AP US History : Identity, Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture 1849–1900
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identity, Ideas, Beliefs, And Culture 1849–1900
"The great common people of this country are slaves, and monopoly is the master. The West and South are bound and prostrate before the manufacturing East..The [political] parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us. We were told two years ago to go to work and raise a big crop, that was all we needed...and what came of it? Eight-cent corn, ten-cent oats, two-cent beef and no price at all for butter and eggs...We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the government. We want the foreclosure system wiped out..."
- Mary E. Lease, lawyer, in an 1890 speech
The ideas expressed in the passage reflect which of the following continuities in U.S. history?
Disagreement over federal responsibility for social welfare
Conflict between economic freedom and government
Clashes between regional and federal regulation
Conflict between agrarian and industrial interests
Disagreement about the level of corporate influence on the government
Conflict between agrarian and industrial interests
Because of the differences in the economic and political desires of rural farmers who were often in debt and urban manufacturers who competed with international imports, conflicts between agrarian and industrial interests occurred continuously in American history.
Example Question #2 : Identity, Ideas, Beliefs, And Culture 1849–1900
Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" belief stated that __________.
money was the new religion
with great wealth comes great responsibility
wealth is only acquired through the exploitation of others, and is thus anti-Christian
wealth would come to those that performed good deeds
all people had a responsibility to tithe to their church
with great wealth comes great responsibility
Carnegie believed in Social Darwinism, or the theory that the fittest corporations would survive in a capitalist society. As one of the wealthiest few, he believed that it was his duty to use his wealth for the betterment of those less fortunate. This belief he termed the "Gospel of Wealth." He did not approve of charity, gifts of money or goods bestowed on those in need, but did believe strongly in philanthropy and created many public libraries and other public facilities. Carnegie's philanthropic causes focused mostly on education and the arts.
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