Western Expansion 1880-1900
History

Efforts to transform Native American culture to European-American culture
Assimilation
Efforts to transform Native American culture to European-American culture. Assimilation. Assimilation is the process where one cultural group adopts the customs, values, and behaviors of another group, often losing aspects of their original culture.

A monetary standard in which the value is defined as equivalent to quantities of gold and silver
Bimetallism
A monetary standard in which the value is defined as equivalent to quantities of gold and silver. Bimetallism. Bimetallism is a historical monetary system where two metals, gold and silver, were used to set the value of money.

Very large farms established in the western US
Bonanza farms
Very large farms established in the western US. Bonanza farms. Bonanza farms were massive farms in the late 19th century that took advantage of economies of scale, often using advanced machinery and large labor forces to mass-produce crops, primarily wheat.

A trail used to drive cattle from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads
Chisholm Trail
A trail used to drive cattle from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. Chisholm Trail. The Chisholm Trail was a key route in the late 19th century for moving cattle from Texas ranches to railheads in Kansas for transport to market.

Subdividing Native American tribal landholdings into allotments of private property
Dawes Act
Subdividing Native American tribal landholdings into allotments of private property. Dawes Act. The Dawes Act was a law passed in 1887 to distribute land to individual Native Americans in an effort to assimilate them into American society.

A United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars
George A Custer
A United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. George A. Custer was a controversial figure known for his role in the Battle of Little Bighorn, where he and his men were famously defeated by Native American forces.

A fraternal organization in the US that encourages families to band together to promote economic and political well-being
Grange
A fraternal organization in the US that encourages families to band together to promote economic and political well-being. Grange. The Grange, officially known as the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was founded in 1867 to support farmers and rural communities.

A land west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains, an important part of westward expansion in the US
Great Plains
A land west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains, an important part of westward expansion in the US. Great Plains. The Great Plains is a large, flat region that was crucial for American settlement and development in the 19th century.

Laws by which an applicant could acquire ownership of government land
Homestead Acts
Laws by which an applicant could acquire ownership of government land. Homestead Acts. The Homestead Acts were laws that allowed people to claim and settle on government land to encourage westward expansion in the United States.

Land given for the purpose of establishing settlements, missions or farms
Land grant
Land given for the purpose of establishing settlements, missions, or farms. Land grant. In history, a land grant is when a government gives land to individuals or organizations to encourage development and settlement.

A range of political stances that emphasize the idea of the people against the elite
Populism
A range of political stances that emphasize the idea of the people against the elite. Populism. In history, populism often involves leaders claiming to represent the common people against a perceived corrupt or disconnected ruling class.

A Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to US government policies
Sitting Bull
A Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to US government policies. Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull was a Native American chief who bravely resisted US efforts to take over tribal lands in the late 1800s.

An agreement between the US and Indian tribes, establishing reservations & setting laws
Treaty of Fort Laramie
An agreement between the US and Indian tribes, establishing reservations setting laws. Treaty of Fort Laramie. It was a treaty in 1851 where the US recognized certain lands for Native American tribes in the Great Plains.

An American orator and politician, often called The Great Commoner
William Jennings Bryan
An American orator and politician, often called The Great Commoner, William Jennings Bryan. He was a prominent figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for advocating for populist ideas and running for U.S. President three times.