AP US History Unit 6: Industrialization & the Gilded Age, 1865-1898

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from Unit 6 of AP US History, focusing on Industrialization and the Gilded Age, especially relating to Westward Expansion, social and cultural developments, and the struggles faced by different communities during this period.

Homestead Act

A law passed in 1862 that granted 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they improved the land.

Exodusters

African American migrants who fled the post-Reconstruction South to settle in the West.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the customs and values of another culture, often leading to a loss of their original identity.

Battle of Little Bighorn

A significant battle in 1876 where U.S. forces, led by Custer, were defeated by Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.

Dawes Act

Legislation enacted in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land.

Sand Creek Massacre

A brutal attack in 1864 where U.S. troops killed over 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho people, illustrating violent conflicts during westward expansion.

Ghost Dance movement

A religious movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century that aimed to restore their culture and traditions and resist white domination.

Wounded Knee Massacre

An event in 1890 where U.S. troops killed over 250 Lakota Sioux, marking the end of armed Native American resistance.

Census Bureau Declaration (1890)

The announcement that no clear frontier line remained, marking a pivotal moment in American history.

Munn v. Illinois

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1877 that upheld states' rights to regulate private industries impacting the public.

Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

Legislation aimed at regulating the railroad industry to ensure fair rates and eliminate monopolistic practices.

One Big Reservation Policy

A U.S. government strategy to consolidate various Native American tribes into a single large reservation.

Chief Black Kettle

A leader of the Southern Cheyenne known for his peace negotiations between Native Americans and the U.S. government.

Standard Oil Company

An oil refining company founded by John D. Rockefeller, becoming a symbol of Gilded Age monopolistic practices.

Bonanza farms

Large-scale farming operations in the late 19th century, producing single crops on a massive scale.

Railroad Boomtowns

Rapidly growing towns that developed around mineral discoveries and railway construction during westward expansion.

Cultural Persistence

The efforts made by Native American tribes to maintain their cultural identities despite assimilation pressures.

Farmers' Alliances

Organized groups formed in the late 19th century aimed at promoting the economic interests of farmers.