Question 1

What was Manifest Destiny and how did it affect Native Americans?

Accepted Answer

Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent. This ideology was used to justify the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, such as the Trail of Tears (1838–39) where the Cherokee were relocated to Oklahoma. It also led to violent conflicts like the Sioux Wars and the massacre at Wounded Knee (1890). The policy resulted in the loss of Native American lives, culture, and sovereignty.

Question 2

Why did the American Civil War start?

Accepted Answer

The Civil War started primarily because of deep divisions over slavery. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who opposed the expansion of slavery, prompted Southern states to secede. Key events that escalated tensions include the Missouri Compromise (1820), the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) which led to 'Bleeding Kansas', and the Dred Scott decision (1857) which denied citizenship to African Americans. The war began when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in April 1861.

Question 3

What were the main achievements and failures of Reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Reconstruction achieved the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and gave voting rights to African American men. The Freedmen's Bureau helped establish schools and provide aid. However, Reconstruction failed to secure lasting equality due to violent opposition from groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the rise of 'Jim Crow' laws, and the Compromise of 1877 which ended federal intervention in the South. By 1900, African Americans were largely disenfranchised and segregated.

Question 4

How did the transcontinental railroad change America?

Accepted Answer

Completed in 1869, the transcontinental railroad connected the east and west coasts, dramatically reducing travel time from months to about a week. It spurred economic growth by enabling the transport of goods and resources, such as cattle and grain, to markets. It also accelerated westward settlement, leading to the creation of new states and towns. However, it had negative impacts, including the displacement of Native Americans and the exploitation of immigrant labour, especially Chinese workers who faced discrimination.

Question 5

What was the Populist movement and why did it emerge?

Accepted Answer

The Populist movement emerged in the 1890s as a political coalition of farmers and workers who felt exploited by big business, banks, and railroads. They demanded reforms such as the free coinage of silver to increase money supply, government ownership of railroads, a graduated income tax, and direct election of senators. The movement gained significant support but declined after the 1896 election when the Democratic Party adopted many of its ideas. It highlighted the tensions between rural and industrial America.

Question 6

How did the US become an industrial power after the Civil War?

Accepted Answer

After the Civil War, the US experienced rapid industrialisation due to abundant natural resources (coal, iron, oil), a large labour force (including immigrants), and technological innovations (e.g., the Bessemer process for steel). Key figures like Andrew Carnegie (steel) and John D. Rockefeller (oil) built massive corporations and trusts. The expansion of railroads created a national market. However, this growth also led to labour unrest, such as the Haymarket Affair (1886) and the Pullman Strike (1894), as workers fought for better conditions.

America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation

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