APUSH AMSCO Unit 6

Transcontinental Railroads

Railroad lines that connected the East and West coasts of the United States, facilitating trade, transportation, and the westward expansion of the country.

Great American Desert

A term used to describe the arid and semiarid regions of the western United States, which posed challenges for settlers and required innovative farming techniques.

Barbed Wire

A type of fencing material made of twisted strands of wire with sharp barbs, used to enclose land, protect crops, and control livestock, revolutionizing the ranching industry.

Homestead Act

A law passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers who improved the land, built a dwelling, and lived on it for five years, encouraging westward migration and agricultural development.

National Grange Movement

An organization founded in 1867 to promote the interests of farmers through social and educational activities, advocating for fair treatment, cooperative practices, and government regulation of monopolistic practices.

Granger Laws

State laws enacted in the late 19th century to regulate railroad and grain elevator rates, prevent discrimination against small farmers, and promote fair competition in the agricultural industry.

Munn v. Illinois

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1877 that upheld the power of states to regulate businesses that affected the public interest, specifically allowing states to regulate railroad rates to protect consumers.

Frederick Jackson Turner

An influential American historian who wrote the essay 'The Significance of the Frontier in American History' in 1893, emphasizing the role of the frontier in shaping American identity, democracy, and individualism.

Little Big Horn

The site of a major battle in 1876 between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes, also known as Custer's Last Stand, which resulted in a significant victory for the Native Americans.

Ghost Dance Movement

A religious and cultural movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century that called for a return to traditional ways of life, the restoration of Native lands, and the preservation of Native American culture.

Helen Hunt Jackson

An American writer and activist who wrote the book 'A Century of Dishonor' in 1881, exposing the mistreatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government and advocating for Native American rights and justice.

Dawes Act of 1887

A law that authorized the federal government to divide Native American tribal lands into individual allotments, with the aim of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society and promoting private land ownership.

Indian Reorganization Act

A law passed in 1934 that reversed the assimilationist policies of the Dawes Act, promoting Native American self-government, cultural preservation, and the restoration of tribal lands.

Santa Fe Trail

A major trade route between Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the 19th century, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange between the United States and Mexico.

Forest Reserve Act of 1891

A law that authorized the president to set aside public lands as national forests, ensuring the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

Forest Management Act of 1897

A law that established the U.S. Forest Service and gave it the authority to manage and protect national forests, promoting responsible forestry practices and conservation efforts.

John Muir

An influential American naturalist and conservationist who played a key role in the establishment of national parks, advocating for the preservation of wilderness and the appreciation of nature.

Sierra Club

An environmental organization founded by John Muir in 1892 to promote the conservation of natural resources, protect wild places, and advocate for sustainable environmental policies.

New South

A term used to describe the economic and social changes in the southern United States after the Civil War, including industrialization, diversification of the economy, and efforts to improve race relations.

George Washington Carver

An African American scientist and educator who promoted agricultural research and innovation in the southern United States, particularly in the field of crop rotation and the use of peanuts and sweet potatoes.

Tuskegee Institute

An historically black college in Alabama founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, providing vocational education and training for African Americans to improve their economic opportunities.

White Supremacists

Individuals or groups who believe in the superiority of the white race and advocate for policies and actions that discriminate against non-white individuals, perpetuating racial inequality and oppression.

Civil Rights Cases of 1883

A series of Supreme Court cases that declared the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional, undermining the rights of African Americans and allowing for racial discrimination in public accommodations.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1896 that established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing racial segregation and perpetuating racial inequality for decades.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the southern United States, denying African Americans their civil rights and perpetuating racial discrimination and inequality.

Literacy Tests

Tests administered to individuals to determine their ability to read and write, often used as a requirement for voting and used to disenfranchise African Americans and other minority groups.

Poll Taxes

Taxes imposed on individuals as a requirement for voting, often used to disenfranchise African Americans and other minority groups by making it difficult for them to afford the tax.

Grandfather Clauses

Provisions in voting laws that exempted individuals from certain requirements if their ancestors had been eligible to vote before the Civil War, effectively allowing white voters to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes and perpetuating racial discrimination.

Ida B. Wells

An African American journalist and activist who campaigned against lynching and racial violence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advocating for civil rights and justice for African Americans.

International Migration Society

An organization founded in 1907 to assist immigrants in the United States, providing support, resources, and advocacy for immigrants in their transition to a new country.

Booker T. Washington

An African American educator and leader who advocated for vocational education and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans, emphasizing self-help, cooperation, and gradual racial progress.

W. E. B. Du Bois

An African American intellectual and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for full political and civil rights for African Americans, challenging racial discrimination and promoting racial equality.

Atlanta Compromise

A speech given by Booker T. Washington in 1895 that called for African Americans to focus on economic advancement through education and vocational training, accepting temporary social and political inequality in exchange for economic opportunities.

Transatlantic Cable

A cable laid across the Atlantic Ocean in the 19th century to enable telegraph communication between North America and Europe, revolutionizing global communication and trade.

Alexander Graham Bell

An inventor and scientist who is credited with inventing the telephone, revolutionizing communication and connecting people across long distances.

Henry Bessemer

An English inventor who developed a process for mass-producing steel, leading to the growth of the steel industry and the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, and other modern structures.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor and businessman who is credited with inventing the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the practical electric light bulb, revolutionizing entertainment, communication, and lighting technology.

George Westinghouse

An American inventor and entrepreneur who played a key role in the development of the alternating current (AC) electrical system, making electricity more practical and accessible for homes and businesses.

American Railroad Association

An organization formed in 1851 to coordinate the schedules and fares of railroad companies, promoting efficiency, standardization, and cooperation in the rapidly expanding railroad industry.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

An American business magnate and philanthropist who built his wealth in the railroad and shipping industries, contributing to the growth of the American economy and the development of transportation networks.

Jay Gould

An American railroad executive and speculator who was involved in several major railroad scandals, amassing great wealth through questionable business practices and manipulation of stock prices.

J. Pierpont Morgan

An American financier and banker who played a major role in the consolidation of the U.S. banking industry, financing major industrial projects and shaping the American economy.

Andrew Carnegie

A Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who built a steel empire in the late 19th century, revolutionizing the steel industry and becoming one of the richest individuals in history.

United States Steel

A major steel company formed in 1901 by the merger of several smaller steel companies, including Andrew Carnegie's, dominating the American steel industry and contributing to the country's industrial growth.

John D. Rockefeller

An American business magnate and philanthropist who built his wealth in the oil industry, establishing the Standard Oil Company and becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in history.

Monopoly

A situation in which a single company or group controls the supply or trade of a particular product or service, often leading to reduced competition and higher prices for consumers.

Standard Oil

A major oil company founded by John D. Rockefeller that dominated the oil industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using aggressive business tactics to achieve near-complete control over the oil market.

Trust

A legal arrangement in which a person or company holds property or assets on behalf of others, often used to consolidate control and create monopolies in industries.

Horizontal Integration

A strategy in which a company acquires or merges with its competitors in the same industry, aiming to increase market share and eliminate competition.

Vertical Integration

A strategy in which a company controls all aspects of production and distribution, from raw materials to finished products, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Holding Company

A company that owns controlling shares of stock in other companies, often used to create a monopoly or control a particular industry by consolidating ownership and control.

Laissez-Faire

An economic philosophy that advocates for minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing free markets to operate without excessive regulation or control.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, often used to justify social inequality, laissez-faire capitalism, and the concentration of wealth.

Survival of the Fittest

A concept from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, suggesting that individuals or groups that are best adapted to their environment will be more successful in surviving and reproducing, often used to explain social and economic disparities.

Protestant Work Ethic

A belief system that values hard work, thrift, and individual responsibility as virtues, influencing American culture and shaping attitudes towards labor and success.

Concentration of Wealth

The accumulation of wealth in the hands of a small number of individuals or families, leading to economic inequality and social disparities.

Collective Bargaining

The process by which workers negotiate with their employers for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, aiming to protect workers' rights and improve their economic well-being.

Railroad Strike of 1877

A nationwide strike by railroad workers in 1877 that was sparked by wage cuts and poor working conditions, leading to widespread labor unrest and government intervention.

National Labor Union

The first national labor federation in the United States, founded in 1866 to advocate for workers' rights, social reform, and the improvement of working conditions.

Knights of Labor

A labor organization founded in 1869 that sought to unite all workers, regardless of skill or occupation, and advocated for social and economic reform, including the eight-hour workday and the abolition of child labor.

Haymarket Bombing

A violent incident that took place during a labor protest in Chicago in 1886, resulting in several deaths and the subsequent persecution of labor activists, leading to a decline in the influence of the Knights of Labor.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions founded in 1886 that focused on collective bargaining and improving working conditions for skilled workers, advocating for higher wages, shorter hours, and safer workplaces.

Samuel Gompers

An American labor leader who served as the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) for many years, advocating for the rights of workers and the improvement of their working conditions.

Homestead Strike

A labor conflict in 1892 at the Homestead Steel Works in Pennsylvania, where workers went on strike to protest wage cuts and poor working conditions, resulting in a violent confrontation between strikers and private security agents.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide strike by railroad workers in 1894 that was sparked by wage cuts and the company town policies of the Pullman Palace Car Company, leading to a major disruption of rail transportation and government intervention.

Eugene V. Debs

An American labor leader and socialist who played a key role in the Pullman Strike and later ran for president as the candidate of the Socialist Party, advocating for workers' rights, social justice, and economic equality.

Old Immigrants

A term used to describe immigrants who arrived in the United States before the 1880s, primarily from Western and Northern Europe, contributing to the country's early population growth and cultural diversity.

New Immigrants

A term used to describe immigrants who arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, contributing to the country's continued population growth and cultural diversity.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A law passed in 1882 that prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States, reflecting anti-Chinese sentiment and contributing to the exclusion and discrimination of Chinese immigrants.

Tenement Apartments

Overcrowded and poorly maintained apartment buildings, often housing multiple families in cramped and unsanitary conditions, characteristic of urban living for many immigrant families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ellis Island

An immigration station in New York Harbor that processed millions of immigrants arriving in the United States, serving as a gateway to the country and symbolizing the immigrant experience.

Political Machines

Organizations that provided social services and political support in exchange for votes and political influence, often associated with corruption and patronage in urban politics.

Tammany Hall

A powerful political machine in New York City that controlled local politics through patronage and corruption, exerting significant influence over city government and elections.

Jane Addams

An American social reformer and leader in the settlement house movement, who co-founded Hull House in Chicago, providing social services and educational opportunities to immigrants and the urban poor.

White-collar workers

Salaried professionals, typically in offices, engaged in non-manual work such as administration, management, or sales.

Gospel of Wealth

Belief that the wealthy should use their riches to promote social progress and improve the well-being of society.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Prominent African American civil rights leader, sociologist, and co-founder of the NAACP, advocating for equality and social justice.

Clarence Darrow

Renowned American lawyer and key figure in the American Civil Liberties Union, known for defending individual rights and civil liberties.

Joseph Pulitzer

Influential newspaper publisher recognized for yellow journalism and establishing the Pulitzer Prize, shaping modern journalism.

William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper publisher known for sensationalist reporting and founding Hearst Communications, influencing media and public opinion.

Salvation Army

Christian charitable organization providing social services and aid to the underprivileged and those in need.

Social Gospel

Christian movement emphasizing social reform, justice, and aiding the less fortunate, shaping progressive social values.

Jane Addams

Notable social reformer, activist, and leader in the settlement house movement, dedicated to improving urban living conditions.

Susan B. Anthony

Prominent suffragist and advocate for women's rights, playing a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement.

NAWSA

National American Woman Suffrage Association, a leading organization advocating for women's right to vote and gender equality.

WCTU

Women's Christian Temperance Union, promoting temperance and women's suffrage, influencing social and political reforms.

Anti-Saloon League

Organization dedicated to advocating for the prohibition of alcohol, influencing the temperance movement and prohibition laws.

Mark Twain

Renowned American author and humorist, known for his satirical and critical writings on society and human nature.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Influential American architect and pioneer of organic architecture, shaping modern architectural principles and design.

Landscape architecture

The design of outdoor spaces, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social, and aesthetic outcomes, influencing urban planning and design.

Federal land grants

Government allocation of land for specific purposes, such as education, infrastructure, or conservation, shaping the development of the United States.

Credit Mobilier

Scandal involving the Union Pacific Railroad and fraudulent construction contracts, revealing corruption in government-contracted projects.

Interstate Commerce Act of 1887

Federal law designed to regulate the railroad industry, prevent unfair business practices, and protect consumers, shaping early economic regulation.

Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890

Legislation aimed at curbing concentrations of power that hinder trade and reduce economic competition, addressing monopolistic practices.

United States v. E. C. Knight Co.

Landmark Supreme Court case limiting the government's authority to control monopolies, influencing antitrust law and government regulation.

Pendleton Act of 1883

Established a merit-based system for federal employment, reducing political patronage and promoting professionalism in government.

Civil Service Commission

Government agency overseeing the merit-based employment system for federal civil servants, ensuring fair and qualified public service.

Panic of 1873

Severe international economic depression, leading to bank failures, unemployment, and financial reforms, impacting global economies.

Bland-Allison Act

Legislation requiring the US Treasury to purchase silver and issue it as silver dollars, impacting monetary policy and currency circulation.

African Americans

Ethnic group descended from enslaved Africans in the United States, facing systemic discrimination and advocating for civil rights.