Progressive Era Reforms: A Comprehensive Guide for American Literature Students

Question 1

Which antitrust act, passed in 1890, was designed to prevent monopolies and promote fair competition?

Accepted Answer

Sherman Antitrust Act

Answer

Clayton Antitrust Act

Answer

Federal Trade Commission Act

Answer

Robinson-Patman Act

Question 2

The initiative process allows citizens to:

Accepted Answer

Propose new laws or constitutional amendments.

Answer

Veto laws passed by the legislature.

Answer

Recall elected officials.

Answer

Ratify treaties.

Question 3

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted:

Accepted Answer

Women's suffrage

Answer

African American suffrage

Answer

Lower voting age

Answer

Universal healthcare

Question 4

The conservation movement during the Progressive Era emphasized:

Accepted Answer

Preserving natural resources and protecting wildlife.

Answer

Promoting industrial development and economic growth.

Answer

Expanding the rights of corporations.

Answer

Limiting government intervention in the economy.

Question 5

Which Progressive Era leader is associated with the "New Freedom" agenda?

Accepted Answer

Woodrow Wilson

Answer

Theodore Roosevelt

Answer

William Howard Taft

Answer

Robert M. La Follette

Question 6

The Federal Reserve System was established to:

Accepted Answer

Control the nation's money supply and interest rates.

Answer

Provide loans to businesses.

Answer

Insure bank deposits.

Answer

Invest in infrastructure projects.

Question 7

The Progressive Era was characterized by a belief in:

Accepted Answer

Government intervention to address social problems.

Answer

Laissez-faire economic policies.

Answer

Conservative social values.

Answer

Skepticism towards science.

Question 8

Which was a primary goal of the Progressive Reform Movement?

Accepted Answer

Promote economic equality

Answer

Strengthen large corporations

Answer

Reduce government influence

Answer

Maintain traditional social values

Question 9

What was a key goal of the Progressive reformers?

Accepted Answer

Reduce the power of large corporations

Answer

Increase the wealth gap

Answer

Limit government regulation of business

Answer

Abolish the income tax

Question 10

What was a central goal of the Progressive Era?

Accepted Answer

Promoting fairness and reducing economic gaps

Answer

Strengthening large corporations

Answer

Expanding the influence of political parties

Question 11

Which criticism accurately highlights a limitation of Progressive Era reforms?

Accepted Answer

They failed to tackle the root causes of social and economic issues.

Accepted Answer

They failed to fully address racial and gender inequality.

Answer

They prioritized individual rights over collective action.

Answer

They led to excessive government control and bureaucracy.

Question 12

The Sherman Antitrust Act primarily aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent companies from engaging in unfair or anti-competitive practices

Answer

Protect consumers from unsafe food and drugs

Answer

Give women the right to vote

Answer

Set minimum wages and maximum working hours

Question 13

Which constitutional amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Nineteenth Amendment

Answer

First Amendment

Answer

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer

Fifteenth Amendment

Question 14

The primary purpose of the Federal Reserve System, established in 1913, was to:

Accepted Answer

Regulate the nation's financial system and monetary policy

Answer

Provide financial assistance to businesses and individuals

Answer

Protect consumers from unsafe products

Answer

Break up monopolies and promote competition

Question 15

Which of the following best characterizes the Progressive Era's intellectual and philosophical approach?

Accepted Answer

Belief in expert knowledge, scientific principles, and the power of government to address social problems

Answer

Rejection of modern science and embrace of traditional values

Answer

Advocacy for unregulated markets and minimal government intervention

Answer

Emphasis on individual self-reliance and limited social welfare programs

Question 16

A journalist who exposes corruption and social problems through investigative reporting is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Muckraker

Answer

Politician

Answer

Social worker

Answer

Business leader

Question 17

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 primarily aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance consumer protection by regulating the safety and quality of food and drugs

Answer

Grant women the right to vote

Answer

Break up large corporations and monopolies

Answer

Establish a national minimum wage

Question 18

One of the lasting legacies of the Progressive movement is:

Accepted Answer

Increased public trust in the government's role in improving society

Answer

A return to unregulated markets and laissez-faire capitalism

Answer

The decline of labor unions and worker protections

Answer

The elimination of poverty and social inequality

Question 19

How have Progressive Era reforms left a lasting impact on present-day social movements?

Accepted Answer

Progressive Era reforms continue to inspire challenges to power structures and the pursuit of social justice.

Answer

Contemporary social movements simply mimic Progressive Era reform strategies.

Answer

Modern-day social movements have adopted the same policies as the Progressive Era.

Answer

Progressive Era reforms have little historical significance for contemporary social movements.

Question 20

Which goal was NOT a focus of the Progressive Era reforms?

Accepted Answer

Expanding the power of political machines

Answer

Improving working conditions

Answer

Protecting consumers from monopolies

Answer

Granting women the right to vote

Question 21

The Sherman Antitrust Act aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Break up large corporations and prevent monopolization

Answer

Regulate the prices of goods and services

Answer

Provide financial assistance to small businesses

Question 22

Which law established an 8-hour workday for workers under 16?

Accepted Answer

Keating-Owen Act

Answer

Pure Food and Drug Act

Answer

Interstate Commerce Act

Answer

Clayton Antitrust Act

Question 23

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted:

Accepted Answer

Women the right to vote

Answer

Native Americans the right to citizenship

Answer

Workers the right to organize unions

Answer

African Americans the right to vote

Question 24

Muckraking journalists made a significant contribution to Progressive Era reforms by:

Accepted Answer

Exposing corruption and abuses in government, business, and society

Answer

Promoting the interests of political parties

Answer

Supporting the establishment of organized crime

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT considered a major characteristic of Progressive Era literature?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on traditional values and patriotism

Answer

Focus on social and economic issues

Answer

Use of naturalism and realism

Answer

Exploration of urban life and its impact on individuals

Question 26

Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle" exposed the:

Accepted Answer

Unsanitary and exploitative conditions in the meatpacking industry

Answer

Plight of women workers in factories

Answer

Corrupt practices of political machines

Question 27

The Progressive Era witnessed a significant expansion in:

Accepted Answer

Government regulation of the economy

Answer

Military spending

Answer

International trade

Answer

Federal taxation

Question 28

Which of the following was a central aim of the Progressive Movement?

Accepted Answer

Reduce the power of big business

Answer

Promote white supremacy

Answer

Preserve traditional values

Answer

Establish a socialist society

Question 29

The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 primarily targeted:

Accepted Answer

Monopolies and cartels

Answer

Unsafe working conditions

Answer

Political corruption

Answer

Child labor

Question 30

The Progressive Movement's advocacy for women's suffrage was primarily driven by:

Accepted Answer

Belief in equal rights and opportunities

Answer

Political expediency

Answer

Economic necessity

Answer

Social conservatism

Question 31

Which Progressive Era president is credited with coining the term 'Square Deal'?

Accepted Answer

Theodore Roosevelt

Answer

William Howard Taft

Answer

Woodrow Wilson

Answer

Robert M. La Follette

Question 32

Which Progressive Era novel by Upton Sinclair exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry?

Accepted Answer

The Jungle

Answer

The Grapes of Wrath

Answer

Sister Carrie

Answer

The Call of the Wild

Question 33

How did the Progressive Era influence the role of government in American society?

Accepted Answer

Increased government intervention and regulation

Answer

Reduced government oversight

Answer

Shift towards laissez-faire policies

Question 34

Which Progressive Era amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

19th Amendment

Answer

17th Amendment

Answer

15th Amendment

Answer

18th Amendment

Question 35

Which of the following was a primary objective of the Progressive Era reforms?

Accepted Answer

To address societal and economic inequities caused by industrialization

Answer

To protect the interests of large corporations

Answer

To expand the powers of the federal government

Question 36

What was the significant impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?

Accepted Answer

It led to the implementation of stricter workplace safety regulations

Answer

It sparked a series of labor strikes

Answer

It had no significant impact on labor reforms

Answer

It established the National Labor Relations Board

Question 37

Which constitutional amendment granted women the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

19th Amendment

Answer

15th Amendment

Answer

18th Amendment

Answer

21st Amendment

Question 38

What was the primary function of the Federal Reserve System?

Accepted Answer

To regulate the nation's banking and monetary system

Answer

To provide social welfare programs

Answer

To insure farmers

Question 39

What was a significant criticism of the Progressive Era reforms?

Accepted Answer

They did not adequately address social and economic inequalities

Answer

They were overly radical and eroded traditional values

Answer

They exclusively benefited the affluent and influential

Question 40

Which of the following was NOT a defining characteristic of the Progressive Era?

Accepted Answer

Unwavering belief in rugged individualism

Answer

Emphasis on government oversight

Answer

Demand for greater democratic participation

Answer

Pursuit of social justice

Question 41

How did the Progressive Era reforms influence American literature?

Accepted Answer

They inspired authors to explore themes of social injustice and class struggle

Answer

They encouraged a return to traditional literary forms

Answer

They led to a decline in literary production

Question 42

Which novel by Upton Sinclair is regarded as a pivotal work in the Progressive Era?

Accepted Answer

The Jungle

Answer

Main Street

Answer

Sister Carrie

Answer

The Call of the Wild

Question 43

Which Progressive Era reform was aimed at preventing monopolies and breaking up large corporations?

Accepted Answer

Antitrust laws

Answer

Women's suffrage

Answer

Immigration regulations

Answer

Labor union regulations

Question 44

Which tragic event in 1911 led to improved safety regulations for factories?

Accepted Answer

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

Answer

Stock market crash

Answer

Coal mine explosion

Answer

New York City subway accident

Question 45

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

19th Amendment

Answer

15th Amendment

Answer

18th Amendment

Question 46

According to Progressive Era reformers, what was the primary role of government?

Accepted Answer

To protect citizens' rights and well-being

Answer

To maintain a laissez-faire approach

Answer

To limit individual freedom

Answer

To promote economic growth

Question 47

The main objective of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was to:

Accepted Answer

Protect consumers from unsafe food and drugs

Answer

Regulate food prices

Answer

Promote healthy eating habits

Answer

Ban the use of preservatives

Question 48

What prompted the passing of the Meat Inspection Act of 1906?

Accepted Answer

Concerns about unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants

Answer

Bovine tuberculosis outbreak

Answer

Meat shortages

Question 49

The Keating-Owen Act of 1916 primarily prohibited:

Accepted Answer

The interstate shipment of goods produced by child labor

Answer

Factories from hiring immigrant workers

Answer

The employment of children under the age of 16

Question 50

Identify the primary factors that influenced the rise of Progressive Era reforms:

Accepted Answer

Urbanization, Industrialization, and Immigration

Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Rise of political machines

Answer

Spanish-American War