APUSH Unit 6 Terms

Homestead Act (1862)

A law that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they lived on and improved the land for at least five years. It encouraged westward expansion.

Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

A violent clash between the U.S. Army and Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek, resulting in the deaths of over 250 Native Americans. It marked the end of armed Native American resistance to U.S. expansion.

Dawes Severalty Act (1887)

Legislation aimed at assimilating Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments. It undermined tribal culture and led to significant loss of Native American land.

Turner’s Frontier Thesis (1893)

Historian Frederick Jackson Turner argued that the American frontier was a key factor in shaping the nation’s character, democracy, and culture.

Andrew Carnegie

An industrialist who led the expansion of the steel industry in the late 19th century. Known for his philanthropy and the concept of the "Gospel of Wealth."

John D. Rockefeller

The founder of Standard Oil and a leading figure in the oil industry. He used monopolistic practices to dominate the market and was one of the wealthiest men in history.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

A Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal."

Robber Barons

A term used to describe wealthy industrialists of the Gilded Age who were perceived as using unethical methods to amass wealth.

Social Darwinism

A belief that the principles of natural selection and survival of the fittest applied to human society, often used to justify economic inequality and imperialism.

Gospel of Wealth

An essay by Andrew Carnegie promoting the idea that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their riches to improve society.

Horatio Alger Myth

The idea, popularized through the stories of Horatio Alger, that anyone can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

A federal law banning Chinese immigration to the U.S., reflecting widespread anti-Chinese sentiment and racism.

Political Bosses & Machines

Organizations led by political bosses that controlled local governments by trading services for votes, often through corrupt practices.

Patronage

The practice of awarding government jobs and favors to political supporters, contributing to corruption in politics.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

A nationwide strike of railroad workers protesting wage cuts. It led to violent clashes with authorities and highlighted labor unrest in the Gilded Age.

Knights of Labor

A labor organization that advocated for broad social reforms, including the eight-hour workday and equal pay for all workers, but declined after the Haymarket Bombing.

Haymarket Bombing (1886)

A labor protest in Chicago that turned violent when a bomb exploded, killing police officers and protesters. It led to a crackdown on labor movements.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A labor union founded by Samuel Gompers that focused on practical economic goals, such as wages and working conditions, for skilled workers.

Homestead Strike (1892)

A violent labor strike at Carnegie Steel's Homestead plant. It resulted in a clash between workers and private security, highlighting tensions between labor and management.

Pullman Strike (1894)

A nationwide railroad strike triggered by wage cuts and high rents in Pullman-owned housing. It was broken by federal troops, leading to deaths and further labor unrest.

National Grange Movement

A farmers’ organization that sought to address the economic and political challenges faced by rural communities, including railroad monopolies.

Wabash Case (1886)

A Supreme Court decision that limited state regulation of railroads and led to the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Farmers Alliance

An organization that advocated for farmers' economic and political interests, including cooperative buying and selling.

Pendleton Act (1881)

A law that established a merit-based system for federal employment and aimed to reduce patronage and corruption.

Interstate Commerce Act (1886)

Legislation that regulated the railroads to ensure fair rates and practices, creating the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

A federal law aimed at curbing monopolies and anti-competitive practices. It was initially ineffective but became a foundation for antitrust enforcement.

McKinley Tariff (1890)

A law that raised tariffs to protect American industries, but it also led to higher consumer prices and backlash against Republicans.

Panic of 1893

A severe economic depression triggered by railroad bankruptcies, bank failures, and a stock market crash, leading to widespread unemployment and hardship.

Coxey’s Army (1894)

A protest march by unemployed workers, led by Jacob Coxey, demanding public works programs to create jobs during the Panic of 1893.