The Transformation of the West

This set of flashcards covers the major themes and events related to the economic and social transformation of the American West, with emphasis on labor movements, Native American policies, agricultural changes, and racial politics.

What major political event is associated with the Haymarket affair of 1886?

An outburst of independent labor political activity, threatening the interests of major parties.

Who was Lucy Parsons and what is her significance?

Wife of Albert Parsons, a celebrated radical orator who likely spoke to more Americans than any other black speaker in the 19th century, except Frederick Douglass.

What was the Knights of Labor, and what challenges did they face in the late 1800s?

A labor organization that marked the high point of labor activity before declining due to employer hostility and media backlash linking them to violence.

How did the federal government's policies affect the settlement and development of the West post-Civil War?

The government acquired Native lands through war and treaties and promoted migration to the West using the Morrill Land Grant Act.

What was the impact of the Dawes Act of 1887 on Native American tribes?

It aimed to break up tribal lands into small parcels for individual families, leading to significant loss of tribal land and cultural erosion.

What was the Ghost Dance movement, and how did it end?

A spiritual revival seeking to restore Native American ways and bring back the buffalo; it culminated in a tragic massacre at Wounded Knee.

What economic changes occurred in agricultural practices in the late 19th century?

An increase in farming on the Great Plains with a reliance on national and international markets, often favoring large agricultural corporations.

What issues did the Farmers' Alliance seek to address?

Problems such as high freight rates, debt, and seeking government loans against crops to alleviate farmers' economic struggles.

What was the main outcome of the presidential election of 1896?

William McKinley's victory solidified Republican control, marking the decline of the Populist movement.

How did racial politics shift in the South after the end of Reconstruction?

The Redeemers imposed a new racial order, leading to widespread disenfranchisement and segregation laws.