Unit 6 Review - AP US History

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terms from Unit 6 of the AP US History curriculum, focusing on the economic, social, and political developments in the United States from 1865 to 1898.

Mechanization of Agriculture

The use of machines in farming, which greatly increased crop production but led to the decline of small farmers.

Homestead Act of 1862

A law that granted 60 acres of free land to settlers who would farm it for five years.

National Grange Movement

A collective aimed at uniting farmers for social and political advocacy, including the regulation of railroad rates.

Interstate Commerce Commission

A federal agency established by the Commerce Act of 1886 to regulate railroad rates.

Frederick Jackson Turner

Historian who argued that the closing of the frontier marked the end of a significant era in American history.

Dawes Act of 1887

Legislation that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land and granting them US citizenship.

Ghost Dance Movement

A religious movement among Native Americans aimed at restoring their ancestral lands and ways of life.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

The Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie's belief that the wealthy have a moral obligation to distribute their wealth for the welfare of the community.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applied the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to society, justifying inequalities in wealth and social status.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for better wages, hours, and working conditions.

Knights of Labor

An inclusive labor organization that sought to unite all workers and pushed for reforms such as the abolition of child labor.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions in the United States formed in 1886 which represented skilled workers.

Exoduster Movement

The migration of African Americans from the South to Kansas and other Western states in search of land and better opportunities.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

A law that prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States.

Nativism

An anti-immigrant sentiment that favored the interests of native-born inhabitants over those of immigrants.

Political Patronage

The practice of giving government jobs to supporters as a reward for their loyalty.

Pendleton Act of 1881

Legislation that established a merit-based system for federal employment, reducing the influence of patronage.

Populist Party

A political party formed in the 1890s that advocated for the rights of farmers and sought to address social and economic inequality.