APUSH All Vocab

Plains Indians

Indigenous peoples inhabiting the midwest region of North America, characterized by their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on buffalo hunting.

Rancheros

Wealthy landowners in Mexican California who owned large estates, typically engaged in ranching and agriculture.

Transcontinental Railroad

A transportation system completed in 1869 that connected the eastern and western United States, significantly reducing travel time and accelerating westward expansion and economic development.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of certain Asian laborers to the United States, reflecting growing racial sentiment and marking the first significant restriction on immigration based on nationality.

Homestead Act

Legislation passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers willing to farm the land and improve it over a period of five years, aiming to encourage westward migration and agricultural development.

Boom Town

A rapidly growing community, typically arising during a period of economic prosperity or resource discovery, characterized by a sudden influx of population and rapid development.

Turner’s Frontier Thesis

Historian Frederick Jackson Turner's influential theory, proposed in 1893, suggesting that the existence of the American frontier played a crucial role in shaping American identity, democracy, and the nation's character.

Concentration

A policy implemented by the U.S. government in the late 19th century to relocate Native American tribes onto reservations, concentrating them into specific areas and reducing their traditional territories.

Crazy Horse/Sitting Bull

Prominent Native American leaders of the Lakota Sioux known for their resistance against U.S. government policies and military expansion into the Great Plains.

Battle of the Little Bighorn

A significant conflict in 1876 between the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by General George Custer, and combined forces of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, resulting in a decisive Native American victory.

Custer’s Last Stand

Informal term referring to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where General George Custer and his troops were defeated and killed by Native American forces.

Ghost Dance

A spiritual movement among certain Native American tribes in the late 19th century, featuring ritual dances and prayers believed to bring about the return of deceased ancestors and the restoration of Native American lands and ways of life.

Wounded Knee

Site of a tragic interaction in 1890 between the U.S. Army and Lakota Sioux, resulting in the massacre of unarmed Native American men, women, and children, marking the end of significant armed resistance by Plains Indians.

Dawes Severalty Act of 1887

Legislation aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by allotting individual land parcels to tribal members and encouraging them to adopt Western agricultural practices, ultimately leading to the loss of tribal lands and cultural identity.

Barbed wire

A type of fencing material invented in the late 19th century, widely used in the American West to enclose and protect land, leading to conflicts over property rights and disputes between ranchers and farmers.

Bessemer process

A method for mass-producing steel, developed in the 1850s by Henry Bessemer, involving the blowing of air through molten iron to remove impurities and create stronger and cheaper steel.

Andrew Carnegie

A Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, known for his leadership in the steel industry and his advocacy of the Gospel of Wealth.

John D. Rockefeller

An American industrialist and philanthropist, founder of the Standard Oil Company, who became one of the wealthiest individuals in history through his consolidation of the oil industry and use of horizontal integration.

J.P. Morgan

An important American financier and banker, known for his role in organizing industrial consolidations such as the creation of U.S. Steel and for his influence in American business during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Horizontal Integration

A business strategy involving the consolidation of firms in the same industry by buying up other companies or undercutting them with lower prices. It aims to reduce competition.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy involving the ownership and control of all stages of production or distribution within a single industry, from raw materials to finished products, aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Trust

A legal arrangement in which a group of companies assigns their shares to a board of trustees, who then manage the companies as a single entity, often used by industrialists like Rockefeller to consolidate control over industries and eliminate competition.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

An American business magnate and philanthropist, known for his leadership in the railroad and shipping industries during the 19th century, amassing significant wealth and influence.

Social Darwinism

A belief system suggesting that the wealthy and successful were naturally superior and that poverty and inequality were inevitable and beneficial for progress. It is also called survival of the fittest.

Gospel of Wealth

An ideology promoted by industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, advocating for the responsible use of wealth to benefit society through philanthropy and social reform.

Horatio Alger Myth

A cultural narrative popularized in the late 19th century, promoting the idea of upward social mobility through hard work, perseverance, and virtuous behavior, often depicted in novels featuring characters who rise from rags to riches.

Monopolies

A situation in which a single company or group dominates an entire industry or market, controlling prices and excluding competition, often achieved through tactics such as consolidation, mergers, or anti-competitive practices.

The Great Railroad Strike

A major labor conflict in 1877, involving thousands of railroad workers across the United States protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions, eventually suppressed by federal troops.

The Knights of Labor

One of the largest and most influential labor organizations in the late 19th century, advocating for the rights of all workers regardless of skill level or industry, and promoting social and economic reform.

The AFL (American Federation of Labor)

A federation of labor unions founded in 1886, which focused on organizing skilled workers by trade and advocating for better wages, hours, and working conditions.

Homestead Strike

A violent labor dispute in 1892 at a plant in Pennsylvania, between striking steelworkers and private security agents hired by Carnegie Steel Company, resulting in several deaths and a setback for the labor movement.

Eugene V. Debs

A prominent American labor leader and socialist politician, founder of the American Railway Union and later the Socialist Party of America, known for his advocacy of workers' rights and his role in organizing strikes.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894, led by the American Railway Union against a Chicago area company, resulting in a federal injunction and military intervention by President Grover Cleveland, marking a significant setback for the labor movement.

New/Old Immigration

Two waves of immigration to the United States. The first typically refers to the earlier wave of immigration from Western and Northern Europe during the 17th to 19th centuries. The second was from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia, occurring primarily from the late 19th century onwards.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of the American society, as was the case with immigrants in the late 1800s.

Nativism

A political ideology characterized by the belief in protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against perceived threats posed by immigrants, often leading to discriminatory policies and anti-immigrant sentiment.

Frederick Law Olmsted

An American landscape architect and journalist, best known for designing Central Park in New York City and numerous other urban parks, advocating for the preservation of natural landscapes and the public green spaces.

Tenement

A type of multi-family urban housing, typically characterized by overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, prevalent in American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially among immigrant populations.

Jacob Riis/How the Other Half Lives

Journalist and social reformer who exposed the living conditions of immigrants in New York City tenements through photography and investigative reporting, sparking public awareness and reform efforts.

Political Machine

A corrupt political organization or group, typically in urban areas, that controls government activities and elections through bribery, patronage, and manipulation of voters, often associated with party bosses.

Graft

The illegal or unethical use of political power for personal gain, typically involving bribery, kickbacks, or embezzlement of public funds, commonly practiced by corrupt politicians and officials within political machines.

Tammany Hall

A powerful Democratic political machine that operated in New York City from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, known for its control over city politics and patronage, as well as its involvement in corruption and organized crime.

Morrill Land Grant Act

Legislation passed in 1862 that granted federally controlled land to states for the establishment of agricultural and mechanical colleges, aimed at promoting higher education in practical fields and expanding opportunities for agricultural and industrial training.

New/Old Immigration

Two waves of immigration to the United States. The first typically refers to the earlier wave of immigration from Western and Northern Europe during the 17th to 19th centuries. The second was from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia, occurring primarily from the late 19th century onwards.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of the American society, as was the case with immigrants in the late 1800s.

Nativism

A political ideology characterized by the belief in protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against perceived threats posed by immigrants, often leading to discriminatory policies and anti-immigrant sentiment.

Frederick Law Olmsted

An American landscape architect and journalist, best known for designing Central Park in New York City and numerous other urban parks, advocating for the preservation of natural landscapes and the public green spaces.

Tenement

A type of multi-family urban housing, typically characterized by overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, prevalent in American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially among immigrant populations.

Jacob Riis/How the Other Half Lives

Journalist and social reformer who exposed the living conditions of immigrants in New York City tenements through photography and investigative reporting, sparking public awareness and reform efforts.

Political Machine

A corrupt political organization or group, typically in urban areas, that controls government activities and elections through bribery, patronage, and manipulation of voters, often associated with party bosses.

Graft

The illegal or unethical use of political power for personal gain, typically involving bribery, kickbacks, or embezzlement of public funds, commonly practiced by corrupt politicians and officials within political machines.

Tammany Hall

A powerful Democratic political machine that operated in New York City from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, known for its control over city politics and patronage, as well as its involvement in corruption and organized crime.

Morrill Land Grant Act

Legislation passed in 1862 that granted federally controlled land to states for the establishment of agricultural and mechanical colleges, aimed at promoting higher education in practical fields and expanding opportunities for agricultural and industrial training.

Gilded Age

A period in American history during the late 19th century characterized by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and widespread corruption among political and business elites, as well as significant social inequality. It infers a thin layer of gold on top of society.

Patronage

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government appointments or favors, commonly used by political parties and officials to maintain power and loyalty.

Pendleton Act

Legislation passed in 1883 that established a merit-based civil service system in the United States, aiming to reduce political patronage and ensure that government positions were filled based on qualifications rather than political connections.

Sherman Antitrust Act

The first federal antitrust law passed in 1890, aimed at regulating and preventing monopolistic practices and unfair competition by large corporations. Although initially ineffective, it laid the groundwork for future antitrust legislation.

Interstate Commerce Act

Legislation passed in 1887 the first federal regulatory agency tasked with overseeing railroad rates and ensuring fair and non-discriminatory practices in interstate commerce.

Populism/Populist Movement

A political movement that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily among farmers and laborers, advocating for economic reforms to address the concerns of ordinary people, such as the regulation of monopolies, income tax, and free coinage of silver.

Free Silver

A monetary policy proposal advocated by Populists and mining interests during the late 19th century, calling for the unrestricted coinage of silver alongside gold at a fixed rate, believed to increase the money supply and benefit debtors.

Coxey’s Army

A protest march organized in 1894, during the midst of the Panic of 1893 and resulting depression, consisting of unemployed workers demanding federal jobs and relief measures.  Though unsuccessful, it drew attention to economic hardship and labor issues.

Cross of Gold Speech

An impassioned speech delivered by Democratic politician William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention, advocating for the coinage of silver and attacking the gold standard.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often to acquire territories or resources.

The Influence of Sea Power upon History

A book written by Alfred Thayer Mahan, published in 1890, which argued that a nation's greatness and prosperity depended on control of the seas and a strong navy.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

A United States Navy officer and historian who wrote extensively on naval strategy and the importance of sea power in his book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History.

Hawaiian Islands

A group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean, annexed by the United States in 1898.

Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst

Two newspaper publishers known for sensational and often exaggerated reporting, contributing to the rise of yellow journalism.

U.S.S. Maine

A U.S. naval ship that exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898, an event that helped lead the US into the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

A conflict in 1898 largely over the independence of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States from 1901–1909, known for his assertive foreign policy and domestic progressive reforms.

Rough Riders

A volunteer cavalry regiment, led by Theodore Roosevelt, famous for their role in the Spanish-American War and which made Roosevelt a war hero.

William McKinley

The 25th President of the United States (1897–1901), who oversaw over the Spanish-American War and the annexation of Hawaii.

Treaty of Paris, 1898

The peace treaty signed between the United States and Spain, officially ending the Spanish-American War and creating an American empire.

Platt Amendment

An amendment to the Cuban constitution, demanded by the United States as a condition for withdrawal of American troops from Cuba after the Spanish-American War, which gave the U.S. significant control over Cuban economic and political affairs.

Emilio Aguinaldo

A Filipino revolutionary leader who fought against both Spanish and American colonial rule in the Philippines.

Philippine Insurrection

An armed conflict between Filipino revolutionaries and the United States, following the Spanish-American War, over Philippine independence.

Open Door Policy

A policy proposed by the United States in 1899, aimed at ensuring equal access to China's markets for all foreign nations.

Progressivism

A political and social movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that advocated for reforms addressing social, economic, and political problems.

Muckrakers:

Journalists who exposed corruption, social injustices, and corporate abuses, often through investigative reporting.

Social Gospel

A movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that emphasized applying Christian principles to social problems, such as poverty and inequality.

Settlement Houses

Community centers in urban areas, typically run by middle-class reformers, that provided social services and educational programs to immigrants and the urban poor.

NAWSA

This group, by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was a leading organization advocating for women's suffrage in the United States. Their main goal was a Constitutional Amendment.

National Woman’s Party

A women's suffrage organization formed in the United States in 1916, advocating for the passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women's right to vote.

19th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote.

Initiative

A political reform allowing citizens to propose legislation and submit it to the voters for approval.

Referendum

A political reform enabling voters to either accept or reject laws passed by their legislature.

Recall

A political reform permitting voters to remove elected officials from office through a direct vote before their term expires.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

A tragic industrial disaster in 1911 in New York City where a fire in a garment factory killed 146 workers, leading to improved factory safety regulations.

Muller v. Oregon

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1908 that upheld an Oregon law limiting women's work hours, marking a significant victory for labor laws aimed at protecting women.

Booker T. Washington

African American educator and leader who advocated for vocational education and economic self-reliance for African Americans, notably through the Tuskegee Institute.

W.E.B. DuBois

African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for full civil rights and political representation for African Americans.

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909, is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States.

18th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution ratified in 1919, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, leading to the era of Prohibition.

Eugene Debs

A prominent American socialist and labor leader who ran for president five times as the Socialist Party nominee, advocating for workers' rights and social justice.

Socialist Party of America

A political party in the United States advocating for socialist policies and reforms, such as workers' rights, public ownership of industries, and social welfare programs.

Trust-Busting

The government's efforts to break up large monopolies and trusts, particularly during the Progressive Era, to promote competition and prevent unfair business practices.

The Jungle

A novel written by Upton Sinclair in 1906, exposing the harsh conditions and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry and leading to significant food safety reforms.

Upton Sinclair

An American author and muckraker known for his investigative journalism and novels exposing social injustices and corruption.

William Howard Taft

The 27th President of the United States (1909–1913) and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, known for his trust-busting efforts and role in advancing the Progressive movement.

Progressive Party or “Bull Moose” Party

A political party formed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, advocating for progressive reforms such as trust-busting, labor rights, and social welfare programs.