WIIU (Westernization, Immigration, Industrialization, and Urbanization) Study Guide

Westernization

The process of adopting Western European and American culture, values, and practices.

Sand Creek Massacre

A brutal attack in 1864 where Colorado militia killed over 150 Native Americans, mostly women and children, from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

Sod Homes

Homes built by homesteaders from sod due to a lack of trees on the plains, which were cheap but challenging to maintain.

Homestead Act of 1862

Legislation that provided land to settlers who cultivated it, benefiting farmers but exposing them to tough conditions.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that westward expansion was a divinely ordained right and duty of white Americans to spread civilization.

Life on the Plains

Characterized by harsh conditions with extreme weather, isolation, and conflicts with Native Americans.

Native American View Towards Expansion

Seen as encroachment on their lands, leading to resistance and eventual displacement.

William Jennings Bryan's 'Cross of Gold' Speech

A 1896 speech advocating for bimetallism to assist struggling farmers and workers.

Impact of Reservation Policies

Confined Native Americans to specific areas, disrupting their traditional lifestyles and causing cultural erosion.

Effect of the Indian Wars

Devastation of Native populations, signifying loss of land and sovereignty, with key battles like Little Bighorn.

Assimilation Policies

Policies such as the Dawes Act that forced Native Americans to adopt European-American culture, undermining their identity.

Native American Resistance to Expansion

Included battles and notable leaders like Sitting Bull and Geronimo fighting to protect their lands.

Role of Farmers in the US Economy

Provided essential agricultural products while facing financial struggles due to low prices.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Passed in 1882, it banned Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. due to growing anti-immigrant sentiment.

Angel Island/Ellis Island

Angel Island processed mainly Asian immigrants, while Ellis Island welcomed European immigrants.

Immigration Waves Post-1860

Large influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe seeking jobs and freedom, usually settling in urban areas.

Impact of Big Business on Farmers

Monopolies exploited farmers with high shipping rates, fueling populist movements.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

Enacted in 1890 to limit monopolies and promote fair competition, though initially weakly enforced.

Child Labor

Common in factories and mines, involving long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages.

Bessemer Process

An innovative steel production method that made steel cheaper and stronger, stimulating industrial growth.

Andrew Carnegie and Philanthropy

Built a steel empire and later donated much of his wealth to education and arts, representing the 'Gospel of Wealth.'

Interstate Commerce Act

Passed in 1887 to regulate railroad practices and ensure fair rates.

John D. Rockefeller and Monopolies

Founded Standard Oil, creating a monopoly through aggressive techniques and vertical integration.

Haymarket Riot

A violent labor protest in Chicago in 1886 that resulted in anti-union sentiment.

Technological Advances Brought by Industry

Innovations like the telephone and light bulb that transformed daily life and production methods.

Collective Bargaining and the Rise of Unions

Workers organized to negotiate better conditions, leading to the emergence of unions like the AFL.

Rise of Political Machines

Organizations that gained power by providing services to immigrants in exchange for votes, often leading to corruption.

Rise of Crime in the Cities

Due to overcrowding and poverty, resulted in increased crime rates and the establishment of police forces.

Living Conditions of the Working Class

Often lived in tenements, suffering from overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease.

Working-Class Families in the Cities

Families had all members work to survive, limiting education and maintaining poor living standards.