Identify the following people and Key Terms and know what impact they during this time period

• Great Plains-
• Sitting Bull-
• George A. Custer
• Assimilation
• Dawes Act
• Battle of Wounded Knee
• Homestead Act
• Bonanza Farm
• Grange
• Farmers’ Alliances
• Populism
• William Jennings Bryan

Great Plains
The Great Plains is a vast expanse of flat land in central North America. During the period of westward expansion, it became an area of significant settlement and agricultural development. The region was transformed by the introduction of irrigation, mechanized farming, and changes in land ownership practices, which significantly impacted both Native American ways of life and the emerging agrarian economy.

Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux leader and chief renowned for his resistance to U.S. government policies. He played a key role in uniting Native American tribes against the encroachment of settlers on their lands. His leadership during conflicts like the Battle of Little Bighorn made him a symbol of Native resistance and contributed to the eventual military and cultural suppression of indigenous peoples.

George A. Custer
Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer was a U.S. Army officer known for his role in the Indian Wars. His most infamous moment came at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where his forces were decisively defeated by a coalition of Native American tribes led by leaders such as Sitting Bull. This battle, often called “Custer’s Last Stand,” had a profound impact on public perception of the U.S. military campaigns against Native Americans and influenced policies in subsequent conflicts.

Assimilation
Assimilation refers to the process by which Native American tribes were pressured or forced to adopt European-American customs, language, and lifestyles. This policy aimed to integrate indigenous people into mainstream American society, often at the expense of their cultural heritage, traditional social structures, and communal land ownership.

Dawes Act
The Dawes Act of 1887 was a federal law that sought to assimilate Native Americans into American society by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments. This act broke up communal landholdings, with the surplus sold to non-Native settlers. The long-term impact was a significant loss of tribal land and erosion of traditional Native American cultural practices.

Battle of Wounded Knee
The Battle of Wounded Knee, which took place in 1890, marked a tragic and symbolic end to the Indian Wars. At Wounded Knee Creek, U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of Lakota, including many women and children. This massacre not only signified the violent suppression of Native American resistance but also symbolized the broader destruction of indigenous cultures during the period of westward expansion.

Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 provided settlers with 160 acres of public land in exchange for a small filing fee and the requirement to live on and improve the land. This act accelerated the settlement of the American West, encouraged large-scale agricultural development, and indirectly led to conflicts with Native American populations as settlers encroached upon traditional indigenous territories.

Bonanza Farm
A Bonanza Farm was a very large and industrialized farming operation that emerged in the late 19th century, especially in the Great Plains. These farms exploited new agricultural technologies and economies of scale, leading to significant changes in farming practices and the concentration of land in the hands of a few large operators. This shift had lasting effects on rural society and the structure of agricultural economics.

Grange
The Grange, formally known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was a national organization that emerged in the late 1860s to support and advocate for the interests of farmers. It provided a social and political platform to address the challenges of isolation, exploitative railroad practices, and monopolistic storage facilities. The Grange was pivotal in pushing for legislative reforms and cooperative marketing practices among farmers.

Farmers’ Alliances
Farmers’ Alliances were grassroots movements formed in the late 19th century that united farmers to collectively address economic inequalities, combat high railroad rates, and advocate for regulatory reforms. These alliances laid the groundwork for broader political movements by mobilizing rural communities to challenge existing power structures and demand federal intervention in economic matters.

Populism
Populism was a political movement that gained momentum in the late 19th century, representing the interests and grievances of farmers and working-class citizens against industrial and financial elites. It called for reforms such as the regulation of railroads, the implementation of a progressive income tax, and the expansion of the money supply (often through policies like the free coinage of silver), with the aim of restoring economic fairness.

William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was a leading American politician and orator allied with the Populist movement. Often referred to as “The Great Commoner,” he championed causes such as the free coinage of silver and broader economic reforms intended to benefit farmers and working-class individuals. His advocacy for populist economic policies significantly shaped the political landscape of the era and influenced national debates on monetary and agricultural policy.