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Pacific Railroad Act
This act allowed the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads could oversee construction of the transcontinental railroad. The companies recieved 10 (later 20) sections of land for each mile of track. The companies recieved between $16,000-$48,000 in loans for each mile of track built. -
Period: to
1865-1900
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Freedman's Bureau
Freedman's Bureau was founded to help newly freed slaves and was created under President Lincoln. It became very weak in 1872 and was disbanded under President Ulysses S. Grant. -
Klu Klux Klan
Was founded in Pulaski, Tennessesee, by six Confederate veterans. Was disbanded in the 1870s, but later restarted. -
Civil War Ends
General Lee surrenders to Union forces in the village of Appomattax Court House. -
President Lincoln Assassination
President Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theatre by southern sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment outlaws slavery and involuntary service except as punishment for a crime. It was the first of three Reconstruction amendments. -
Tenure of Office Act
Was a federal law that was intended to restrict the power of the president of the United States to remove certain office-holders without the approval of the Senate. It was later repealed in 1887 -
Alaska Purchase
Henry Seward purchases Alaska for 7.2 million dollars from Russia. This purchase was frowned upon until gold was found years later. -
Andrew Johnson's Impeachment
This was an attempt by the radical Republicans to impeach President Johnson. The House agreed, but the Senate was one vote short of his conviction. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment gave African Americans citizenship. -
Election of 1868
This election featured Republican Ulysses S. Grant and Democratic Horatio Seymour. Ulysees S. Grant won this election because of the part he played in the Civil War. In the following years, Grant's presidency was plagued with scandals.(Credit Mobilier, Whiskey Ring, Boss Tweed, etc.) -
Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was formed 1869 and had approxiamately 800,000 member by the 1880s. Began a rapid decline after the Haymarket Riot of May 1886. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment gave the right of suffurage to all male citizens. -
Election of 1872
This election was between Republican canidate Ulysses S. Grant and Liberal Republican Horace Greeley. Grant won; however, Greeley died before the election day. Grant's second election would be about the Panic of 1873. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
This act guaranteed African Americans equal treatment in public places, transportation, and prohibited exclusion from jury service. The Supreme Court decided that this act was unconstitutional in 1883 -
Presidential Election of 1876
This election was between Republican nominee Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic nominee Samuel J. Tilden. Rutherford B. Hayes won the election and became the 19th president of the United of 1877). Rutherford B. Hayes presidency was the end of the Reconstruction period and Hayes stood behind civil reform and rights. -
Election of 1880
This election featured Republican James A. Garfield and Democratic Winfield S. Hancock. James A. Garfield, but was assassinated 200 days later. Chester A. Arthur, the vice- president became president and his presidency was based on civil reform, tariffs, and immigration. -
James A. Garfield Assassination
On July 2, 1881, President Garfield was assassinated by psycho Charles Guiteau. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Was signed by President Arthur on May 6,1882. This act suspended Chinese immigration, a ban that was intended to last 10 years. -
Election of 1884
This election was between Republican James G. Blaine and Democratic Grover Cleveland. Grover Cleveland won and became the first Demcrat to win since 1856. President Cleveland presidency was filled with numerous vetoes. -
Wabash Case
Was Supreme Court decision that severly limited the rights of states to control interstate commerce. Led to the establishment of -
Dawes Act of 1887
It was mandatory that Indians participated. As a result of this act two-thirds of all tribal land was lost between 1890-1930 -
American Protective Association
Was founded to counter Catholic influence on American culture. Democrats visciously attacked this organization until it demise in the 1890s. -
Election of 1888
It featured Democratic Grover Cleveland and Republican Benjamin Harrison; Benjamin Harrison won and became the 23rd president. When in office he was he attempted to help African Americans civil rights and the Wounded Knee Massacre occured under his administration. -
Gospel of Wealth
Andrew Carnegie writes this article to explain the role millionaires must play in society. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
This was the government's first attempt to limit cartel and monopolies. This act prohibits certain business activities that the federal government deems anticompetitive, requires government officials to investigate certain business acquisitions. -
Mckinely Tariff Act of 1890
This tariff the average duty on imports to almost 50 percent, an act designed to protect domestic industry from foreign competition. It was replaced by the Wilson- Gorman Tariff. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
This was the last battle of the American-Indian War. About 300 Indians were killed compaired to the 29 killed U.S. soldiers -
President Cleveland's 2nd Term
This election featured former Democratic president Grover Cleveland, President Harrison for the Republicans, and James B, Weaver of the newly formed Populist Party. Grover Cleveland won easily and became the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Stated that "seperate but equal" facilities were legal. -
Election of 1896
This election featured Republican William McKinley and Democrat William J. Bryan. William Mckinley won and McKinley led the nation to victory in the Spanish–American War, raised protective tariffs to promote American industry, and maintained the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of inflationary proposals. He was later assassinated in 1901.
