Westward Expansion and Key Legislation

The belief that it was America's God-given right to expand westward across the North American continent.

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and values of the majority group.

A flat, grassy region in the middle of the US, between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.

A government policy that gave 160 acres of land to settlers for free if they lived on it and improved it for five years.

A railroad company that built the eastern portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

A railroad company that built the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

The first railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Completed in 1869 at Promontory Point, Utah.

A movement of farmers who formed their own political party to address issues like high interest rates on bank loans and expensive shipping costs on railroads.

A government policy that aimed to break up Native American reservations and force Native Americans to assimilate into white society.

The event that triggered a mass migration of people to California in search of gold, leading to rapid population growth and economic development in the West.

A group of people who share a common culture, language, and history.

Theodore Roosevelt became President after William McKinley was assassinated. He is known for his progressive policies, including the Meat Inspection Act (MIA) and Pure Food and Drug Act (PFDA) of 1906, which aimed to protect public health by regulating food safety and drug manufacturing. Roosevelt was also a conservationist, advocating for the protection of natural resources.

William Howard Taft was initially supported by Theodore Roosevelt but ended up being a one-term president. He was known for being 'stuck in the bathtub' due to his large size. However, he later became a Supreme Court Justice, a position he had always desired.

Woodrow Wilson was the US President during World War I. He initially wanted to remain neutral but ultimately led the US to victory. Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points, a plan for peace after the war, and advocated for the creation of the League of Nations. However, the US refused to join the League of Nations, demonstrating a return to isolationism.

Booker T. Washington was an advocate for racial equality and believed in vocational education for African Americans. He felt that job training would empower them economically and ultimately achieve equality.

W.E.B. Du Bois was also a champion for racial equality but believed in traditional education for African Americans. He argued that access to higher education was crucial for achieving social and political equality.

Susan B. Anthony was a prominent suffragist who fought for women's right to vote. Her tireless efforts contributed to the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was another prominent suffragist who played a key role in the fight for women's suffrage. She also championed the temperance movement, leading to the passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited alcohol.

Muckrakers were investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social problems in the early 20th century. They aimed to raise awareness about issues that were being ignored by the government and powerful corporations.

Upton Sinclair was a muckraker who wrote the novel "The Jungle." His book exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act.

Jacob Riis was a muckraker who documented the poverty and hardships faced by immigrants living in New York City tenements in his book "How the Other Half Lives." His work drew attention to the deplorable living conditions and helped to improve housing standards.

Lincoln Steffens was a muckraker who investigated and exposed political corruption in major American cities in his book "The Shame of the Cities." His work led to public outcry and reforms that aimed to improve city governance.

Thomas Nast was a political cartoonist who used his art to expose corruption and wrongdoing. He famously targeted Boss Tweed, a corrupt politician in New York City, and his cartoons helped to bring about his downfall.

Boss Tweed was a corrupt politician who served as the head of Tammany Hall, a powerful political machine in New York City. He stole an estimated $300 million from taxpayers through fraudulent contracts and other schemes. His corrupt practices were eventually exposed by Thomas Nast's political cartoons and led to his downfall.

Ida Tarbell was a muckraker and author who wrote "The History of Standard Oil." Her book exposed the monopolistic practices of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, contributing to the passing of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition.

The 16th Amendment established a direct income tax on Americans. This meant that the federal government could directly tax individuals' income, replacing reliance on tariffs.

The 17th Amendment changed the way senators were elected. Before this amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures. The 17th Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators by voters in each state.

The 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. This period is known as Prohibition. However, the amendment proved largely ineffective and was repealed by the 21st Amendment.

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. This amendment ended decades of activism and struggle for women's suffrage.

The progressive movement was a period of social and political reform in the United States that aimed to improve the lives of ordinary people. It was characterized by a focus on social justice, economic equality, and government regulation.

The Meat Inspection Act (MIA) of 1906 was a law passed by Congress that required federal inspection of meatpacking plants to ensure the safety and quality of meat products. It was a response to Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," which exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.

The Pure Food and Drug Act (PFDA) of 1906 was a law passed by Congress that prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or mislabeled food and drugs. This law helped to establish the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which continues to regulate food and drug safety today.

The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was a law passed by Congress to prevent monopolies and promote competition in the marketplace. It prohibited businesses from engaging in anti-competitive practices, such as price fixing and market manipulation. The Act was used to break up trusts and monopolies in various industries, including the oil, steel, and railroad industries.

The 14 Points were President Woodrow Wilson's proposal for a peace treaty to end World War I. The points addressed issues such as national self-determination, freedom of the seas, and the formation of a League of Nations. Although some of his points were incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles, the US ultimately refused to join the League of Nations, marking a return to isolationist foreign policy.

The League of Nations was an international organization established after World War I to promote cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The organization was based on the principles of collective security and the idea of international cooperation. However, the US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, which included the League of Nations, preventing the US from joining the organization.

Temperance is the practice of abstaining from alcoholic beverages. The temperance movement in the United States was a social movement that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol. Their efforts led to the passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.

Suffrage is the right to vote. The women's suffrage movement was a social movement that advocated for women's right to vote. Their efforts were successful with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Tenements were overcrowded apartment buildings that were often found in major cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tenements were typically located in densely populated areas, and the living conditions were often cramped, unsanitary, and dangerous. They were associated with poverty, disease, and social problems.

Political machines were political organizations that controlled local governments in major cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They would provide services to voters in exchange for their votes, such as jobs, housing, or access to social services. This system often led to corruption and the abuse of power. One example of a political machine was Tammany Hall in New York City.