Key Figures
25th president of the United States
William Mckinley
True or False: The expansion west increased the hatred on both sides of the conflict between White settlers and Native Americans
True
The Gilded Age saw an increase in this form of organizations in which workers banded together for a joint cause. Many fought for more working rights, which included fewer hours and better conditions in factories, railroad work, and mining.
Unions
The Panic of 1893 caused severe payment cuts at the time and caused thousands to lose jobs or go on strike. In Chicago, Pullman cut wages but refused to lower rents in the "company town", Eugene Debs had American Railway Union refuse to use Pullman cars, Debs thrown in jail after being sued, strike achieved nothing
The Pullman Strike
This played a crucial role in connecting the two sides of the country, while providing opportunities for new ways of easily and efficiently transporting both people and goods.
The Transcontinental Railroad
Leader of the Sioux during wars of 1876-1877
Sitting Bull
Native Americans were herded here by the federal government after giving up their ancestral land for the promise of being left alone with food and clothing they were never sufficiently taken care of.
The Great Sioux Reservation
The first national organization of farmers that led to the organization of the populist party. Fought against the dominance of railroads and manufacturers
The Farmers' Alliance
Signed by McKinley in 1900 and stated that all paper money must be backed only by gold. This meant that the government had to hold large gold reserves in case people wanted to trade in their money. Also eliminated silver coins in circulation.
Gold Standard Act
These joint treaties recognized Native Americans' claims to the land, the overall rule of the U.S. government, and the locations of Indian reservations. The US promised to provide land and supplies if the Sioux promised to stop their attacks. However, US corruption caused many to not supply ample resources and discontentment grew.
The Treaties of Fort Laramie and Fort Atkinson
Leader of the Nez Percé tribe who conducted a brilliant but unsuccessful military campaign in 1877.
Chief Joseph
A group of white Christian reformists tried to bring Christian beliefs on to the Indians. Fearing the Ghost Dance, American troops were called to go with the reformist. While camped outside of an Indian reservation a gun was fired and the troops stormed the reservation killing Indian men women and children.
The Battle of Wounded Knee
More than 1 million southern black farmers organized and shared complaints with poor white farmers. By 1890 membership numbered more than 250,000. The history of racial division in the South, made it hard for white and black farmers to work together in the same organization
The Colored Farmers' National Alliance
This law, passed in 1862, stated that a settler could acquire up to 160 acres of land and pay a minimal fee of $30.00 just for living on it for five years and settling it. A settler could acquire it for only six months and pay $1.25 an acre. This was important because previously land was being sold for profit and now it was basically being given away. About half a million families took advantage of this offer. Unfortunately, it was often too good to be true and the land was ravaged by drought and hard to cultivate.
Homestead Act
Innovations like the steel plow, mechanical reaper, and barbed wire transformed farming practices. Large-scale commercial farming became dominant, especially on the Great Plains.
Mechanization of Farming
Massachusetts writer whose books aroused sympathy for the plight of the Native Americans.
Helen Hunt Jackson
1887, dismantled American Indian tribes, set up individuals as family heads with 160 acres, tried to make rugged individualists out of the Indians, attempt to assimilate the Indian population into that of the American
Dawes Severalty Act
Formed in 1892 by members of the Farmers Alliance, this group was designed to appeal to workers in all parts of the country. They favored a larger role of government in American Society, a progressive income tax, and more direct methods of democracy.
Populist Party
1890 tariff that raised protective tariff levels by nearly 50%, making them the highest tariffs on imports in the United States history
McKinley Tariff
Democrat William Jennings Bryan adopted many Populist ideas, advocating for silver coinage in his "Cross of Gold" speech. Republican William McKinley won, signaling the decline of the Populist movement but the rise of modern industrial America.
Election of 1896
Explorer and geologist who warned the traditional agriculture could not succeed west of the 100th meridian.
John Wesley Powell
A cult that tried to call the spirits of past warriors to inspire the young braves to fight. It was crushed at the Battle of Wounded Knee after spreading to the Dakota Sioux. It led to the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887.
The Ghost Dance
This group set the precedent for other groups such as the Farmers’ Alliance and the Populist party. Leading the path in education, cutting prices, political representation, and social support for farmers, this organization aimed to support the needs of those who’s living was made on agriculture in the West specifically.
The Grange
Raised tariff pushed through in 1897 by Republicans who had contributed strongly to Mark Hanna's campaign. Lobbyists raised the average rates to 46.5 percent.
Dingley Tariff Bill
A theory developed by Fredrick Jackson Turner which argues that the settlement of the American frontier was a key factor in the development of American democracy and culture. It suggested that the frontiers influence was so strong that it was an integral part of American identity.