Unit 6 APUSH Terms - Chapter 17+

Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851)

1) Was in response to the large number of Americans migrating to the West during the Gold Rush.

2) At this time the US Government did not claim any of the land of the Native Americans.

3) Tribes guaranteed safe passage to migrating Americans on the Oregon Trail.

Homestead Act (1862)

1) Was an extension of the concept of the Free Soil policy that encouraged individuals to own their own farms.

2) Guaranteed 160 acres of land for free if property was developed.

3) Many of these lots were later sold off to large cattle barons.

Yellowstone (1872)

1) Was the first National Park in the United States.

2) Was a response to the growing movement for conservation (protection of America's public lands) in the United States.

3) Was used to protect the rapidly declining bison population of the Western United States.

Battle of Little Big Horn (1876)

1) Often referred to as "Custer's Last Stand".

2) Was a battle between the Lakota Sioux and the United States over the Black Hills .

3) One of the few Native American victories during the Indian Wars.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

1) Prohibited the immigration of all Chinese laborers.

2) First law that specifically prevented an entire ethnic group from immigration.

3) Was a result of a growing nativist movement toward the end of the Industrial Revolution.

A Century of Dishonor (1881)

1) A book by Helen Hunt Jackson detailing the injustices against Native Americans.

2) Discussed many of the massacres perpetrated against the natives of the West.

3) Was an attempt to change government policy toward Native Americans away from violence, but led to assimilation.

Combine Harvester (1881)

1) Continuing mechanization of farming which increased American food supply with less farmers.

2) Labor-saving device for large farmers in the western United States.

3) Increased crop yields significantly and lowered farm prices, which hurt small farmer since prices dropped below production costs.

Interstate Commerce Act (1886)

1) Federal law designed to regulate the railroad industry 2) Was a response to pricing "pools" that led to monopolistic practices by railroad companies

3) Groups of farmers or "granges" were very important in lobbying for passage of the bill

Dawes Severalty Act (1887)

1) The President was authorized to subdivide Native American tribal landholdings to private property

2) Was part of the movement to assimilate Native Americans into American culture

3) Was destructive on Native American sovereignty, culture and identity in addition to taking away millions of acres of land.

National Grange Movement (1870)

1)This was a social and educational organization for farmers.

2)They established "cooperatives" for farmers to help cut costs charged by railroads and other businesses. 3)They were big supporters of the Populist Party.

Forest Reserve Act (1891)

1)This allowed the president to set aside land protected from the public.

2)This led to debates between conservationists and preservationists.

3)Conservationists believed in scientific management and use of natural resources, whereas preservationists such as John Muir wanted to protect land from human interference.

Frederick Jackson Turner’s frontier thesis (1893)

1)This essay stated that the 300 years of settlement out west promoted individualism and independence.

2)This essay also acknowledged that more Americans were moving to cities as a result of industrialization. 3)By moving to cities, the fear was that there would be more class division and social conflict.

Populist (People’s) Party (1892)

1) They were concerned with problems caused by industrialization.

2) Advocated for direct election of senators, unlimited coinage of silver, government ownership of industry, and an eight hour work day.

3) Mainly represented farmers out west.

Election of 1896 (1896)

1)Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan ran against Republican William McKinley.

2) Bryan gave his famous "Cross of Gold" speech, in which he advocated for the unlimited coinage of silver. 3)Bryan lost, and this led to the demise of the Populist Party.