APUSH Westward Expansion and Farm Movements: Railroads, Plains, and Populism

What were the Transcontinental Railroads?

Major railway lines connecting the eastern United States to the western frontier, completed in 1869.

Why were the Transcontinental Railroads important?

They allowed quick movement of settlers, created national markets, encouraged town growth, and displaced Native Americans.

What are the Great Plains?

A vast, flat, grass-covered region from Texas to Canada, west of the Mississippi River.

Why did the Great Plains matter?

It became a center for wheat and corn farming and attracted millions of homesteaders.

What was the Great American Desert?

A nickname for the Great Plains in the early 1800s due to misconceptions about its fertility.

Why was the Great American Desert significant?

It delayed settlement and demonstrated how technology changed perceptions of the West.

What is the 100th Meridian?

An imaginary line marking the boundary between the humid East and the dry West.

Why is the 100th Meridian important?

It led to new farming techniques like dry farming and irrigation in arid regions.

Why were buffalo herds important?

They were central to Plains Native American life, providing food, clothing, and tools.

What impact did the destruction of buffalo herds have?

It weakened Native resistance and accelerated westward expansion.

Who were the vaqueros?

Mexican cowboys who developed cattle herding techniques.

What were longhorn cattle?

A breed of cattle brought by the Spanish that adapted well to harsh conditions.

What were cattle drives?

The movement of cattle from Texas ranches to railroad towns like Abilene, Kansas.

Why was barbed wire important?

It allowed farmers to fence land cheaply, ending open-range grazing.

What was the Homestead Act?

A law that granted settlers 160 acres of land if they farmed it for five years.

Who was Joseph Glidden?

The inventor of barbed wire.

What is dry farming?

A method that conserves soil moisture by deep plowing and packing the soil.

What are cash crops?

Crops grown primarily for sale and profit, such as wheat and cotton.

What were markets in the context of farming?

National and international systems where farmers sold crops.

What is deflation?

A decrease in prices that increases the value of money.

Who were middlemen?

Entities like railroad companies and banks that controlled transportation and storage.

What was the National Grange?

A farmers' organization founded in 1867 to improve economic and social conditions.

What were cooperatives?

Farmer-owned businesses that marketed crops and bought supplies in bulk.

What were the Granger Laws?

State laws regulating railroad and grain elevator rates.

What was Munn v. Illinois?

A Supreme Court case that upheld state regulation of businesses serving the public interest.

What was the Ocala Platform?

A Populist Party platform calling for free silver, government control of railroads, and direct election of senators.