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Homestead Act
An act that stated that people settling in the west could apply to get land to live on. -
Farmers Reform
Farmers were having a difficult time adapting to the change that was happening in the US during the 19th century. They had little money, and the droughts left them cropless, so they tried to reform the way that things once were. -
First Transcontinental Road Completed
The first transcontinental railroad is completed. The railroad rapidly affects the ease of western settlement, shortening the journey from coast to coast, which took six to eight months by wagon, to a mere one week's trip. -
The Battle of Little Bighorn
Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men are wiped out by Sioux forces while attempting to control the Great Plains and confine all Indians to reservations. -
Arizona is admitted into the union
Arizona, the last of the 48 contiguous United States, is admitted to the Union, completing the century-long process of conquering and organizing the American West. -
Oklahoma Territory Settled
The Oklahoma territory, once set aside for Native Americans, becomes open for settlement in 1889. -
Baring Crisis
A recession that took place in 1890. One fifths of Americans lost their jobs, stock was down and gold was few and far between. Though not as severe a recession as the ones that would follow in later years it was the largest debt crisis of that century.
