(1158) American Pageant Chapter 26 APUSH Review

Homestead Act

A law passed in 1862 that offered up to 160 acres of public land to any person who lived on and improved the land for five years.

Boom-and-bust cycle

An economic cycle where periods of high profits are followed by periods of economic collapse, commonly seen in the mining and cattle industries.

Pacific Railroad Act

A law passed in 1862 that authorized the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and provided federal money and land subsidies to railroad companies.

Custer's Last Stand

The Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 where Sioux forces defeated General Custer and his troops.

Ghost Dance Movement

A spiritual movement among Sioux Indians aiming to revive Native American culture and bring about a return to greatness, often leading to conflicts with settlers.

Dawes Severalty Act

An 1887 law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing reservations into individual plots of land for private farming.

Grange Movement

A national movement that organized social and educational activities for farmers, later demanding reforms and regulation of railroads.

Populist Party

A significant third political party formed in the 1890s advocating for government ownership of railroads, free silver coinage, and political reforms.

Munn v. Illinois

A Supreme Court case that upheld the right of states to regulate railroads and grain elevators.

Interstate Commerce Act

A law passed in 1887 that aimed to regulate railroad rates and practices for interstate commerce.