APUSH Unit 6 critical thinking

Western Settlement

Movement of settlers into the western U.S. for land and opportunity

Joseph Glidden

Inventor of barbed wire in 1874, which helped farmers protect their land.

Transcontinental Railroads

Railroads connecting the east and west coasts, boosting trade and settlement.

“Dry Farming”

Agricultural method conserving moisture in arid regions, allowing crops to grow with little water.

Great Plains

Flat land region in the U.S. known for grasslands, crucial for farming and ranching.

Farm Protest Movements (PCE)

Late 19th-century movements advocating for farmers' rights and better prices.

Great American Desert

Term for the arid land west of the 100th meridian, seen as unfit for farming.

Cash Crops:

Crops grown for sale, like cotton and wheat, important for the economy.

100th Meridian

Line dividing wetter eastern U.S. from drier western U.S., significant for agriculture.

Markets:

Places where goods are bought and sold, essential for farmers to sell crops.

Buffalo Herds

Large groups of buffalo vital to Native American cultures, later decimated by settlers.

Deflation

Decrease in prices, hurting farmers by lowering crop prices.

Western Development (MIG)

Growth of infrastructure and settlements in the western U.S.

Middlemen

• Middlemen

Intermediaries who buy from producers and sell to consumers, taking a cut of profits.

Vaqueros

Spanish cowboys skilled in cattle herding on western ranches.

National Grange Movement

Organization supporting farmers' interests and advocating for reforms.

Longhorn Cattle

Breed known for long horns, symbolizing the cattle ranching industry.

Cooperatives

Businesses owned by a group for mutual benefit, often used by farmers.

Cattle Drives

Moving large herds of cattle to market, often from Texas to railheads.

Granger Laws

Laws regulating railroad rates to protect farmers in the late 19th century.

Barbed Wire

Fencing wire with sharp edges, used to contain livestock and protect crops.

Munn v. Illinois

1877 Supreme Court case allowing states to regulate private industries for public good.

Homestead Act

1862 law granting 160 acres of land to settlers for a small fee.

Ocala Platform

1890s proposals by the National Farmers' Alliance for economic reforms.

What was the significance of the Homestead Act of 1862?

The Homestead Act granted 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward expansion and settlement.

How did the transcontinental railroads impact western settlement?

They connected the east and west coasts, making travel and trade easier, which spurred migration and economic growth in the West.

What was "dry farming," and why was it important?

Dry farming is an agricultural method that conserves moisture in arid regions, allowing crops to grow with limited water, crucial for farming in the Great Plains.

Who were the vaqueros, and what role did they play in the West?

vaqueros were Spanish cowboys skilled in cattle herding, contributing to the ranching culture in the West.

What were the Granger Laws, and what did they aim to achieve?

Granger Laws were regulations passed to control railroad rates and protect farmers from unfair practices.

Explain the concept of cash crops and give an example.

Cash crops are grown for sale rather than personal use. An example is cotton, which was a major cash crop in the South.

What was the purpose of the National Grange Movement?

The National Grange Movement aimed to support farmers' interests, promote education, and advocate for agricultural reforms.

Describe the impact of deflation on farmers in the late 19th century.

Deflation lowered crop prices, making it harder for farmers to pay off debts and maintain their livelihoods.

What was the Ocala Platform, and who proposed it?

The Ocala Platform was a set of proposals by the National Farmers' Alliance in the 1890s advocating for economic reforms like regulating railroads and implementing a graduated income tax.

How did barbed wire change farming practices in the West?

Barbed wire allowed farmers to effectively fence their land, protecting crops and livestock from roaming cattle, which was crucial for settling the Great Plains.

How did the closing of the frontier in the late 19th century impact American identity and society?

The closing of the frontier led to a shift in American identity, emphasizing individualism and democracy. Turner argued that the frontier shaped a unique American character, fostering innovation and a spirit of independence. It also sparked debates about what it meant to be American without a frontier to explore.

Discuss the experiences of Mexican Americans in the context of westward expansion. How did their status change during this period?

Mexican Americans faced significant challenges during westward expansion, including land loss and cultural assimilation pressures. Many lost their land due to legal loopholes and discrimination, leading to a decline in their social and economic status. However, they also contributed to the cultural fabric of the Southwest.

Analyze Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis in “The Significance of the Frontier in American History.” What were its main arguments, and how did it influence historical interpretation?

Turner’s thesis argued that the frontier was crucial in shaping American democracy and character. He believed that the challenges of frontier life fostered individualism and innovation. This thesis influenced historians by framing the frontier as a key element in understanding American history and identity

Evaluate the environmental impact of westward expansion, particularly in relation to deforestation and conservation efforts. How did this shape policies in the late 19th century?

Westward expansion led to significant deforestation and environmental degradation. The demand for land and resources prompted conservation efforts, resulting in policies like the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, which aimed to protect forests and promote sustainable management of natural resources.

Examine the significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn in the broader context of American Indian resistance. What were its immediate and long-term effects?

The Battle of Little Bighorn was a significant victory for Native Americans, showcasing their resistance against U.S. expansion. However, it led to increased military action against tribes and a shift in public perception, ultimately resulting in harsher policies towards Native Americans.

What was the Ghost Dance movement, and how did it reflect the struggles of American Indians during the late 19th century?

The Ghost Dance movement was a spiritual revival among Native Americans, promoting hope for a return to traditional ways and the restoration of their lands. It reflected their struggles against U.S. policies and was met with fear and repression from the government, culminating in events like the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Analyze the Dawes Act of 1887. What were its goals, and how did it affect Native American communities?

The Dawes Act aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land, breaking up tribal lands. While it intended to promote self-sufficiency, it resulted in significant loss of tribal land and culture, undermining Native American sovereignty.

Discuss the role of conservationists like John Muir and organizations like the Sierra Club in shaping environmental policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

John Muir and the Sierra Club played a crucial role in advocating for environmental preservation. Their efforts led to the establishment of national parks, emphasizing the importance of protecting natural landscapes from exploitation and promoting a conservation ethic in American society.

How did the Forest Management Act of 1897 reflect the changing attitudes towards natural resources and conservation in the U.S.?

The Forest Management Act reflected a growing recognition of the need to manage natural resources sustainably. It aimed to balance resource extraction with conservation, establishing guidelines for the protection and use of forest lands.

Evaluate the impact of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 on Native American tribes. How did it aim to reverse the policies of assimilation?

The Indian Reorganization Act aimed to reverse assimilation policies by restoring some degree of self-governance and land to Native American tribes. It encouraged tribal sovereignty and aimed to preserve Native cultures, although its implementation varied widely among tribes.

What were the main components of the "New South" vision promoted by Henry Grady?

The "New South" vision aimed to modernize the Southern economy by promoting industrialization, diversifying agriculture, and fostering economic cooperation between races, moving away from the reliance on cotton and slavery.

How did Birmingham, Memphis, and Richmond contribute to the economic development of the South?

Birmingham became a steel production hub, Memphis was known for its lumber industry, and Richmond was a center for tobacco production, all contributing to the South's industrial growth and economic diversification.

Discuss the impact of racial discrimination on Southern society in the late 19th century.

Racial discrimination entrenched social and economic inequalities, leading to Jim Crow laws, disenfranchisement through literacy tests and poll taxes, and widespread violence from lynch mobs, severely limiting African Americans' rights and opportunities.

What were the Civil Rights Cases of 1883, and what was their significance?

The Civil Rights Cases of 1883 were a series of Supreme Court decisions that struck down the Civil Rights Act of 1875, ruling that private discrimination was not prohibited by the 14th Amendment, which weakened federal protections for African Americans

Explain the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) in the context of racial segregation.

Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine, legitimizing state laws that enforced racial segregation and solidifying Jim Crow laws across the South for decades.

What were grandfather clauses, and how did they affect African American voters?

Grandfather clauses allowed individuals to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes if their grandfathers had been eligible to vote before the Civil War, effectively disenfranchising many African Americans while allowing poor white voters to retain their voting rights.

Who was Ida B. Wells, and what contributions did she make to civil rights?

Ida B. Wells was an African American journalist and activist who documented and protested against lynching, advocating for civil rights and social justice through her writings and public speaking.

What was the Atlanta Compromise, and how did it reflect the views of Booker T. Washington?

The Atlanta Compromise was a speech by Booker T. Washington advocating for vocational education and economic cooperation between races, suggesting that African Americans should accept segregation in exchange for economic opportunities.

Contrast the views of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois regarding civil rights and education.

Washington emphasized vocational training and economic advancement as a means to improve the status of African Americans, while Du Bois advocated for higher education, civil rights, and political activism, believing that a "Talented Tenth" should lead the fight for equality.

How did tenant farming and sharecropping perpetuate economic discrimination in the South?

Tenant farming and sharecropping kept many African Americans in a cycle of poverty and debt, as they often had to borrow against future crops, limiting their economic mobility and reinforcing the power of white landowners.

What were Jim Crow laws, and how did they institutionalize racial discrimination?

Jim Crow laws were state and local statutes that enforced racial segregation in the South, institutionalizing discrimination in public facilities, schools, transportation, and more, creating a system of inequality.

How did literacy tests and poll taxes serve as tools of disenfranchisement?

Literacy tests and poll taxes were used to disenfranchise African American voters by imposing unfair requirements that many could not meet, effectively suppressing their political power and participation.