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Battle of Little Bighorn
Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led a division of the 7th Cavalry Regiment toward the Black Hills. The troops were sent in preparation of a larger force in an attack against the native Sioux. At a location called Little Bighorn, however, the number of Native Americans had grown far beyond Custer's estimations, and most of his men were killed. This battle was one of many which epitomized the struggle between the Native Americans and the Federal Government. -
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 involved railroad workers across America. Workers complained of long hours with minimal pay, made all the more unfair and obvious by the increasing wealth of railroad owners. More specifically, workers' wages had been declining due to a temporary economic slump. This strike in particular holds a special place in American history, as it signaled the beginning of a new era marked by multitudes of worker strikes and the fight for workers' rights. -
Edison Researches Electricity
In a time famed for technological innovation, Edison's research into electric power and lighting marked a new chapter in life across America. A little over a year after his announcement, Edison was exhibiting the first of many power systems and electric lights. With electricity, factories and other venues could remain open long beyond the hours of daylight. Furthermore, electricity allowed advances in transportation. Both improvements led to an increase in urban development. -
Dawes General Allotment Act
In a new type of legislation, the land provided to Native Americans in the form of reservations was separated into individual homesteads. According to lawmakers, the goal was to encourage family oriented living among the Native populations. As stated in the act, land was divided by providing a certain number of acres to families and individual Native citizens. An unfortunate effect of the law left the Natives with little sovereignty over their lands. -
Edison Patents Motion Pictures
Another of Edison's many creations, the motion picture would soon have a stunning effect on American entertainment. Early films were black-and-white and did not contain matching sound recordings, but citizens still flocked to see the newest film creations. The invention of motion pictures would pave the way for the American escapism culture prevalent in the 1920s. Motion pictures also provided opportunities for citizens of different social classes to interact in everyday settings. -
The Frontier Thesis
During the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the American Historical Association listened to Frederick Jackson Turner present “The Significance of the Frontier in American History.” In his essay, Turner claimed the uniqueness of American society was encouraged by the presence of an undeveloped frontier on the American continent. At a time when the frontier was beginning to become civilized, the essay raised important questions about the future of expansion. -
Sinking of the Maine
Cuba in 1898 began a long struggle for independence from Spain. President McKenley, worrying about American interests in the conflict, ordered the battleship Maine to Havana Harbor. After a few weeks of peace, the ship exploded without warning and killed the majority of its occupants. American citizens were quick to associate the explosion with Spanish treachery and called for war with Spain. America was unable to reach a satisfying resolution and sent American troops into the fray. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris in 1898 ended the Spanish-American War. American troops were able to quickly take over most of Cuba, and a loss of leadership left the Spanish little choice but to surrender. The Treaty of Paris included America's acquisition of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. America would now have to decide on the proper policy for holding land in other areas, which led to a prolonged debate on imperialism versus independence.
