Genizaros: Native Americans of mixed ancestry, often descendants of indigenous peoples and Spanish settlers in the American Southwest.
General Stephen Kearny: A U.S. Army officer during the Mexican-American War who played a key role in the conquest of California and New Mexico.
Coolies: A derogatory term used in the 19th century for manual laborers from Asia, particularly Chinese immigrants working in railroad construction and other labor-intensive jobs in the U.S.
Denis Kearney: An Irish-born American labor leader who led the Workingmen's Party of California, advocating for anti-Chinese policies during the late 19th century.
Henry George: An economist and social reformer best known for his book Progress and Poverty, in which he argued that land should be taxed to reduce inequality and promote economic justice.
Old Immigrants (pre 1800s): Immigrants to the U.S. before the 19th century, primarily from Europe (such as England, Scotland, and the Netherlands).
New Immigrants (post 1800s): Immigrants who arrived in the U.S. after 1800, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia, and faced different cultural and social challenges compared to earlier immigrants.
William Clark: An American explorer who, along with Meriwether Lewis, co-led the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) to explore the Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest.
Mark Twain: A famous American author and humorist, best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, often seen as a sharp critic of social issues.
Frederic Remington: An American artist and illustrator known for his depictions of the American West, particularly Western landscapes, cowboys, and Native American life.
Theodore Roosevelt: The 26th president of the U.S., known for his progressive reforms, trust-busting policies, conservation efforts, and leadership during the Spanish-American War.
Frederick Jackson Turner: An American historian best known for his "Frontier Thesis," arguing that the American frontier shaped the nation's democracy and character.
General Nelson Miles: A U.S. Army officer known for his involvement in the Indian Wars, including the defeat of the Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph.
Joseph Glidden: The inventor of barbed wire, which revolutionized fencing and agriculture in the American West.
Ellwood: Likely refers to the Ellwood Manufacturing Company, which played a significant role in producing barbed wire during the late 19th century.
Hamlin Garland: An American author and poet known for his works depicting the struggles of settlers and the harsh realities of farm life in the American Midwest.
Cherokee, Creek, Serrano, Chumash, Pomo, Maidu, Yurok, Chinook, Arapaho, Cheyenne: A diverse group of Native American tribes from various regions in North America, each with its own distinct culture, language, and history.
Pueblo: Native American tribes in the Southwestern U.S., known for their distinct adobe dwellings and agricultural practices.
Sioux Nation: A group of Native American tribes in the Great Plains, including the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota divisions, with a significant history in conflicts with the U.S. government.
Little Crow: A leader of the Dakota Sioux who led his people during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
Chief Black Kettle: A leader of the Southern Cheyenne who sought peace with the U.S. government but was killed in the Sand Creek Massacre.
Chicahua Apaches (Mangas, Cochise, Geronimo, Woroka): A group of Apache leaders and warriors, including Cochise and Geronimo, who fought to defend their land against U.S. military forces during the Apache Wars.
JM Chivington: A U.S. Army officer responsible for the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, where a large number of Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed.
George A. Custer: A U.S. Army officer remembered for his defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where his forces were overwhelmed by Native American tribes.
Nez Perce (Chief Joseph): A tribe from the Pacific Northwest, led by Chief Joseph, known for their resistance to relocation and their epic flight to Canada in 1877.
Buffalo Bill Cody: A famous showman and bison hunter who created Buffalo Bill's Wild West and popularized the image of the American West in the late 19th century.
Helen Hunt Jackson: An author and activist who worked to bring attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans, especially through her book A Century of Dishonor.
John Muir: A Scottish-American naturalist and environmentalist, co-founder of the Sierra Club, and advocate for the preservation of wilderness.
Gifford Pinchot: A conservationist and first head of the U.S. Forest Service, known for promoting scientific management of natural resources.
Henry Bessemer: Inventor of the Bessemer process, which revolutionized steel production, making it cheaper and more efficient.
George Bissell: A businessman and co-founder of the Pennsylvania Oil Company, helping to establish the U.S. petroleum industry.
Henry Ford: Founder of the Ford Motor Company and pioneer of the assembly line, revolutionizing automobile production and mass manufacturing.
Wilbur & Orville Wright: Brothers credited with inventing and building the first successful airplane.
Frederick Taylor: An engineer and management consultant, known for developing principles of scientific management, which optimized industrial efficiency.
Cornelius Vanderbilt: A wealthy industrialist who made a fortune in railroads and shipping, helping to shape America's transportation infrastructure.
Andrew Carnegie: A steel magnate and philanthropist who led the expansion of the American steel industry and donated much of his wealth to educational and cultural causes.
Henry Clay Frick: A key partner of Andrew Carnegie in the steel industry, also known for his role in labor disputes, notably the Homestead Strike.
John Pierpont Morgan: A powerful banker who helped to finance the industrialization of America and played a significant role in corporate consolidation.
Gustavus Swift: A meatpacking magnate who pioneered the use of refrigerated railcars, transforming the industry.
Isaac Singer: Inventor of the modern sewing machine, and a key figure in the development of mass production techniques.
John D Rockefeller: Founder of Standard Oil, one of the largest and most influential oil companies, known for his monopoly and later philanthropic efforts.
Herbert Spencer: A philosopher who applied Darwin's theories to social and economic issues, promoting the idea of "survival of the fittest" in society.
National Labor Union (William Sylvis): The first national labor organization in the U.S., founded to improve conditions for workers.
Molly Maguires: A secret society of Irish-American coal miners known for their violent tactics to improve labor conditions in the 19th century.
Knights of Labor (Uriah Smith Stephens → Terrence Powderly): A significant early labor organization that sought to unite workers across industries and advocate for workers' rights.
American Federation of Labor (Samuel Gompers): A major labor union that focused on securing better wages, hours, and working conditions for skilled workers.
Amalgamated Association of Iron & Steel Workers: A powerful labor union in the steel industry, known for its involvement in significant labor disputes.
Pinkerton Detective Agency: A private detective agency that became notorious for breaking up labor strikes and providing security for business interests.
American Railway Union (Eugene Debs): A labor union led by Eugene Debs, which played a major role in the Pullman Strike of 1894.
Jane Addams: A social reformer and founder of Hull House, which provided social services to immigrants and the poor in Chicago
National American Woman Suffrage Association (Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony): The leading organization advocating for women's suffrage in the U.S.
Alice Paul: A suffragist and activist who helped lead the campaign for the 19th Amendment and founded the National Woman's Party.
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (Frances Willard): A women’s organization focused on temperance (prohibition of alcohol) and women's rights.
William (Boss) Tweed: A notorious political boss in New York City known for his corrupt Tammany Hall machine.
Ulysses S. Grant: The 18th president and former Union general during the Civil War, known for his leadership in the war and later presidency, marked by scandals.
Rutherford B. Hayes: The 19th president, known for ending Reconstruction and attempting to reform civil service.
James A. Garfield: The 20th president, assassinated shortly after taking office, his death led to civil service reform.
Chester A. Arthur: The 21st president, known for advocating civil service reform after Garfield’s assassination.
Grover Cleveland: The 22nd and 24th president, known for his honesty, opposition to high tariffs, and handling of the Panic of 1893.
Benjamin Harrison: The 23rd president, known for his role in the Sherman Antitrust Act and increased military spending.
William McKinley: The 25th president, known for leading the U.S. during the Spanish-American War and his policies favoring business interests.
Stalwarts, Half-Breeds, Mugwumps: Factions within the Republican Party in the late 19th century, differing in views on patronage and civil service reform.
The Grangers/Farmer’s Alliance: Agricultural organizations advocating for political reform, particularly regarding railroad regulations.
Populist Party: A political party formed to represent the interests of farmers and laborers, advocating for monetary reform and the direct election of senators.
Mary Elizabeth Lease: A leader in the Populist movement, advocating for farmer's rights and women's suffrage.
William Jennings Bryan: A three-time Democratic presidential candidate, known for his support of silver coinage and his role in the Scopes Trial.