Unit 11 -

Gilded Age

Period characterized by economic growth, political corruption, and social upheaval in the late 19th century.

Uncle Sam

National personification of the United States, iconic in symbolizing American government and patriotism.

Indian Intercourse Act (1834)

Legislation that forbade whites from entering Indian country without a license.

Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851)

Agreement that allowed Native Americans to live on designated territories in exchange for safe passage for settlers.

Plains Indians

Native American tribes that lived in the Great Plains, known for their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on buffalo.

Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

A tragic event where U.S. soldiers killed over 200 unarmed Sioux, marking the end of large-scale Native American resistance.

Dawes Severalty Act (1887)

Law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land.

Buffalo Soldiers

African American troops who served in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars.

Populism

Political movement representing the interests of farmers and laborers, emphasizing the need for political and economic reforms.

Spanish-American War

Conflict between the U.S. and Spain in 1898 resulting in U.S. territorial gains in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Homestead Act of 1862

Legislation that provided land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward expansion.

Ghost Dance Movement

Religious movement among Native Americans that aimed to restore traditional ways and bring back the buffalo.

McKinley's Gold Standard

Economic policy that supported the dollar's conversion into gold, influencing monetary debates in the 1890s.

Big Stick Diplomacy

The foreign policy of Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing military intervention as a way to influence world affairs.

Progressive Income Tax

Taxation system in which the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases, promoted by the Populists.

Oregon Trail

Route traveled by settlers moving west, significant for the westward expansion during the 19th century.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news reporting that influenced public opinion and policy during the Spanish-American War.

The Great Plains

Region in the U.S. known as 'The Great American Desert'; home to many Native American tribes and a focus for settlers.

Exodusters

African American settlers who migrated westward, primarily to Kansas, following the Civil War.

Sitting Bull

Spiritual leader of the Lakota Sioux, known for his role in the resistance against U.S. government policies.

Custer's Last Stand

Another name for the Battle of Little Bighorn, where General Custer and his men were defeated by Sioux warriors.