America s History Review Questions - 973 Words

Arnav Velaparthi Period 4 2/8/15 APUSH Chapter 16 America’s History Review Questions 1. During the Civil War and Reconstruction period, Republicans made vast efforts in improving domestic economic growth. A transcontinental railroad was first enacted to not only increase the speed of travelling from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but to also increase trade with other nations, and bolster the farming and tourism of the West. The railroad would help populate areas in the West, which would help make America the highway of nations. Private companies were called upon by Republicans to help fund the railroad, even though they were still provided with loans, public grants of land, and various subsidies. These railroad companies had a significant†¦show more content†¦While Democrats argued that protective tariffs would be detrimental to consumers, especially from the South, tariff revenues were able to give America an edge over other nations in the market. Even though tariffs would result in more jobs, help eliminate poverty, and protect workers, corporations failed t o pass their benefits to workers, and gained monopolistic power. Furthermore, adhering to the gold standard was another critical economic decision for Republicans. In effort to replace â€Å"bimettalism,† Republicans adopted the gold standard. While it did attract investment capital from European nations, and led to the exchange of U.S. bonds and currency, the gold standard plummeted the nation’s money supply as silver was more abundant. Thus, the national policies implemented by the Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction were able to stimulate economic growth, but also at times hinder growth. 2. The trans-Mississppi west area saw a period of significant economic growth following the Civil War. The transcontinental road played a critical role in trade, tourism, and farming in the West. The Homestead Act, which granted 160 acres of federal land to anyone who could improve the property, was a mere effort to help build the interior West and attract farming. However, farmers soon saw themselves struggling as the land granted was not suitable for farming, and would require larger plots of land for