wafvbedrushkik

bonanza (n.)

rich mass of ore, as found in mining

arable (adj.)

capable of producing crops; suitable for farming; suited to the plow and for tillage

severalty (n.)

regarding an estate, esp. land, the condition of being held or owned by separate and individual right; private land ownership

subjugate (v.)

to bring under complete control or subjection; to conquer; to master

"sooner" (n.)

person who settled on land in the West, especially during the Oklahoma land rush, before its official opening in order to gain the first claim allowed by law

"Ghost Dance" (n.)

religious movement that swept Native Americans of the Great Plains starting in 1890; stemming from the preaching of a Paiute Indian named Wovoka, it promised that whites would disappear from natives' lands

Populism (n.)

the political philosophy of the "People's Party of America," a.k.a., the third party known as the "Populists" during the 1890s; grass-roots democracy; working-class activism; egalitarianism; appealing to or concerned with the aims of ordinary people

dry farming (n.)

type of farming practiced in arid regions w/out sufficient irrigation, such as planting drought-resistant crops, or especially by maintaining a fine surface mulch that protects irrigation or the natural soil moisture from evaporation

extortion (n.)

crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority; charging an oppressive or excessive price or interest; blackmail

husbandry (n.)

cultivation or production of plants or animals

landslide (n.)

an overwhelming majority of votes that sweeps a political party or candidate into office

quorum (n.)

minimum # of members in a group or organization required to be present to transact business legally, usually a majority

bimetallism (n.)

the use of 2 metals, especially gold & silver, as a monetary standard or as "legal tender," usually at a predetermined ratio

"logrolling" (n.)

the trading of favors, usually votes for legislation, by politicians in a "quid pro quo" manner

"slush fund" (n.)

unregulated money used for bribing public officials, carrying on corruptive propaganda, or other illicit purposes

isolationism (n.)

national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with foreign countries

imperialism (n)

the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies

hegemony (n.)

leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others; aggression or expansionism by large nations in an effort to achieve world domination

chauvinism (n.)

zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; biased devotion to any group, culture, attitude, or cause

indemnity (n.)

a sum of money paid as compensation for a loss or other financial burden, especially a sum exacted by a victor in a war as a condition of peace

fiat (n.)

an authoritative decree or order

coup d'état (n.)

sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government; the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group [literally translated, it is French for "stroke of state" or "blow to the state"]

"yellow journalism" (n.)

newspapers that specialized in sensationalistic reporting beginning in the late 19th century, and which are generally associated with the inflammatory rhetoric leading up to the Spanish-American War (1898)

jingoism (n.)

loud and excessive patriotism, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy; bellicose rhetoric; chauvinist

isthmus (n.)

a narrow strip of land, bordered on both sides by water, connecting two larger bodies of land

protectorate (n.)

a relationship of protection and partial control assumed by a superior power over a dependent country or region

concession (n.)

a grant of land or property, esp. by a govt., in return for services or for a particular use

partition (v.)

to divide into parts

pulpit (n.)

an elevated or raised platform or lectern in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon

corollary (n.)

any proposition that follows from, and is often appended to, one already proven or accepted

arbitration (n.)

settling of differences or a dispute by using a 3rd party or persons, chosen or agreed to by the disputants, who then imposes a legally binding decision

"muckraker" (n.)

journalists in the early 20th century who exposed the corruption of big business, government, or social injustice

municipal (adj.)

of or pertaining to a town or city or its local govt.

progressivism (n.)

wide-ranging early 20th century reform movement that advocated government activism to mitigate the problems created by urban industrialization; emphasized a belief in empirical social science, administrative efficiency, and morality [the term now tends to be used to refer to any efforts advocating social democracy, social welfare programs, or to any Left-leaning political philosophy]

conservationism (n.)

protecting the environment and natural resources for efficient & sustainable long-term use, such as by creating national parks, wildlife reserves, and by preventing businesses from exploiting or monopolizing public lands [see: Gifford Pinchot, Teddy Roosevelt]; in contrast, "preservationism" generally opposes human development and seeks to keep the environment in its natural or pristine state [see: John Muir]

utilities (n.)

services such as water, gas, and electricity that are provided to the public; companies that provide services such as water, gas, and electricity

"dollar diplomacy" (n.)

begun under Pres. Taft in the early 20th century, the U.S. government's policy of protecting and enhancing America's expanding business/economic interests in foreign countries by "substituting dollars for bullets"