APUSH Period 6 Vocab

Sioux

Sioux

most powerful tribe of the Plains Indians, subsisted on hunting buffalo, tribes followed the herds, which provided for almost all of the Indian needs

Homestead Act (1862)

first in a series of acts that made land accessible to settlers, 160 acres of land were given if an individual promised to farm the land, soil not as good in West, more land needed

Dawes Act

attempted to "Americanize" the Natives

assimilation

gave individual Natives land, sent Natives to white controlled schools, removed traditional rituals and religious practices, many Natives resisted

Union Pacific

built westward from Omaha, Nebraska

Central Pacific

built eastward from California

Boomtowns

areas of West have significant mineral deposits, settlers hoped to make a quick profit, news of a find would cause mass migration, causing mining camps to form, some camps turned into cities, hectic and frenzied, value of minerals attracted gangs, forcing locals to enforce their own laws thru vigilante justice

Ranching

the raising of livestock was as significant as farming in the West

The Morrill Act

gave federal land to states to finance agricultural colleges

The Grange

an organization formed to help farmers, also helped with formation of other organizations to help farmers

The Farmers Alliance

sent people across the country to discuss the issues that affected farmers and to educate them on those issues

Populist Party (People's Party)

wanted to help farmers eliminate debt and have a greater voice, Farmers Alliance gave rise to the creation of it

bimetallism

using gold AND silver to back currency, making it more available than if just gold was used

Cross of Gold Speech

William J Bryan famous speech on bimetallism

"New" Immigrants

came from all of Europe, new cultures, languages, and religions were being introduced to the US

Ellis Island

Main immigration station in NYC

nativism

favoritism towards those born in America, many anti-immigrant groups formed this movement, also a religious issue

Americanization Movement

designed to assimilate people of differing cultures into one primary American culture, administered through schools, churches, other civic organizations

pools

Railroads often bribed public officials, charged variable prices in which to reward or punish certain areas or people, used business "pools" to control the market

Granger Laws

Many farmers thought RR companies were unfair/corrupt, wanted Federal gvt to control them, several states passed laws regulating rates the RR could charge

Munn v. Illinois

Supreme Court ruled that states could regulate the railroads

Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company v. Illinois (1886)

Supreme Court ruled against the states, Significantly weakened states' ability to regulate interstate commerce, weakening/eliminating many Granger Laws

Interstate Commerce Act

passed by Congress, created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), allowed federal gvt to regulate railroad fares and practices, didn't significantly alter the existing system, first attempt by DC to regulate business

kerosene

Native Americans used oil in small capacities for centuries, wasn't used by Americans until the 1840s when kerosene lamps were used

gasoline

Oil was used to produce kerosene, with invention of the automobile, gasoline became one of the most important forms of oil

Horizontal Integration

combining firms that engage in the same enterprise

Vertical Integration

taking over firms that a company relies on for its primary function

John D Rockefeller

Established the Standard Oil Company, the greatest, wisest, and meanest monopoly known in history

Standard Oil

grew in the 1870s-80s as Rockefeller bought out competing companies and expanded vertically, Standard Oil dominated the US oil market

Bessemer process

removed impurities from iron, which produced steel, steel is lighter, stronger, more flexible, more rust-resistant than iron and used to build railroads, barbed wire, equipment, and later skyscrapers

Andrew Carnegie

Carnegie Steel Company was one of the largest in this industry

corporations

businesses that are owned by many investors who buy shares of stock

Social Darwinism

the idea that the rich earned their success thru hard work and intelligence

robber barons

rich business owners gain their wealth through the labor of others

Captains of Industry

rich business owners push America forward through their determination, hard work, and skill

gospel of wealth

to those that much is given, much is expected

Ulysses S. Grant

a republican with no political experience, was elected in 1868 following Andrew Johnson, some of the most corrupt administrations, many political appointments were dishonest

Credit Mobilier

railroad construction company, defrauded the government for millions of dollars

Political Machines

organized groups began to control politics of cities, offered services to businesses and people in exchange for political/financial support, many helped immigrants adjust to life in US in exchange for votes

Boss Tweed

head of Tammany Hall, notorious political machine in NYC, operated from 1851-71, defrauded citizens for $$

Patronage

the giving of govt jobs to friends or supporters of govt officials, also known as spoils system under Andrew Jackson

Rutherford B Hayes

Elected in 1876, couldn't convince Congress to support reform

James A Garfield

became president but was assassinated a few months later

Chester Arthur

had ties to former political bosses, decided to support reform

Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883

set up a merit system based on exam performance

Chinese Exclusion Act

passed in 1882 by Congress, provided an absolute 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to US, first significant law limiting immigration to US

dumbbell tenements

multi-family dwellings, often crowded families into one room, no plumbing/ventilation

Social Gospel

preached importance of service to the poor (as a part of service to God)

settlement houses

formed in slums to help people in the are, especially immigrants (Hull House, Jane Addams, 1889)