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Homestead Act
Act to encourage settlement in the Western United States. Gave 160 acres of land to a homesteader who lived on the land for at least 5 years. This gave the right to anyone, even freed slaves, to own land, meaning it represented a huge step forward for African Americans and other people of color. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Signed by Chester A Arthur, restricted all Chinese labor immigrants from entering the United States. The Chinese had some of the highest numbers of immigrant laborers, therefore when this act was put in place, the number of new laborers drastically plummeted and jobs became less scarce for American workers. -
Pendleton Act
Caused by the assassination of James Garfield, government position awarded based on merit from exams instead of political patronage. This act marked a major turning point in the Gilded Age, because jobs now had to be earned, making the hunt for a job more difficult on the American people. -
Haymarket Square Riot
A labor protest in Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into a riot when someone threw a bomb into a squad of police. This event marked a turning point in this time period by deeming laborers and union activists as terrorists, essentially. -
Wabash v. Illinois
US Supreme Court case that limited the rights of states to control interstate commerce. This case led to the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission as well as severely limited states' rights. -
National Farmers' Alliance
Alliance replaced the Grange and issued the Ocala Demands for income tax, direct election of senators, railroad regulation, and free silver. The alliance led to change for white farmers, but faced setbacks because it did not include African American farmers. -
Wounded Knee
A massacre in 1890 that started when Sioux left the reservation in protest because of the death of Sitting Bull. The US army killed 150 Sioux at wounded knee; last major incident in the great plains. -
Coxey's Army
Protest by unemployed workers led by “General” Jacob Coxey. The protesters demanded government action to end the depression and stirred up other protests to gain the attention of the government. -
Pullman Strike
Strike led by Eugene V Debs occurred when the Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages for its workers and didn't cut rent costs. Cleveland sent federal military to break up the riot. One of the biggest turning points during the Gilded Age; possibly one of the biggest strikes led by laborers, they were shut down for blocking the delivery of U.S. Mail. -
Election of 1896
William Jennings Bryan (Democrat) for free silver and William McKinley (Republican) for the gold standard. William McKinley's victory led to the government being under primarily republican control for many years after 1896.
