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Credit Moblier
Credit Moblier was a company created to build the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1872 it was discovered the Credit Moblier bribed congressmen to gain federal subsidies for construction of the railroad. This was an important even because it showed how corrupt the government was becoming and how the companies were the real ones running the country. -
Little Big Horn
River in Montana where George Custer and the US Calvary attacked an Indian encampment. Most of Custer's forces died in battle and it was a victory for the Indians. Custer returned home extremely embarrassed. This was an important event because it was the only major battle won for the Native Americans. It also marked a turning point for the Indians because the US started to be even more forceful and aggressive towards them. -
The Great Sioux War
This was a war fought between the the US army and the tribes (Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapho) that took part in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The war ended in 1881 with the surrender of Sitting Bull. This was an important event because it marked the end of the major fighting between the native Americans and the US army. It marked a defeat for the Indians and also an estimation in discrimination against them. -
Haymarket Square
In Chicago's Haymarket Square, a labor protest (because of unsafe working conditions combined with low wages) rally turned into a riot after somebody threw a bomb at the police, killing (at least) eight people. Eight men were rounded up and accused, of which seven were sentenced to death, and the eight to fifteen years in prison. For some people, this led to a heightened anti-labor sentiment, and to others they were viewed as martyrs for a noble cause. -
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American Protective Association
Francis Bowers formed the American Protective Association in Clinton, Iowa, with the express purpose of protecting Americans from the supposed "dangers" that Roman Catholicism posed. They believed the Roman Catholics were making inroads in the government, which they eventually hoped to control, even claiming that both Grover Cleveland and William McKinley were controlled by the church. -
Dawes Severalty Act
This act, passed by Congress in 1888, divided Indian land into different sections, revoked leadership of tribe leaders, and told Indians that they could assimilate into American society if they acted as they did. Essentially it removed any semblance of culture they had and segregated them on our terms. -
Homestead Strike
Carnegie Steel made exponential advancements in technology in the 1800s that allowed for fast production in the steel industry, such as the hoists, charging machines, and buggies. With this came expanded steel production mills, and thus more laborers, who were less skilled than those of old (quantity over quality). In response to this, veteran workers went on strike to secure their historic positions. -
Pullman Strike
During the Panic of 1893, Pullman Palace Car company cut the wages of their employees significantly (while maintaining their high rent prices) in response to diminished demand of the palace cars. The strike, led by Eugene V. Debs, was the first strike to ever have federal interference, by Grover Cleveland. -
American Federation of Labor
After the Knights of Labor were dealt their killing blow at Haymarket Square, Samuel Gompers met with other craft union leaders to form the American Federation of Labor, with the interest of protecting the personal interests of the working man (despite being a diehard socialist). He served as president for every year until his death.
