SAT II US History : Representative Viewpoints in U.S. Economic History from 1899 to the Present

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II US History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

"I stand for the square deal. But when I say that I am for the square deal, I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of the game, but that I stand for having those rules changed so as to work for a more substantial equality of opportunity and of reward for equally good service... When I say I want a square deal for the poor man, I do not mean that I want a square deal for the man who remains poor because he has not got the energy to work for himself."

The above quote most probably represents the political opinions of which President?

Possible Answers:
Lyndon B. Johnson
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
Correct answer: Theodore Roosevelt
Explanation:

The Square Deal was Theodore Roosevelt's domestic policy. It centered on two main principles: The protection of the working and middle classes from corporate excess; The conservation of natural resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Roosevelt abhorred the manner in which the common American man was being used for the gain of a tiny minority of Capitalists. Although, the ideas are similar in nature to much of FDRs New Deal policies - the term "Square Deal" should be a dead giveaway that it is referring to Theodore. Although, had Theodore lived to see his kin institue the New Deal, there is no doubt he would have approved.  

Example Question #1 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

“The business of America is business”

The above quote was most likely spoken by which President?

Possible Answers:

Jimmy Carter

Abraham Lincoln

John F. Kennedy

Calvin Coolidge 

Woodrow Wilson 

Correct answer:

Calvin Coolidge 

Explanation:

Calvin Coolidge believed that America was best served by prioritizing the interests of big business. He ran a Republican government that advocated a hands-off approach towards economic interference. 

Example Question #3 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

“As a matter of personal conviction, and without pretending to discuss the details or formulate the system, I feel that we shall ultimately have to consider the adoption of some such scheme as that of a progressive tax on all fortunes, beyond a certain amount, either given in life or devised or bequeathed upon death to any individual—a tax so framed as to put it out of the power of the owner of one of these enormous fortunes to hand on more than a certain amount to any one individual; the tax of course, to be imposed by the national and not the state government. Such taxation should, of course, be aimed merely at the inheritance or transmission in their entirety of those fortunes swollen beyond all healthy limits.”

The previous quote can most likely be attributed to                   .

Possible Answers:

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt

Henry Clay

Alexander Hamilton

William Jennings Bryan 

Correct answer:

Theodore Roosevelt

Explanation:

The quote is an excerpt from a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. The speech is commonly known as “The Man with the Muck-Rake.” Roosevelt was a Progressive politician who argued for the usage of a graduated income tax and the implementation of an inheritance tax to limit the proportion of money that could be handed down from one generation to another.

Example Question #2 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

"Reaganomics" generally refers to economic policies that favor __________.

Possible Answers:

lower taxes and business investment

the breaking up of monopoly power

stronger regulations on businesses and industry

higher taxes and wealth redistribution

nationalization of large industries

Correct answer:

lower taxes and business investment

Explanation:

Ronald Reagan's 1980 Presidential campaign saw a new fusion of various conservative political identities under the Republican banner. In economics, Reagan used his typically limited government view to advocate for lower taxes and less regulation of businesses. Within his first two years in office, he achieved signing a bill that required massive income and business tax cuts.

Example Question #3 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program centered on consumer protection, conservation, and corporate regulation was known as __________.

Possible Answers:

the New Deal

the Square Deal

the Silent Majority

the Great Society

the Sixteen Points

Correct answer:

the Square Deal

Explanation:

The presidency of Theodore Roosevelt was notable for being much more progressive than that of his predecessor, William McKinley, whose assasination promoted Roosevelt to the Presidency. Roosevelt promised a "Square Deal" for Americans. Notably, this involved "trust busting," or breaking up monopolies, a large effort to conserve natural resources, and various labor laws.

Example Question #4 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

Which of the following statements is most representative of the thinking behind supply-side economics?

Possible Answers:

The wealthy should have a larger tax burden in order to pay down the budget deficit.

Labor unions should have more protections in their fights with large corporations.

Oil and natural gas companies should be more regulated to protect American citizens.

Welfare and unemployment benefits should be increased to stimulate the spending power of the lower classes.

Tax breaks for large corporations will stimulate the economy by giving businesses more freedom to prosper.

Correct answer:

Tax breaks for large corporations will stimulate the economy by giving businesses more freedom to prosper.

Explanation:

"Supply-side economics" gained their name from the fact they intended to benefit the suppliers of commercial goods, the businesses and manufacturers who made most of the products in the economy. Supply-side economics is most associated with President Ronald Reagan, who lobbied for massive tax cuts, deregulation of business, and large scale reduction of government spending. During Reagan's eight years in office, he managed to cut taxes, roll back corporate regulations, and slash welfare spending.

Example Question #5 : Representative Viewpoints In U.S. Economic History From 1899 To The Present

The U.S. Labor Movement supported all of the following EXCEPT __________.

Possible Answers:

restrictions on child labor

an eight hour work day

unionization of the workforce

workplace safety laws

an increase in profits for factory owners

Correct answer:

an increase in profits for factory owners

Explanation:

The "Labor Movement" was a broad grouping of activists that sought to protect the safety and rights of workers in a variety of working class jobs. Throughout the late-nineteenth century, the full flowering of the Industrial Revolution had produced a widespread manufacturing sector centered on factories that employed children as young as 4, and the work hours were usually between 12 and 15 hours a day, six days a week. The labor movement sought to protect workers' rights in a number of ways, including shortening work hours, eliminating child labor, and unionizing the workforce. Most of all, they stood against the businessmen who owned the factories.

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