduce the size and scope of the federal government

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The Progressive movement aimed to address the negative consequences of industrialization, such as poverty, inequality, and political corruption.

Question 2:

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle primarily contributed to:

(A) The passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act

(B) The establishment of the Federal Reserve System

(C) The enactment of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act

(D) The creation of the National Park System

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The Jungle exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to public outrage and the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

Question 3:

The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution granted:

(A) African American men the right to vote

(B) Women the right to vote

(C) Native Americans citizenship

(D) Eighteen-year-olds the right to vote

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote, a major victory for the women's suffrage movement.

Imperialism and America's Rise to World Power

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the United States emerge as a major world power, driven by economic interests, strategic considerations, and a belief in American exceptionalism.

Key Themes of American Imperialism

• Economic Expansion: American businesses sought new markets and resources abroad, leading to increased trade and investment in foreign countries.
• Strategic Interests: The United States sought to control strategic locations, such as the Panama Canal, to enhance its military and economic power.
• Manifest Destiny and Social Darwinism: Some Americans believed that it was their duty to spread American values and institutions around the world, reflecting a belief in American exceptionalism and Social Darwinism.
• The Spanish-American War (1898): This war resulted in the United States acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American influence.
• The Open Door Policy: Aimed to maintain access to China's markets for all nations.
• The Roosevelt Corollary: An extension of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the right of the United States to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries.

Key Events and Figures

• Spanish-American War (1898): A conflict between the United States and Spain that resulted in the U.S. acquiring several territories.
• Theodore Roosevelt: As president, he pursued an aggressive foreign policy, including the construction of the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary.
• Alfred Thayer Mahan: A naval strategist who argued that naval power was essential for national greatness, influencing the expansion of the U.S. Navy.
• Anti-Imperialist League: A group of Americans who opposed the annexation of the Philippines and other imperialistic policies.

Sample MCQ Questions and Explanations

Question 1:

The Spanish-American War resulted in the United States acquiring which of the following territories?

(A) Cuba

(B) Hawaii

(C) The Philippines

(D) Alaska

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The Spanish-American War resulted in the United States acquiring the Philippines, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam. Cuba became independent, though under significant U.S. influence. Hawaii was annexed separately in 1898. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867.

Question 2:

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine asserted the right of the United States to:

(A) Establish colonies in Africa

(B) Intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries

(C) Form alliances with European powers

(D) Promote free trade with Asia

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the United States had the right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries if they were unable to maintain stability or pay their debts.

World War I and Its Aftermath

World War I (1914-1918) had a profound impact on the United States, both domestically and internationally. Initially, the United States remained neutral, but eventually entered the war in 1917.

Key Themes of World War I

• Neutrality: Initially, the United States adopted a policy of neutrality, seeking to avoid entanglement in European conflicts.
• Reasons for U.S. Entry: Factors that led to U.S. entry into the war included German unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmerman Telegram, and a desire to protect American economic interests.
• The American Expeditionary Force (AEF): The U.S. military force that fought in Europe, led by General John J. Pershing.
• The Home Front: The war led to increased government control over the economy, the suppression of dissent, and the mobilization of resources for the war effort.
• Wilson's Fourteen Points: President Woodrow Wilson's plan for peace after the war, advocating for principles such as self-determination, freedom of the seas, and the League of Nations.
• The Treaty of Versailles: The treaty that ended World War I, which imposed harsh terms on Germany and created the League of Nations.
• The League of Nations: An international organization proposed by Wilson to promote peace and cooperation among nations, but the United States Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and join the League.

Key Figures and Events

• Woodrow Wilson: President of the United States during World War I, he advocated for neutrality initially but eventually led the country into war.
• John J. Pershing: Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF).
• The Zimmerman Telegram: A secret message from Germany to Mexico, proposing an alliance against the United States, which fueled anti-German sentiment in America.
• The Lusitania: A British passenger liner sunk by a German submarine in 1915, killing many Americans and increasing pressure on the United States to enter the war.

Sample MCQ Questions and Explanations

Question 1:

Which of the following was a major reason for the United States' entry into World War I?

(A) The desire to acquire new colonies in Africa

(B) The Zimmerman Telegram

(C) The invasion of Poland

(D) The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Zimmerman Telegram, in which Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico against the United States, was a major factor that led to U.S. entry into World War I. The invasion of Poland was a cause of World War II, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered World War I but did not directly involve the United States.

Question 2:

President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points were primarily intended to:

(A) Punish Germany for its role in World War I

(B) Establish a lasting peace based on principles of justice and self-determination

(C) Expand American influence in Europe

(D) Promote American economic interests abroad

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Wilson's Fourteen Points were a plan for peace after World War I, advocating for principles such as self-determination, freedom of the seas, and the League of Nations.

The Red Scare and the 1920s

The period following World War I saw significant social and cultural changes in the United States, including the Red Scare, a period of intense anti-communist hysteria, and the rise of a new consumer culture.

Key Themes of the 1920s

• The Red Scare: A period of intense anti-communist fear that led to the suppression of radical groups and the restriction of civil liberties.
• Nativism: A resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment, leading to restrictive immigration laws like the National Origins Act of 1924.
• Prohibition: The 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, led to the rise of organized crime and widespread lawbreaking.
• The Harlem Renaissance: A flourishing of African American arts and culture in Harlem, New York City.
• The Scopes Trial: A famous trial that highlighted the conflict between traditional religious values and modern scientific theories.
• Consumer Culture: The rise of mass production and advertising led to a new consumer culture, with Americans purchasing goods and services at unprecedented rates.

Key Figures and Events

• Sacco and Vanzetti: Two Italian immigrants who were convicted and executed for robbery and murder, despite questionable evidence, highlighting the anti-immigrant sentiment of the time.
• Marcus Garvey: A black nationalist leader who advocated for racial pride and the creation of an independent black nation in Africa.
• The Scopes Trial: A trial in Tennessee that pitted religious fundamentalists against modernists over the teaching of evolution in schools.

Sample MCQ Questions and Explanations

Question 1:

The Red Scare of the 1920s was primarily a response to:

(A) The rise of fascism in Europe

(B) The Russian Revolution and fears of communist subversion

(C) The economic crisis of the Great Depression

(D) The growing power of labor unions

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Red Scare was a reaction to the Russian Revolution and fears of communist subversion in the United States.

Question 2:

The Harlem Renaissance is best known for:

(A) Promoting racial segregation

(B) Advocating for women's suffrage

(C) Fostering a vibrant African American culture and intellectual movement

(D) Supporting the Ku Klux Klan

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The Harlem Renaissance was a period of flourishing African American arts, literature, and music in Harlem, New York City.

Tips for Answering APUSH Unit 7 MCQs

• Understand the Key Themes: Focus on the major themes of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, such as industrialization, urbanization, political reform, and imperialism.
• Know the Key Figures: Familiarize yourself with the major figures of the era, such as Andrew Carnegie, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson.
• Study Key Legislation: Understand the major laws and amendments passed during the Progressive Era, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the 19th Amendment.
• Practice with Sample Questions: Work through practice multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need to improve.
• Read Passages Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the questions and answer choices.
• Eliminate Incorrect Answers: Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices and increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
• Manage Your Time: Pace yourself during the exam to ensure that you have enough time to answer all of the questions.

By understanding the key concepts, events, and figures of APUSH Unit 7, and by practicing with sample multiple-choice questions, you can improve your performance on the APUSH exam and achieve a high score. Good luck!