Ch 16 IDs 10-14

16-14 Pacific Railway Act, 1862

1. A part of the Republican economic program during the Civil War that authorized the building of a transcontinental railroad over a northern route in order to link the economies of California and the western territories with the eastern states. 2. 1862, 19th Century, United States, during the American Civil War. 3. Railroad expansion facilitated westward expansion by providing an accessible way to settle in the West of the nation. (J.Q)

16-12 Morrill Land Grant Act, 1862

1. A part of the Republican economic program during the Civil War that consisted of a transfer of substantial public acreage to the state governments, which were to sell the land and use the proceeds to finance public education. 2. 1862, 19th Century, United States, during the American Civil War. 3. This act, which showed the first time the government became directly involved with higher education, led to the creation of many state colleges and universities, the so-called land grant institutions. Its main purpose was to promote economic development in the nation, particularly in the West. (J.Q)

16-13 Homestead Act, 1862

1. A part of the Republican economic program during the Civil war that permitted any citizen or prospective citizen to claim 160 acres of public land and to purchase it for a small fee after living on it for five years. 2. 1862, 19th Century, United States, during the American Civil War. 3. This act encouraged people to migrate and settle in the West as the government was basically giving away free land to promote westward expansion and development. (J.Q)

16-11 Morrill Tariff Act, 1861

1. A part of the Republican economic program during the Civil war that raised tariff rates to increase revenue and protect American manufacturers. 2. 1861, 19th Century, United States, during the American Civil War. 3. The passage of this initiated a Republican program of high protective tariffs to help industrialists and contributed to the Republican ambitious economic program. (J.Q)

16-10 Frederick Jackson Turner/ Turner's Frontier Thesis

1. An influential essay written by historian Frederick Jackson Turner in which he argued that 300 years of frontier experience had shaped American culture by promoting independence and individualism. 2. 1893, 19th Century, Oklahoma Territory, United States, three years after the closing of the frontier. 3. Turner argued that the frontier was a powerful social leveler, breaking down class distinctions and thus fostering social and political democracy. Also, he stated that the challenges of the frontier life caused Americans to be inventive and practical-minded, but also wasteful in their attitude toward natural resources. He was deeply troubled by the closing of the frontier as he saw the availability of free land on the frontier as a safety valve for harmlessly releasing discontent in American society. (J.Q)