LEQ

Homestead Act

A U.S. law enacted in 1862 that granted 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.

Frederick Jackson Turner

An American historian best known for his "Frontier Thesis," which argued that the American character was shaped by the existence of the frontier and the opportunities it provided for social mobility and democracy.

Reservation Policy

A U.S. policy aimed at relocating Native American tribes to designated areas, or reservations, often resulting in loss of their traditional lands and way of life.

Sioux Wars

A series of conflicts between the United States and various Native American tribes, primarily the Sioux, during the late 19th century over land and resources.

Ghost Dance Movement AND Wounded Knee

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual movement among Native Americans that aimed to restore their ancestral ways and bring about a renewal of their culture. The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked a tragic end to this movement, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Sioux people.

Assimilation

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, often leading to the loss of their original identity.

Dawes Severalty Act

A law enacted in 1887 aimed at assimilating Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land and granting U.S. citizenship, ultimately undermining tribal sovereignty.

Indian Reorganization Act

A 1934 law aimed at reversing the Dawes Act's assimilation policies, promoting self-governance and the preservation of Native American cultures.

Little Big Horn

A 1876 battle between the U.S. Army and Lakota Sioux, resulting in a significant victory for the Native Americans led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

Push and Pull factors

Economic and social reasons that drive migration, including opportunities and challenges.

tenement apartments

Low-cost urban housing for immigrants and the working class, often overcrowded and lacking basic amenities.

ethnic neighborhoods

Areas within cities where specific immigrant groups settle, maintaining cultural practices and community support.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States, reflecting racial discrimination and economic tensions.

American Protective Association

A nativist organization founded in 1887 that aimed to restrict immigration and promote the interests of native-born Americans, often targeting Catholics and immigrants.

Settlement houses/Jane Addams

Community centers established in urban areas to provide services and support to immigrants and the poor, often associated with reformer Jane Addams.