US History Lecture Notes: Reconstruction and Westward Expansion

Flashcards reviewing key historical topics including Sharecropping, the Presidential Election of 1876, the Homestead Act, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Who participated in sharecropping according to the notes?

Black & poor white farmers working landowners' property.

What is the definition of sharecropping?

A farming system where tenants paid rent with crops.

When and where was sharecropping practiced?

Late 1800s throughout the mid-20th century in the American South.

Why was sharecropping significant in the American South?

It replaced slave labor while locking workers into debt.

Who were the candidates in the Presidential election of 1876?

Rutherford B. Hayes against Samuel J. Tilden.

What occurred during the Presidential election of 1876 and how was it resolved?

It was a disputed election resolved by the Compromise of 1877.

What were the key dates for the Presidential election of 1876?

November 1876, resolved in March 1877.

Why was the outcome of the Presidential election of 1876 significant?

It led to the withdrawal of federal troops, ending Reconstruction.

Who signed the Homestead Act into law?

Pres. Abraham Lincoln.

What was the Homestead Act?

A law granting 160 acres of public land.

When and where was the Homestead Act enacted?

May 1842 in western territories & states.

Why was the Homestead Act enacted?

To encourage westward migration & family farming.

Who issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

Pres. Abraham Lincoln.

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

A presidential decree freeing slaves in rebelling states.

When did the Emancipation Proclamation take effect and where did it apply?

Effective January 1, 1863, in Confederate-held territories.

Why was the Emancipation Proclamation issued?

To weaken the Confederacy & shift war goals.