American History Homework Seven Answers - Student 21

Christina F.

1\. What was the "Gilded Age"?

The Gilded Age refers to the period of time towards the end of the 1800s, because on the outside, everything appears to be good, but underneath, things are cheap and fake. Mark twain first invented the term 'Gilded Age.'

Excellent!

2\. What do you like about Thomas Edison, and do you think homeschooling him created enormous wealth?

I greatly admire Edison's curiosity, which bred many of the inventions we take for granted today. The commitment of his mother to teaching him at home after his teacher deemed him hopeless and stupid obviously led to his intelligence.

Good, but I think "intelligence" is the wrong word there. Also, note that Edison did not think he was any smarter than anyone else. Rather, he worked harder.

3\. How do you think the frontier might have affected the views of Americans?

Having something unknown and open to all must have been very encouraging to Americans.

Encouraging, yes, but how did it affect the views? Always be sure to answer the question asked. (Minus 1).

4\. What do you think is special about the United States that has made it the world leader in inventions?

Everything about American was new, down to the very way they worked their government, and their religious freedoms. Americans were encouraged to create new things since they were already surrounded by them.

Interesting. Superb.

5\. How influential do you think political cartoons really are? Give an example or two.

Political opinions shape the views of the public. If one reads a cartoon that displays a certain opinion well, they come to accept that opinion. For instance, if one were to draw up a cartoon that showed Senator Obama sitting in the White House, many Republicans might be discouraged, and not vote at all, because it seems as if Obama has already one the election.

Terrific answer with a powerful example. Note: "won", not "one". Will use as a model answer!

6\. Other than Thomas Edison, who do you think was the most influential person between 1877 and 1896?

John D. Rockefeller was the most influential person between 1877 and 1896. He created one of the largest monopolies before the Sherman Antitrust Act prohibited him to continue in the oil business. America's 'gross domestic product' increasedm a product of the economic boom that followed Rockefeller's success.

Superb, but the last part is garbled and unclear.

7\. Please interpret the above cartoon, with special emphasis on explaining the images used and including a description of the point of view of the cartoonist.

The artist of the cartoon seems to support bimetallism. During the Grant Administration, debts were payable in gold, and paper money could be traded in for a certain amount of gold. There was no inflation because the government could not keep printing money--there was only so much gold. Later in the eighteenth century, after 1878, many wanted to go back to Alexander Hamilton's 'bimentallism,' under which debts could be paid with TWO metals (gold and silver), instead of just gold.

Excellent analysis.

Good work. Score: 69/70.--Aschlafly 19:30, 1 November 2008 (EDT)