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Westward Expansion and Populism

Westward Expansion and Populism. Review Created By: Michael Crews. Westward Expansion. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the U.S. Populations moving west was a nearly continuous process after the War of 1812 Homestead Act 1862

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Westward Expansion and Populism

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  1. Westward Expansion and Populism Review Created By: Michael Crews

  2. Westward Expansion • The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the U.S. • Populations moving west was a nearly continuous process after the War of 1812 • Homestead Act 1862 • Allowed settlers to stake out 160 acres for a small fee • Claim holders and family must improve the land and farm it • Manifest Destiny • The general concept that Americans are ‘meant’ to inhabit and control the continent from Atlantic to Pacifc

  3. Native American Wars • Increasing pressure on the land by settlers caused conflict with Native Americans • They had used the land for many years prior • White settlers were just moving into their area and removing them in the process • Sioux Wars (Chief Sitting Bull) • Sand Creek Massacre • Federal troops kill many women and children • Little Big Horn • Custer’s last stand • federal troops destroyed by Native Americans • Other Conflicts • Nez Perce in Northwest (Chief Joseph) • Relocated to Kansas • Apaches in Southwest(Geronimo) • Wounded Knee Massacre • Aimed at stopping Ghost Dance Movement • Dawes Severalty Act (1887) • Forced Native Americans to assimilate into ‘White’ culture • Broke up tribal lands into 160 acre homesteads and forced the owners to follow American laws

  4. Populism • Farmers in the South and west devastated by high taxes • Couldn’t afford unregulated railroad costs for shipping • Formed Framers’ Alliance in late 1880’s • Developed into a political party • Campaigned for: • Unlimited cheap silver money • Government ownership of railroads and telephones • A graduated income tax • Direct election of Senators • Single-term limits for Presidents • Immigration restriction • Shorter workdays

  5. The federal government was broke • Investors had traded all of their silver for gold and depleted the federal gold reserves • Gov. had only $41 million in gold • J.P. Morgan bails out Gov. with $62 million loan • Election of 1896 • McKinley elected • Signed the Gold Standard Act (1900) • Killed Populists hopes of free silver • Economy improves • Populism dies

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