Midterm 26-27

Reservation System

Treaties that established small plots of land designated for Native Americans.

Dawes Severalty Act of 1887

Dissolved tribes as legal entities, eliminated tribal ownership, and allocated individual plots of 160 acres to Indian families.

Indian Reorganization Act of 1934

Legislation aimed at reversing the Dawes Act and restoring some degree of self-governance to Native American tribes.

Wyoming Stock-Growers Association

An organization formed by cattle raisers to enhance the profitability of cattle raising.

Homestead Act of 1862

Allowed settlers to acquire up to 160 acres of land by living on it for 5 years and paying a nominal fee.

100th Meridian

An imaginary line that separates the wet east from the dry west of the United States.

Dry Farming

Agricultural practice of shallow cultivation to grow crops in arid environments.

Mechanization of Farms

The use of machinery in farming to improve efficiency, exemplified by the introduction of the Twine Binder.

Grange

Founded by Oliver H. Kelley, aimed to improve the lives and collective power of isolated farmers.

Greenback Labor Party

Political party focused on improving labor conditions and advocating for the use of paper currency.

Farmers Alliance

An organization that aimed to help farmers gain control over railroads and manufacturers.

Colored National Farmers Alliance

Founded in the 1880s to support the interests of Black farmers.

People’s Party (Populists)

Political group that emerged from the Farmers Alliance advocating for social and economic reforms.

Panic of 1893

Economic crisis that reinforced the Populists' claims of oppression of farmers and laborers.

Pullman Strike of 1894

Labor strike initiated in response to wage cuts, leading to federal intervention.

Election of 1896

McKinley defeated Bryan after a campaign reflecting the shift from rural to urban voter bases.

Fourth Party System

Political era from 1896 to 1932 marked by low voter turnout and new issues primarily concerned with industrial regulation.

Dingley Tariff Bill of 1897

Established high tariffs to raise revenue for the federal treasury.

Gold Standard Act of 1900

Legislation that allowed paper currency to be redeemed for gold.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. policy discouraging European colonization and interference in the Americas.

Platt Amendment

Legislation requiring Cuba to limit its sovereignty in favor of U.S. interests.

Teller Amendment

A promise that the U.S. would grant freedom to Cuba after defeating Spain.

Foraker Act of 1900

Legislation that provided Puerto Rico with limited self-government after becoming a U.S. territory.

Insular Cases

Supreme Court cases determining that U.S. constitutional rights do not automatically extend to territories.