US History from 1877 to Present - Lecture 1

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on US History from 1877 to the present.

Making of Modern America

Refers to the creation of corporations, big cities, a two-party political system, amusement parks, and mass entertainment around the turn of the century (late 1800s, early 1900s).

History: Progress and Regression

The idea that culture, society, and United States history are always moving forward and improving, but sometimes take a step back. Similar to 'three steps forward, two steps back'.

Pushing Back Against Historical Myths

Challenging commonly held beliefs about individuals, events, wars, and politics that have become myths, even among teachers and historians..

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the United States must expand from coast to coast, spreading American ideals and goodness across the North American continent.

Great Plains

Vast area west of the Mississippi River, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming. By 1877, this area was largely unsettled by white Americans.

Westward Expansion Drivers (Post-Civil War)

Instead of slavery, westward expansion was driven by profit, American colonialism, and the concept of manifest destiny.

Population Boom (Late 1800s)

Driven largely by immigration, the U.S. population increased by 63% in 20 years, from 38 million in 1870 to 62 million in 1890.

Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872 under President Ulysses Grant, it was the first national park in the U.S.

Alexander Graham Bell

Invented the telephone in the late 1800s, revolutionizing communication and bringing America closer together.

Thomas Edison

Invented the light bulb, enabling Americans to work and engage in activities later into the night, making cities safer.

Hiram Maxim

Invented the machine gun, transforming warfare.

Carl Benz

Invented the first gasoline-powered automobile in Germany, influencing the flow of technological ideas across the Atlantic.

James Blythe

Englishman who invented the wind turbine for generating electricity back in the 1880s.

The Gilded Age

The time period of industrial and economic boom for America due to the technology and growth.

Capital

Money, one of the requirements to settle west, primarily came from rich individuals on the East Coast.

Transportation

Railroads were faster and more efficient means of settling the west, but they were also expensive.

Chicago

City that literally means 'where garlic is', developed as the hub for westward expansion because of its central location.

Critical Link (Chicago)

Chicago created a critical link between eastern money and western opportunities, and had an economic link between cities and rural areas.

Transportation Importance of Chicago

Sitting on the Great Lakes, Chicago had access to Canada, Eastern ports, Wisconsin timber, and also railroads.

Cattle Industry (Great Plains)

The first industry in the Great Plains, with millions of cows grazing. Cattle flow primarily from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas to Chicago.

Refrigerated Railcar

Invented around 1880, revolutionized the meat industry by allowing fresh meat to be shipped long distances, transforming diets.

Gustavus Swift

Inventor of the refrigerated railcar and revolutionized in the meat packing industry by controlling every stage of the business: cattle yards, slaughterhouses, meat packing plants, rail cars, warehouses, and butcher shops.

Environmental Damage (Cattle Industry)

Introduction of non-native cattle and the destruction of native grasses led to irreversible environmental damage to the Great Plains, contributing to the Dust Bowl.

The Homestead Act

Passed in 1862, this law allowed the federal government to give 160 acres in the Great Plains as long as it was farmed and improved upon after 5 years.

Hazards of Living on the Great Plains

Droughts, grasshoppers, fires, unpredictable storms, and sometimes Native Americans.

The Grange

Organization for social activities created in 1867, that brought farmers together on the Great Plains. Layed the foundation for the populist movement.

Bison on the Great Plains

The Bison, including the Native Americans, were considered obstacles to westward expansion on the Great Plains.

Bison Importance

They were a primary source of food, leather, and tools made from bones for the native Americans of the Great Plains.

Bison Extermination

From 1850 and 1890, nearly the entire population of 50,000,000 buffalo were killed. This marked the largest intentional destruction of a species.

Fort Laramie Treaty (1868)

Federal treaty that established the Great Sioux Reservation in the western half of South Dakota, granting the Lakota people the land forever. The treaty was quickly violated with American settlers.

Discovery of Gold (Black Hills, 1874)

Led to the influx of thousands of white Americans into the region, violating the Fort Laramie Treaty and causing native Americans to start leaving the reservation.

The Great Sioux War

Took place between 1876 and 1877 as a result of the gold being discovered, and the continual push off of the Native Americans land.

Crazy Horse

A military leader during The Great Sioux War, led a combined group of Lakota and Cheyenne. He was okay with living on the reservations as long as the government abided by the treaty.

Sitting Bull

Served as a military leader, prophet, and spiritual political leader. Did not believe the white men would agree to the treaty.

George Armstrong Custer

Lieutenant colonel and cavalry leader who made a fateful decision at Little Bighorn with the 7th cavalry, leading to defeat.

The Battle of Little Bighorn

The native Americans did not flee, and launched a counterattack against Reno. General (Colonel) Custer, up in his position had to face a larger army with better weapons with his cavalry that had been split into three pieces.

Aftermath of the Battle of Little Bighorn

Consequences included the Native American camps breaking up, the US government stopping all rations to the reservation, an increase in US troops, and the Lakotas losing their leaders. In the end, black hills from the Lakota were lost.

The Ghost Dance

A new religion created by the Native Americans as a peaceful mix of old native American religions and Christianity. Led the the Wounded Knee Massacre.

The Wounded Knee Massacre

The US army opened fire on the Native Americans led by the seventh cavalry. Approximately 300 of 350 Native Americans were killed. Several soldiers were given Congressional Medals of honor, that they are still trying to remove to this day.