guilded age & progressive era

Homestead Act

A government act that encouraged western expansion by offering land opportunities to businesses at low prices.

Dawes Act

Legislation that allowed Native American families to own land, leading to cultural division and efforts to Americanize them.

John Deere

Inventor of the steel plow and mechanical reaper, contributing to mechanization during the Gilded Age.

Transcontinental Railroad

A railroad that facilitated the growth of the cattle industry.

Wounded Knee Massacre

An event where the Sioux tribe attempted to drive out white men through a religious movement and ended in violence.

Bison

An animal that the government encouraged to be killed to limit the Native American population.

Vanderbilt

A key figure in the railroad industry and created steamboats and steam-trains.

Rockefeller

Founder of the Standard Oil Company, known for creating a monopoly in the oil industry.

Carnegie

Industrialist known for the Bessemer Steel Process, contributing to the growth of railroads, factories, and skyscrapers.

Electric System: Direct Current (DC)

The electrical system developed by Thomas Edison.

Electric System: Alternating Current (AC)

The electrical system developed by Nicola Tesla.

Gospel of Wealth

Carnegie’s program of philanthropy supporting education, research, libraries, and universities.

Rockefeller Foundation

Rockefeller's philanthropic organization supporting health research and education.

Robber Barons

Industrialists who amassed wealth through exploitation and unfair practices.

Captains of the Industry

Business leaders who contributed to building modern America and creating jobs.

JP Morgan

Banker who created GE Electric with Edison and assisted in bailing out the US government.

Haymarket Riot

Labor strike for an 8-hour workday that resulted in casualties and a negative perception of labor unions.

Homestead Strike

A violent strike by Carnegie's workers to prevent the replacement of employees.

Pullman Strike

A strike by railroad workers that led to government intervention and increased regulation of labor activities.

Nativism

The belief that native citizens should be prioritized over new immigrants.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Legislation that restricted Chinese immigration, repealed during WWII.

Political Machines

Organizations that persuaded groups to vote for candidates in exchange for jobs or money.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Legislation that replaced the spoils system with a merit-based system to combat corruption.

18th Amendment

Prohibition amendment making it illegal to transport, buy, or produce alcohol.

19th Amendment

Amendment granting women the right to vote.

16th Amendment

Amendment allowing the federal government to impose an income tax.

17th Amendment

Amendment that enabled voters to directly elect senators.

Interstate Commerce Act

Legislation that established the ICC to regulate railroads and their shipping rates.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Legislation that made monopolies illegal and contributed to the end of the Gilded Age.

Populist Party

Political party advocating for the poor farmer's interests and direct election of senators.

Ida B. Wells

Activist known for her work against lynching.

WEB Du Bois

Founder of the NAACP, one of the most successful civil rights organizations.

Federal Reserve Act

Legislation established to prevent major economic depressions by regulating national reserves.