history reconstruction and westward expansion

10 Percent Plan

Lincoln’s lesser reconstruction plan that required only 10% of a Southern state’s voters to pledge loyalty to the Union before rejoining “Let em up easy”

Wade-Davis Bill-

A stricter Reconstruction proposal by Congress that said 50% of a state’s voters must pledge loyalty before reentry, but it was vetoed by Lincoln in opposition to Lincoln

Confederates Return to Congress (1865)-

Many former Confederate leaders returned to Congress, angering Northern Republicans “redeemers”

Black Codes

jim crow laws but pt 2. They were passed in the South to restrict African Americans’ rights and keep them in conditions similar to slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves, and ensured equal protection under the laws.

Johnson’s Impeachment-

Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House for violating the Tenure of Office Act but was saved by one vote

Fifteenth Amendment-

Prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous servitude.

Civil Rights Act of 1866-

The first federal law to define citizenship and guarantee equal protection, countering jim crow laws

Scalawags –

Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party

Carpetbaggers-

Northerners who moved to the South during Reconstruction, often to seek economic or political opportunities

Tenant Farming-

Similar to sharecropping, but tenants paid rent for land rather than giving a share of crops - legal slavery

Ku Klux Klan-

A white supremacist terrorist group that used violence to intimidate African Americans and Republicans

Corruption in Grant’s Presidency-

A series of scandals (stole money which tarnished Grant’s administration

Compromise of 1877-

Resolved the disputed election by making Hayes president in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South which ended reconstruction

w e b tu bois -

african americans should increase their education to increase their status

plessy v ferguson

separate but equal (segregation)

Great Plains –

flat land, prairie, and grassland in central North America, stretching from Texas to Canada and east of the Rocky Mountains.

How did the Native Americans survive on the Great Plains?

They ate buffalo for food, and made their own clothing, shelter, and tools.

What was the Native American response to the Reservation System?

They resisted being forced onto reservations because it restricted their way of life. Some fought back and others tried to negotiate or adapt.

Homestead Act (1862) –

A law that gave 160 acres of free land to settlers who lived on and farmed it for five years. It encouraged westward expansion.

Sand Creek Massacre (1864) –

An attack by U.S. troops on a peaceful Cheyenne village in Colorado. Over 150 Native Americans, mostly women and children, were killed.

Fetterman Massacre (1866) –

A battle where Sioux native Americans led by Red Cloud ambushed and killed 80 U.S. soldiers. It was part of the resistance to settlers and forts along the Bozeman Trail.

Sitting Bull –

A Lakota Sioux chief and spiritual leader who strongly resisted U.S. government policies.

George A. Custer –

U.S. officer who was defeated at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where he and his men were killed by Native Americans

Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876) –

A major victory for the Sioux and Cheyenne against U.S. forces montana

Assimilation –

The process of forcing Native Americans to adopt American culture, language, religion, and farming instead of their own

Dawes Act (1887) –

A law aimed at assimilating Native Americans by giving them individual land plots and dissolving tribal ownership. It led to loss of Native land and culture.

Ghost Dance –

A spiritual movement among Native Americans that hoped to bring back the buffalo and ancestors, and end white expansion. It was seen as a threat by the U.S. government.

Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) –

A massacre where U.S. troops killed over 300 unarmed Sioux men, women, and children. It ended Native American armed resistance.

Longhorn Cattle –

A breed of cattle that lived in the plains and were useful to the cattle industry

Soddy –

A home made of sod (grass and soil) used by settlers on the Great Plains due to the lack of wood.

Long Drive –

The journey cowboys made to move cattle from Texas to railroad towns in Kansas, where they were shipped to markets.

Homesteaders –

People who settled on the Great Plains under the Homestead Act, farming and building lives on the land.

Exodusters –

African Americans who moved from the South to Kansas after the Civil War to escape racism and find better opportunities.

Morrill Land Grant Acts (1862 & 1890) –

Laws that gave states land to fund colleges, especially those focused on agriculture and mechanical arts.

Bonanza Farms –

Large, highly mechanized farms in the Great Plains that focused on growing one main crop, usually wheat.

The Grange –

An organization of farmers that worked together to improve conditions and lower railroad rates.

Populism –

A political movement that represented the common people, especially farmers, and wanted to reduce the power of big businesses and banks.

Populist Party (People’s Party) –

A political party formed to fight for the rights of farmers and laborers.

Panic of 1893 –

A severe economic depression caused by railroad failures and bank collapses. It led to high unemployment and hurt farmers and workers the most.

Bimetallism –

A system where the value of money is backed by both gold and silver. Populists supported it to increase the money supply and help people in debt.

William McKinley –

Republican candidate who won the presidential election of 1896. He supported the gold standard and big business interests.

William Jennings Bryan –

Democratic and Populist candidate in 1896. He supported bimetallism and gave the famous “Cross of Gold” speech.

Cross of Gold Speech –

A speech by William Jennings Bryan, criticizing the gold standard and defending the working people and farmers.