AMSCO AP US History Chapter 17 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the name given to the lands between the Mississippi and the Pacific Coast before 1860?

The Great American Desert (correct)

The Great Plains

The Midwest

The Rocky Mountains

What is the 100th meridian known for?

It is the meridian where plains west of it had few trees and received less than 15 inches of rain per year.

Why were buffalo herds essential to Native American tribes?

They provided food, clothing, and materials for shelter.

What signifies the Great Plains region?

It is located west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to mineral resources from 1848 to the 1890s?

Gold and silver strikes occurred in various western states. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the rise and fall of boomtowns in the West?

The discovery of gold and silver led to rapid population growth, which often declined once mining became unprofitable. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

It was a law prohibiting further immigration by Chinese laborers to the United States. Signup and view all the answers

Name two commercial cities that grew due to mining.

San Francisco and Denver. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the vaqueros?

They were Mexican cowboys who raised and rounded up cattle in Texas. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of cattle drives?

To move cattle from Texas to railroad towns in Kansas. Signup and view all the answers

What invention did Joseph Glidden create?

Barbed wire. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Homestead Act of 1862 offer?

160 acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for 5 years. Signup and view all the answers

What farming technique along with deep-plowing allowed settlers to survive on the Great Plains?

Dry farming. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the causes of Indian wars in the late 19th century?

The settlement of miners, ranchers, and homesteaders on American Indian lands. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Little Big Horn battle?

It was the last major battle between the U.S. Army and American Indians. Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of assimilationists regarding Native Americans?

To integrate them into American society by adopting American culture and customs. Signup and view all the answers

Who authored 'A Century of Dishonor'?

Helen Hunt Jackson. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Dawes Act of 1887 support?

The assimilation of American Indians by dividing tribal lands into individual plots. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934?

It promoted the re-establishment of tribal organization and culture. Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the end of the Indian Wars?

The Battle of Wounded Knee. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the National Grange Movement?

Social and educational assistance for farmers Signup and view all the answers

What did the system of sharecropping entail?

Agricultural labor where tenants farmed land owned by others and paid rent through a share of the crop. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson?

It upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine. Signup and view all the answers

What were literacy tests and poll taxes used for?

To prevent southern blacks from voting Signup and view all the answers

What did the Interstate Commerce Commission do?

It regulated interstate commerce and investigated discriminatory practices by railroads. Signup and view all the answers

What was the economic impact of crop price deflation after the Civil War?

It caused financial struggles for farmers as prices for crops dropped significantly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geography and Early Settlements

The Great American Desert referred to arid lands between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Coast before 1860, unsuitable for settlement due to low rainfall.
The 100th meridian, crossing near Nebraska's center, marked a significant geographical boundary, indicating dry plains with less than 15 inches of annual rainfall.
The Great Plains represents the area between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

Native American Culture and Resources

Buffalo herds were crucial for nomadic Native American tribes; from 15 million in the early 19th century, their numbers plummeted by 1900.
Great Plains tribes, including the Sioux and Cheyenne, transitioned to a hunting lifestyle reliant on horses introduced by the Spanish.

Economic Developments and Migration

The mining frontier emerged post-1848 with gold and silver discoveries, leading to rapid growth and decline of boomtowns across states like California and Colorado.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 aimed to halt immigration by Chinese laborers, reflecting tensions between native-born Americans and immigrant competition.

Agricultural Innovations and Homesteading

The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed families to claim 160 acres of free public land if they settled for five years.
Dry farming techniques, along with deep-plowing, helped settlers adapt to the Great Plains' challenging environment and achieve agricultural success.

Federal Policies and Native American Relations

The Indian Appropriation Act of 1871 ended federal recognition of tribes, negating prior treaties and intensifying conflicts, resulting in the Indian Wars.
The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed at assimilating American Indians by allotting tribal lands for individual farming, incentivizing U.S. citizenship for long-term residents.

Cultural Movements and Resistance

The Ghost Dance movement represented a spiritual response from Native Americans against U.S. domination, culminating in the deadly Battle of Wounded Knee.
Assimilationists advocated integrating Native Americans into American society through education and adopting mainstream culture.

Post-Civil War South and Economic Transition

The New South vision promoted economic diversity and self-sufficiency after the Civil War, emphasizing a shift from plantation to industrial economies, especially in steel and lumber.
Despite improvements, agriculture remained dominant, with sharecropping becoming common for both black and white farmers.

The Civil Rights Cases of 1883 indicated that Congress could not prevent private discrimination, framing the legal context for ongoing racial injustices.
Plessy v. Ferguson upheld "separate but equal" doctrine, cementing Jim Crow laws that mandated racial segregation in public facilities.

Advancements in Agricultural Practices

Booker T. Washington's efforts emphasized vocational education for African Americans, with institutions like the Tuskegee Institute focusing on self-reliance through agricultural expertise.
George Washington Carver advocated crop diversity to improve soil health and economic stability for farmers.

Agrarian Movements and Economic Hardships

The National Grange Movement of 1868 aimed at supporting farmers through cooperative businesses to reduce costs imposed by middlemen and railroads.
Economic challenges, including crop price deflation and discriminatory charges by railroads, prompted farmers to organize for better economic conditions.

Regulatory Changes and Activism

Munn v. Illinois (1877) upheld state rights to regulate businesses like railroads, while Wabash v. Illinois (1886) restricted state control over interstate commerce.
The Interstate Commerce Commission was established as the first federal regulatory body to oversee interstate trade practices.

Significant Historical Reflections

Frederick Jackson Turner asserted that the frontier experience significantly shaped American character traits like independence.
The census of 1890 marked a turning point, declaring the frontier essentially settled, signaling shifts in U.S. national identity and expansion narratives.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 17 of AMSCO AP US History. Learn about the Great American Desert and the significance of the 100th meridian in American history. Perfect for reviewing essential terms and definitions before your exam.