US History 7.1-7.4 Test Review

Open Range

vast areas of grassland owned by the federal government

Laissez-faire

federal and state governments avoid interfering with the economy

Americanization

the process of acquiring or causing a person to acquire American traits and characteristics

Assimilate

to absorb a group into the culture of another population.

Hydraulic Mining

method of mining by which water is sprayed at a very high pressure against a hill or mountain, washing away large quantities of dirt, gravel, and rock and exposing the minerals beneath the surface

Homestead

a piece of U.S. public land acquired by living on it and cultivating it

Dry Farming

a way of farming dry land in which seeds are planted deep in the ground where there is some moisture

Sodbuster

a name given to Great Plains farmers

Bonanza Farm

a large, highly profitable wheat farm

Annuity

money paid by contract at regular intervals

Allotment

a plot of land assigned to an individual or a family for a specified use

Boomtown

Towns with drastic population increases due to economic growth

Barrios

Spanish-speaking neighborhoods where many Hispanics were segregated.

Long Drive

Major cattle trails that led to railroads that could then send the cattle out North

Speculator

Someone who comes for land to make a big profit and buy a lot of land for cheap

Nomads

Native Americans referred as this due to their lifestyle such as following buffalo herds

Haciendas

Large estates in western states formerly part of Mexico. These estates often relied on Native American labor

Barbed Wire

Allowed to cheaply and easily fence off their farms and block cattle trails

Vigilance Committees

Groups of settlers who carried out law enforcement duties that were lacked in the frontier and these often targeted Native Americans

Stephen Long

General who explored the Great Plains in 1819 on an army expedition. Called it the "Great American Desert" and thought it was unfit for agriculture and thought the lack of water and wood would make it impossible for people to settle there

Crazy Horse

Lakota leader who tricked Captain William Fetterman into sending soldiers after what was thought to be a small raiding party

General George A. Custer

General George A. Custer led the 7th Calvary to bring the Natives back to the reservation. Custer and his men underestimated the power of the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes. Defying government orders, Custer launched an attack that led to a rapid defeat resulting in the death of 210 soldiers and Custer himself.

Red Cloud

Lakota leader during Red Cloud War.

Battle of Little Bighorn

After defeat of Custer, Sitting Bull fled to Canada with his followers.

Ghost Dance

A ritual performed by the Lakota celebrating a day when settlers would disappear and buffalo would return. Government had banned the Ghost Dance and blamed Sitting Bull's return for the rules defiance.

Wounded Knee Massacre

The final battle of Native American resistance against the US government, occurring on December 29, 1890. Chief Sitting Bull was blamed by federal authorities for inciting defiance; he was killed during an attempt to arrest him. Over 200 Lakota died.

Henry Comstock

Prospector who staked a claim near Virginia City.

Comstock Lode

Discovery of pure silver ore that was worth millions, leading to a boomtown.

Homestead Act

Small registration fee allowed an individual to apply for a homestead of up to 160 acres.

Cattle Ranching

The cowboy era was replaced by ranching with the invention of barbed wire.

Buffalo

Hunting buffalo on horseback allowed the natives to feed and clothe their families.

Settlement of Great Plains

People moved west to get rich, leading to boomtowns due to natural resource mining.

Land-Grant College Act

Legislation that gave a state 30,000 acres of land for each congressional seat.

American Frontier

The Great Plains where the frontier closed after the Oklahoma Land Rush.

Plains Indians War

Series of rebellions as Americans clashed with Natives of the Great Plains.

Dakota Sioux Uprising

Native tribe agreed to live on a reservation in exchange for annuities, which were not paid.

Chief Little Crow

Led the Dakota Sioux Uprising that resulted in the death of many U.S. soldiers and settlers.

Conflicts of the Plains Indian Wars

Battle of Red Cloud, Sand Creek Massacre, Fetterman's Massacre, Dakota Sioux Uprising, Tragedy at Wounded Knee

Sand Creek Massacre

In Summer 1864, dozens of homes were burned down and over 200 settlers were killed; Natives were ordered to surrender peacefully at Fort Lyon.

Chief Black Kettle

Brought the Cheyenne to Fort Lyon to negotiate terms, but the negotiation never happened.

Little Big Horn

In 1876, Custer underestimated the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes, leading to the death of 210 soldiers and Custer himself.

Dawes Act

Passed in 1887, it encouraged Native Americans to become landowners by dividing reservation land into allotments. Heads of households received 160 acres, adults got 80 acres, and kids got 40 acres.

Mining Effects

Led to boomtowns and economic growth, but also to environmental devastation and ghost towns once mines were exhausted.

Hydraulic Mining Effects

Caused local environments to be devastated, leading to flooding that destroyed farmland.

Indian Reorganization Act

Reversed the Dawes Act's policy of assimilation and restored some reservation lands back to Natives.

Hispanics in California

Pushed out of local politics and high-wage jobs as Easterners moved to California after the Gold Rush.

Bighorn Mountains

Area where many Lakota felt they could hunt for buffalo after leaving the reservation.

Custer's portrayal

US newspapers portrayed Custer as a victim, influencing public perception of Natives as savages.

Lakota Sioux Reservation

Site of the Wounded Knee Massacre, marking the end of Native American resistance.

Settlement of the Southwest

Easterners moving to California post-Gold Rush led to the loss of land and political power for many Hispanics.

Customs in New Mexico

New Mexico was better able to maintain customs and public affairs compared to California and Texas.