Closing the Am. West

Great American Desert: Term used in the 19th century to describe the western plains of the United States, which were seen as barren and unsuitable for settlement or agriculture. This perception changed as technology and agriculture practices improved, leading to the development of the region. Turner Thesis: Historian Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis, presented in 1893, argued that the American frontier played a key role in shaping the American character and democracy. He suggested that the frontier experience fostered individualism, innovation, and egalitarianism. Comstock Lode: A major silver deposit discovered in Nevada in 1859, leading to a mining boom in the region. The Comstock Lode was one of the richest silver strikes in American history, contributing to the growth of Nevada and the development of mining technologies. Open Range: The practice of allowing cattle to roam freely on unfenced land, typically public land, to graze. This practice was common in the western United States during the 19th century and was a key element of the cattle industry. Joseph McCoy (Abilene, KS): McCoy was a cattle trader who helped establish Abilene, Kansas, as a major railhead for the cattle industry. His efforts contributed to the growth of the cattle industry and the development of the Chisholm Trail. Vaqueros: Mexican and Spanish cowboys who played a significant role in the early cattle industry in the American West. Vaqueros were known for their skills in herding cattle and their distinctive style of horsemanship. Joseph Glidden: Inventor of the barbed wire, which revolutionized the cattle industry by allowing ranchers to fence off their land and prevent cattle from roaming freely. Barbed wire helped bring an end to the open range era. Homestead Act (1862): A law passed by Congress that offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who was willing to settle and farm the land for five years. The Homestead Act encouraged westward migration and the settlement of the American West. Sodbusters: Settlers who used plows to break up the tough sod of the Great Plains in order to farm. Sodbusters faced many challenges, including harsh weather, lack of water, and isolation. Oklahoma Land Rush (“Sooners”): In 1889, the U.S. government opened up the Oklahoma Territory for settlement. Thousands of settlers rushed in to claim land, leading to chaotic scenes. "Sooners" were those who illegally entered the territory before the official start of the land rush. Daniel Halladay: Inventor of the self-regulating windmill, which was crucial for providing water to farms and settlements in arid regions of the West. Treaties of Ft. Laramie (1851 & 1868): A series of treaties between the United States and various Native American tribes, aimed at establishing peace and defining boundaries. The treaties were often broken by the U.S. government, leading to conflict. Sioux War, 1862: A conflict between the U.S. government and the Sioux tribes in Minnesota. The war was sparked by broken treaties and unfair treatment of the Sioux, leading to violence and unrest. Sand Creek Massacre (1864) – Col. John Chivington: A brutal attack by U.S. forces on a Cheyenne and Arapaho village in Colorado. The massacre resulted in the deaths of over 150 Native Americans, mostly women and children. Little Bighorn (June, 1876): Also known as Custer's Last Stand, it was a battle between the U.S. Army, led by General George Custer, and Native American tribes, primarily the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne. The Native Americans won a decisive victory, but it ultimately led to increased military action against them. Wounded Knee, 1890: The site of a tragic confrontation between the U.S. Army and the Lakota Sioux. The massacre at Wounded Knee marked the end of armed conflict between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. A Century of Dishonor (1881) Helen Hunt Jackson: A book by Helen Hunt Jackson that exposed the injustices and mistreatment suffered by Native Americans at the hands of the U.S. government. The book helped to raise awareness of Native American issues. Dawes Act (1887): A law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by dividing reservation land into individual plots and granting citizenship to those who accepted the land. The Dawes Act resulted in the loss of millions of acres of Native American land. “Republican Era” (1869-1913): A period in American history characterized by Republican dominance in politics and a focus on industrialization, westward expansion, and economic growth. McKinley Tariff (49.5%): A tariff passed during the presidency of William McKinley that raised tariffs to their highest level in American history. The tariff was intended to protect American industries from foreign competition but led to higher consumer prices. Charles Guiteau: Assassin of President James A. Garfield in 1881. Guiteau was motivated by a delusional belief that he was owed a government position for his support of Garfield's election campaign. Pendleton Act, 1882: A law that established a merit-based civil service system in the United States, ending the practice of awarding government jobs based on political affiliation. “Free silver” vs. gold standard: A debate in the late 19th century over the monetary system of the United States. Advocates of "free silver" supported the unlimited coinage of silver to expand the money supply, while supporters of the gold standard believed that currency should be backed by gold. Currency inflation/deflation: The increase or decrease in the value of money relative to goods and services. Inflation occurs when prices rise, and the purchasing power of money decreases. Deflation occurs when prices fall, and the purchasing power of money increases. “Third Party Revolt”: Refers to the rise of third-party movements in American politics, particularly the Populist Party in the 1890s. These parties challenged the dominance of the two major parties and advocated for various reforms, such as the free coinage of silver and government ownership of railroads. Granger Movement/Alliance Movement: Grassroots movements in the late 19th century that sought to address the economic challenges facing farmers. The Granger Movement focused on organizing farmers to negotiate better prices for their crops and access to railroads. The Alliance Movement, or Farmers' Alliances, were similar organizations that advocated for political and economic reforms to benefit farmers. Populist Party (1890s) “Omaha Platform” (1892): A political party formed in the 1890s that represented farmers and laborers. The Omaha Platform was the party's platform, which called for reforms such as the free coinage of silver, a progressive income tax, and government ownership of railroads and communication systems. William Jennings Bryan: A prominent politician and orator who ran for president three times as the Democratic nominee. He is best known for his support of free silver and his famous "Cross of Gold" speech. Election of 1896: A pivotal election in American history that pitted William McKinley, the Republican candidate, against William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic and Populist candidate. McKinley won the election, marking the end of the Populist Party's influence in national politics. “Silverites” vs “Gold bugs”: Supporters of free silver were known as "silverites," while supporters of the gold standard were called "gold bugs." The debate between these two groups was a central issue in American politics in the late 19th century. “Cross of Gold” speech: A speech given by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention, in which he advocated for the free coinage of silver. The speech is famous for its passionate rhetoric and its appeal to the plight of the common man against the interests of the wealthy elite.