WHAP

Homestead Act

1862 law that gave 160 acres of free land to settlers who lived on and farmed it for five years.

Wounded Knee Massacre

1890 killing of about 300 Lakota Sioux by U.S. troops, marking the end of Native American armed resistance.

Dawes Severalty Act (1887)

Law that divided Native American reservations into individual land plots to promote assimilation and open land to white settlers.

Turner’s Frontier Thesis

Frederick Jackson Turner’s idea that the frontier shaped American democracy, culture, and independence.

Andrew Carnegie

Steel industry leader who built Carnegie Steel and promoted philanthropy through the Gospel of Wealth.

John D. Rockefeller

Founder of Standard Oil who created a monopoly in the oil industry through trusts.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Robber Barons

Wealthy industrialists accused of using unethical practices to gain power and fortunes.

Social Darwinism

Belief that success comes from “survival of the fittest,” used to justify economic inequality.

Gospel of Wealth

Idea that the wealthy should use their money to benefit society.

Horatio Alger Myth

Belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 law that banned Chinese immigration and denied citizenship to Chinese immigrants.

Political Bosses & Machines

Political organizations that controlled cities through votes, favors, and patronage.

Patronage

Practice of giving government jobs to political supporters.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

Nationwide strike over wage cuts that led to violence and federal intervention.

Knights of Labor

Labor union open to most workers that supported broad social and economic reforms.

Haymarket Bombing (1886)

Bombing during a Chicago labor protest that damaged the labor movement’s image.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Labor union focused on skilled workers and improving wages and hours.

Homestead Strike (1892)

Violent strike at a Carnegie steel plant over wages and union recognition.

Pullman Strike (1894)

Railroad strike crushed by federal troops after disrupting rail service.

National Grange Movement

Farmers’ organization that worked to lower railroad rates and promote cooperation.

Wabash Case

Supreme Court decision that limited states’ ability to regulate interstate railroads.

Farmers Alliance

Group of farmers pushing for economic reforms and government regulation.

Pendleton Act (1881)

Law that created civil service exams to reduce political patronage.

Interstate Commerce Act (1886)

First federal law regulating railroads to ensure fair rates.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

Law intended to break up monopolies and limit business practices that restrained trade.

McKinley Tariff (1890)

High protective tariff that raised consumer prices.

Panic of 1893

Major economic depression caused by bank and railroad failures.

Coxey’s Army

March of unemployed workers demanding government-funded jobs.

The Populist Party

Political party of farmers and workers seeking economic and political reform.

Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan’s speech supporting free silver and opposing the gold standard.