A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What significant action did Hayes take during the Gilded Age?

1. He expanded railroad networks across the Midwest

2. He reformed the postal service and fought against a major railroad strike

3. He initiated policies for immigrant assimilation

4. He launched a campaign against monopolies

The correct answer is: He reformed the postal service and fought against a major railroad strike

During the Gilded Age, Rutherford B. Hayes took significant steps to reform the postal service, which included modernizing and improving its efficiency and operations. Hayes also confronted major labor unrest, most notably during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. This strike was a response to wage cuts and harsh working conditions, which resulted in widespread violence and disruption across several states. Hayes’s response included sending federal troops to restore order, highlighting the tensions between labor and government authority during this period. This action underscored Hayes's belief in maintaining law and order but also illustrated the challenges faced by workers during the rapid industrialization of the time. His dual focus on postal reform and managing civil unrest through federal intervention aligns with the priorities of his presidency in the context of the Gilded Age, making this choice the correct answer in the context of the question.