abdicated abandoned
abolitionist a person who supported abolition, or the ending of slavery
absolved released
accompaniment a musical or vocal background that supports a piece of music
accumulated to increase in quantity or size over time
acknowledged to recognize; to show that something is seen or accepted
acquiesce agree
adapting to change in order to adjust to a new condition or environment
advocated to support an interest or a cause
agrarian person who favors an agricultural way of life and government policies that support agricultural interests
ally a nation that joins another nation in some common effort, such as fighting a war
American Revolution the struggle of the colonies in North America to gain their independence from Great Britain
American System a proposal to the government that called for taxes on imports, federally funded transportation projects, and a new national bank
annex to add a territory to a country. Such an addition is called an annexation.
annihilation destruction
Appomattox Court House a village in Virginia that was the site of the Confederate surrender to Union forces under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant
appropriations distributions
arbitrary with unlimited power
Articles of Confederation the first written plan of government for the United States. A confederation is an association of states that cooperate for a common purpose.
assent approval
asserted to state firmly
assimilation the process by which immigrants or other newcomers acquire the attitudes, behaviors, and cultural patterns of the society around them
authority the government or controlling power
authorized to grant permission for something
automation the process of making something automatically, by mechanical means
Bill of Rights a formal listing of the basic rights of U.S. citizens
black codes laws passed in 1865 and 1866 in the former Confederate states to limit the rights and freedoms of African Americans
blockade a closing off of an area to keep people or supplies from going in or out
boycott to refuse to buy one or more goods from a certain source. An organized refusal by many people is also called a boycott.
candid honest, open
capitalism an economic system based on the private ownership of farms and businesses
cash crop a crop, such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities and sold for profit
cash crops a crop, such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities and sold for profit
cease to stop doing something
charter a formal document issued by the king that outlined a colony’s geographic boundaries and specified how it would be governed
checks and balances the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches
civilized well organized and socially developed
civil rights the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all people as citizens, especially equal treatment under the law
civil servant an employee of the government
civil war a war between opposing groups of citizens from the same country
colony a new settlement or territory established and governed by a country in another land
Columbian Exchange the exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and people across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and the Americas
combined with others worked with Parliament
committed to agree or pledge to support someone or something
Common Sense a pamphlet published in 1776 by Thomas Paine that persuaded many American colonists to support independence
communism an economic or political system in which the government owns all property and controls economic activity
compensation payment given to someone to offset, or make up for, a loss or injury
Compromise of 1850 the agreements made in order to admit California into the Union as a free state. These agreements included allowing the New Mexico and Utah territories to decide whether to allow slavery, outlawing the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and creating a stronger fugitive slave law.
Confederacy another name for the Confederate States of America, made up of the 11 states that seceded from the Union
conform to obey established rules and patterns
confront to meet, especially in a challenge
conjured pleaded with
conquistadors Spanish soldier-explorers, especially those who conquered the native peoples of Mexico and Peru
consanguinity blood ties
conservation preservation and protection of a natural resource to prevent overuse, destruction, or neglect
constitution a written plan that provides the basic framework of a government
Constitutional Convention a meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 at which delegates from the states wrote the U.S. Constitution
constrains forces, compels
Continental army the American army during the American Revolution
contract a written agreement signed by two or more parties, which binds those parties to do what is stated in the agreement
contradiction a difference between two statements or situations that means they cannot both be true
convert to change a person’s religious beliefs so they accept a different or new religion
convulsions disturbances
coordinating to organize things or people so they work well together
corporation a business that is owned by many investors
cotton gin a hand-operated machine that cleans seeds and other unwanted material from cotton
coureurs de bois French fur trappers who learned many skills from the American Indians with whom they worked and lived
crisis a dangerous moment with a high chance of an unwanted result
crucial very important or necessary
cultural region an area in which a group of people share a similar culture and language
culture a people’s way of life, including beliefs, customs, food, dwellings, and clothing
debated to formally discuss an issue
Declaration of Independence the document written to declare the American colonies as an independent nation, free from British rule
Declaration of Sentiments a formal statement of injustices suffered by women, written by the organizers of the Seneca Falls Convention. Sentiments means “beliefs” or “convictions.”
defendant a person who is required to defend himself or herself in a legal action. An example is an accused person who is put on trial for a crime
deforestation the clearing away of forests
democracy a system of government in which the power to govern belongs to the people
democratic relating to a form of government in which people have power to rule themselves, often through elected representatives
demography the study of how populations change over time
denounces formally announces
depository storage site
deprived to withhold or take away something
derive to get from
despotism rule by a dictator
devoted to give time, money, or effort to help a person or cause
dictate to control, or order how something should be done
dictator someone who rules with absolute power, often harshly
diplomacy the art of conducting negotiations with other countries
disavow publicly condemn
discriminate to treat a person or group unfairly
discrimination unequal treatment based on a person’s race, gender, religion, place of birth, or other arbitrary characteristic
dispute a strong disagreement
dissolved disbanded, broken up
distinct noticeably different
diverse a group of people or things with obvious differences among them
divine heavenly or godlike
domestic relating to issues within a country
domesticated plants or animals that live and breed in a human environment; tame
dominated to be most noticeable within a group
double jeopardy putting a person on trial more than once for the same crime
drastically extreme or sudden
Dred Scott decision a Supreme Court decision in 1857 that held that African Americans could never be citizens of the United States and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional
due process the concept that the government must follow clear rules and act reasonably as it carries out the law
economy the way a society organizes the manufacture and exchange of things of value, such as money, food, products, and services
Electoral College the group established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president. Voters in each state choose their electors.
eloquent to express ideas or feelings in a way that is moving and well-spoken
Emancipation Proclamation an order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring slaves in the Confederate states to be free
embargo a government order that forbids trade with another country
emerging to come into existence or become more noticeable
endeavoured tried
English Bill of Rights an act passed by Parliament in 1689 that limited the monarch’s power by giving certain powers to Parliament and listing specific rights of the citizens
engrossed copied in large, clear handwriting
Enlightenment the “Age of Reason” in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized using rational thought to discover truths about nature and society.
enriched to make richer; enhance
ensure to make sure or certain
entrepreneur a person who assembles and organizes the resources necessary to produce goods and services. Entrepreneurs are willing and able to take the risks involved in starting and managing a business.
environment all of the physical surroundings in a place, including land, water, animals, plants, and climate
evident easily seen or understood
evinces shows evidence of
executive branch the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws
exert to put out effort to make something happen
exerted to put out effort to make something happen
faction a group of people within a larger group who have different ideas from the main group
federalism the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments
feminist a person who supports equality for women and men
Fifteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1870, declaring that states cannot deny anyone the right to vote because of race or color, or because the person was once a slave
finances the money that a person, company, or nation has, and how it is managed
folk art art made by ordinary people (as opposed to trained artists) using traditional methods
formidable alarming
forty-niners the people who joined the rush for gold in California in 1849
Fourteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1868, granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States and guaranteeing all citizens equal protection of the law
framework a basic set of ideas used to develop a larger plan
Freedmen’s Bureau an agency established by Congress at the end of the Civil War to help and protect newly freed black Americans
frontier unexplored wilderness at the edge of the country
fugitive a person who flees or tries to escape (for example, from slavery)
function the use or purpose of something
fundamental basic
Gettysburg Address a speech by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in memory of the Union soldiers who had died trying to protect the ideals of freedom upon which the nation was founded
globalization an increase in the flow of people, money, ideas, and trade goods across national boundaries
Great Awakening a revival of religious feeling and belief in the American colonies that began in the 1730s
Great Compromise the plan of government adopted at the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house Congress. In the House of Representatives, representation from each state is based on state population. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators.
guaranteed to make something sure or certain
habeas corpus the right of an accused person to appear in court so a judge can determine whether he or she is being imprisoned lawfully
homesteader a farmer who is given a plot of public land, or homestead, in return for cultivating it
hostility unfriendly or angry feelings or behavior
identity the group of characteristics and qualities a person uses to describe himself or herself
ignorant lacking knowledge
immigrant a person who moves from one country to another. Such a movement is called immigration.
impact to have a direct effect on a person or thing
imperialism the policy of extending a nation’s power by gaining political and economic control over other countries
impose to put in place by authority, such a law, tax, or punishment
independence freedom from control by another government or country
individualism to act based on one’s own beliefs
industrialist a person whose wealth comes from the ownership of industrial businesses and who favors government policies that support industry
Industrial Revolution the dramatic change in economies and cultures brought about by the use of machines to do work formerly done by hand
inestimable invaluable
inferior of less importance, value, or quality
ingenious an especially original, intelligent, or clever idea
inherently related to the essential or natural character of something
initial at the beginning
innovation new idea, method, or invention
insurrections rebellions
interest group an organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy
internal inside or within
interstate commerce trade and other business dealings between two or more states
intuition to know or understand based on feeling, not facts
invest to give money to a company or bank, or to buy something, in order to make a profit later
Irrigation a system for bringing water to farmland by artificial means, such as using a dam to trap water and ditches to channel it to fields
isolated separated or set apart from other people or things
isolationism a policy of avoiding political or military agreements with other countries
issuing to supply or make available
Jacksonian Democracy the idea that the common people should control the government
Jim Crow laws laws enforcing segregation of blacks and whites in the South after the Civil War
judicial branch the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws
judicial review the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional
judiciary powers courts of law
jurisdiction authority
justifiable done for a good reason
Kansas-Nebraska Act an act passed in 1854 that created the Kansas and Nebraska territories and abolished the Missouri Compromise by allowing settlers to determine whether slavery would be allowed in the new territories
kindred family relationships
knowledge worker a person whose main job is working with ideas, information, and technology
labor union an organization that brings together workers in the same trade, or job, to fight for better wages and working conditions
laissez-faire a theory that economies work best when there is minimal involvement from government
legacy a person’s or a group’s impact on future generations
legislative branch the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.
leisure time spent not working
Lewis and Clark expedition a journey made from 1804 to 1806 by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory gained in the Louisiana Purchase
liberal supporting ideas of freedom, change, and progress
liberated to free
Lincoln-Douglas debates a series of political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, who were candidates in the Illinois race for U.S. senator, in which slavery was the main issue
loose construction a broad interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that Congress has powers beyond those specifically given in the Constitution
Magna Carta an agreement made in 1215 listing the rights granted by King John to all free men of the kingdom
magnanimity generosity
majority rule a basic principle of democracy that says laws are passed by majority vote and elections are decided by a majority of the voters
manifest destiny the belief that it was America’s right and duty to spread the nation across the North American continent
manually using human effort, not electricity or other power
mass media forms of communication that reach large audiences
mass production the use of interchangeable parts and assembly lines to make large quantities of identical goods
Mayflower Compact an agreement that Pilgrims wrote and signed describing how they would govern themselves in the Americas
mercantilism an economic policy in which nations tried to gain wealth by controlling trade and establishing colonies
mercenaries hired soldiers
Mexican-American War the war with Mexico from 1846 to 1847 that resulted in Mexico ceding to the United States a huge region from Texas to California
Mexicanos Spanish-speaking people who, in the 1800s, lived in parts of the United States that previously belonged to Mexico
migrate to move from one place and establish a home in a new place. A move of a large number of people is called a migration, and the people who move are called migrants.
migrated to move from one place and establish a home in a new place. A move of a large number of people is called a migration, and the people who move are called migrants.
militarism a policy of glorifying military power, ideas, and values
militia a small army made up of ordinary citizens who are trained to fight in an emergency
missionaries people who travel to a territory or community in order to make converts to their religion
Missouri Compromise an agreement made by Congress in 1820 under which Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state
mock fake
monopoly a company that controls all production and sales of a particular product or service
Monroe Doctrine President James Monroe’s declaration in 1823 that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European colonization
morality the human sense that an idea or action is good or bad
Mormons members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830
motive a reason for doing something
mutual shared
National Grange an agricultural organization formed in 1867 and committed to the economic and political interests of farmers
nationalism devotion to a national or ethnic identity, including the desire for independence from rule by foreign countries
nativism an attitude of resentment and superiority toward foreign-born people
Nat Turner’s Rebellion a slave rebellion led by Nat Turner that took place in Virginia in 1831
naturalization becoming a citizen
natural resource useful material found in nature, including water, vegetation, animals, and minerals
natural resources useful material found in nature, including water, vegetation, animals, and minerals
natural rights rights common to everyone, as opposed to those given by law
neighbouring province Canada
neutrality a policy of not choosing sides in a dispute or war between other countries
Northwest Ordinance a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed
Northwest Territory a region of the United States bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes. The region was given to the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
nullify to refuse to recognize a federal law. This action by a state is called nullification.
obstructed blocked
offices government jobs
oppression the feeling of being weighed down or held back by severe and unfair force
Oregon Trail an overland route that stretched about 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to the Columbia River in Oregon
Parliament the lawmaking body of England, consisting of representatives from throughout the kingdom
passive not active
passport a document issued by a citizen’s home government that identifies a person and permits travel to other countries
perfidy deceit, treachery
perpetual continuing forever
persecuted to cause a person or group to suffer
petition a formal, written request made to an official person or organization
petitioned asked in writing
plantation a large area of privately owned land where crops were grown through the labor of workers who lived on the land
platform a statement of the policies favored by a political party or candidate
pogrom an organized and violent persecution of a minority group
policy a course of action taken by a government
popular sovereignty the idea that the government’s authority comes from the people
population the total number of people who live in an area, country, or region
Populist Party a political party, organized in 1892 by leaders of the Farmers’ Alliances, that supported such reforms as an eight-hour workday and government-owned railroads
procession a group of people moving in an slow, orderly way
proclaimed to announce publically
Progressive movement a social and political movement in the early 1900s that focused on improving conditions in American life
propaganda information or ideas spread by a group or government to promote its cause or ideas or to damage an opposing cause or idea
proprietor owner
prospect the chance that something will happen
prosperous wealthy
prudence common sense
pull factor an influence that draws someone to a new location
pursue to follow, as in a goal or purpose
push factor an influence that drives someone away from a location
quartering housing
quota a limit based on numbers or proportions, such as the proportion of a country’s population allowed to immigrate to the United States
racism the belief that one race is superior to another
radical relating to or supporting extreme change
rancho a land grant made by the Mexican government, used mostly for raising cattle and crops
ratify to formally approve a plan or an agreement. The process of approval is called ratification.
rebelled to fight against a government or another authority
rebellion a violent attempt to resist or overthrow the government or another authority
Reconstruction the period of time after the Civil War in which Southern states were rebuilt and brought back into the Union
rectitude righteousness
redress the righting of wrongs
reform to make change in order to bring about improvement, end abuses, or correct injustices
reformer someone who works to make change in order to bring about improvement, end abuses, or correct injustice
refugee a person who flees his or her home or country to escape war, persecution, or other dangers
regulation the enforcement of laws that control conduct or practices; for example, government regulations control the way goods, food, and drugs are produced and sold to the public
reinforced to use additional support to make something stronger
reinforcement something that increases strength with additional support
reluctant to have hesitation or an unwillingness to do something
repeal to take back, or to cancel, a law
repealed to take back, or to cancel, a law
republic a country governed by elected representatives
reservation an area of land set aside by the federal government for the use of an American Indian tribe
resolution statement of a formal decision agreed on by a group
resolved to find a solution for
resourceful good at finding ways to solve problems
restored to make something as it was before
restricted to place limits or controls on something
retain to continue to keep
revise to change in order to improve
revolt a violent action in opposition to a government or law
right a power or privilege that belongs to people as citizens and that cannot or should not be taken away by the government
Roosevelt Corollary President Theodore Roosevelt’s claim that the United States could intervene to preserve peace and order in the Western Hemisphere and protect U.S. interests
rural relating to the country, as opposed to the city
secede to withdraw from an organization or alliance
Second Great Awakening a revival of religious feeling and belief from the 1800s to the 1840s
sedition the crime of encouraging rebellion against the government
segregation the social separation of groups of people, especially by race
self-incrimination giving testimony that can be used against oneself
Seneca Falls Convention the gathering of supporters of women’s rights in July 1848 that launched the movement for women’s right to vote
separation of powers a key constitutional principle that divides the functions of government among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power
service sector the part of the economy that provides services instead of producing goods
signifies to mean or represent
slavery the treatment of people as property. People who are denied freedom in this way are said to be enslaved.
slave trade the business of capturing, transporting, and selling people as slaves
so-called commonly described as
social Darwinism the theory that people and societies compete for survival, with the fit becoming wealthy and successful while the weak struggle to survive
spiritual a religious folk song of African American origin
spirituality the belief in a force or supreme diety that impacts human life
spoils system the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs
States' Doctrine the theory that rights not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states
states’ rights theory the theory that rights not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states
status the position of a person, either socially or professionally
stereotype to characterize someone based on a group they belong to
stimulated to encourage activity or growth
strategy an overall plan, such as for winning a war
strict construction a narrow interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that Congress has only those powers specifically given in the Constitution
subsidy money or other things of value, such as land, that a government contributes to an enterprise considered to benefit the public
suffrage the right to vote
suspended temporarily stopped
sympathetic understanding or agreeing with the feelings or situation of another person
tariff a tax imposed by the government on goods imported from another country
techniques a specialized method used to achieve a desired result
technologically resulting from improvements in knowledge, equipment, or methods
temporary for a limited, often short-term, period of time
tenement a tall building with small apartments
tenure right to hold
territory a region of land; also, a region designated by Congress and organized under a governor
Texas War for Independence the 1836 rebellion of Texans against Mexican rule that resulted in Texas becoming an independent nation
The Federalist Papers a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of the ratification of the Constitution by the states
Thirteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolishing slavery in the United States
Three-Fifths Compromise an agreement made at the Constitutional Convention stating that enslaved persons would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state’s population for representation in the House of Representatives
tolerate to put up with
tradition an inherited or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior
Trail of Tears the removal of Cherokee from Georgia to Indian Territory in 1838 and 1839
transcendentalism a philosophy emphasizing that people should transcend, or go beyond, logical thinking to reach true understanding, with the help of emotions and intuition
transcontinental railroad a railroad that crosses a continent
transient passing, fleeting
trend a line of general direction or movement
trust a group of corporations that unite in order to reduce competition and control prices in a business or an industry
tundra a vast, treeless plain in the arctic regions with very cold winters, cold summers, and little rain or snow
tyranny unjust government
unalienable undeniable
Underground Railroad a secret network of free blacks and whites who helped thousands of slaves escape to free states and Canada
Union the United States as one nation united under a single government. During the Civil War, “the Union” came to mean the government and armies of the North.
unwarrantable unjustified
urban relating to cities
urbanization the growth of cities
usurpations unlawful power grabs
vague not clearly defined
violation breaking an established rule or law
vital necessary for the existence of something
voluntarily done willingly, without being forced
warrant an order from a judge that authorizes police or other officials to take a certain action, such as searching someone’s property
Washington’s Farewell Address George Washington’s parting message to the nation, given in 1796, in which he warned of threats to the nation’s future
Whiskey Rebellion a revolt by farmers in 1794 against an excise tax on whiskey
Wilmot Proviso a proposal made in 1846 to prohibit slavery in the territory added to the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War
yellow journalism the practice of publishing sensational and often exaggerated news in newspapers in order to attract readers and increase sales
abolitionist a person who supported abolition, or the ending of slavery
absolved released
accompaniment a musical or vocal background that supports a piece of music
accumulated to increase in quantity or size over time
acknowledged to recognize; to show that something is seen or accepted
acquiesce agree
adapting to change in order to adjust to a new condition or environment
advocated to support an interest or a cause
agrarian person who favors an agricultural way of life and government policies that support agricultural interests
ally a nation that joins another nation in some common effort, such as fighting a war
American Revolution the struggle of the colonies in North America to gain their independence from Great Britain
American System a proposal to the government that called for taxes on imports, federally funded transportation projects, and a new national bank
annex to add a territory to a country. Such an addition is called an annexation.
annihilation destruction
Appomattox Court House a village in Virginia that was the site of the Confederate surrender to Union forces under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant
appropriations distributions
arbitrary with unlimited power
Articles of Confederation the first written plan of government for the United States. A confederation is an association of states that cooperate for a common purpose.
assent approval
asserted to state firmly
assimilation the process by which immigrants or other newcomers acquire the attitudes, behaviors, and cultural patterns of the society around them
authority the government or controlling power
authorized to grant permission for something
automation the process of making something automatically, by mechanical means
Bill of Rights a formal listing of the basic rights of U.S. citizens
black codes laws passed in 1865 and 1866 in the former Confederate states to limit the rights and freedoms of African Americans
blockade a closing off of an area to keep people or supplies from going in or out
boycott to refuse to buy one or more goods from a certain source. An organized refusal by many people is also called a boycott.
candid honest, open
capitalism an economic system based on the private ownership of farms and businesses
cash crop a crop, such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities and sold for profit
cash crops a crop, such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities and sold for profit
cease to stop doing something
charter a formal document issued by the king that outlined a colony’s geographic boundaries and specified how it would be governed
checks and balances the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches
civilized well organized and socially developed
civil rights the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all people as citizens, especially equal treatment under the law
civil servant an employee of the government
civil war a war between opposing groups of citizens from the same country
colony a new settlement or territory established and governed by a country in another land
Columbian Exchange the exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and people across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and the Americas
combined with others worked with Parliament
committed to agree or pledge to support someone or something
Common Sense a pamphlet published in 1776 by Thomas Paine that persuaded many American colonists to support independence
communism an economic or political system in which the government owns all property and controls economic activity
compensation payment given to someone to offset, or make up for, a loss or injury
Compromise of 1850 the agreements made in order to admit California into the Union as a free state. These agreements included allowing the New Mexico and Utah territories to decide whether to allow slavery, outlawing the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and creating a stronger fugitive slave law.
Confederacy another name for the Confederate States of America, made up of the 11 states that seceded from the Union
conform to obey established rules and patterns
confront to meet, especially in a challenge
conjured pleaded with
conquistadors Spanish soldier-explorers, especially those who conquered the native peoples of Mexico and Peru
consanguinity blood ties
conservation preservation and protection of a natural resource to prevent overuse, destruction, or neglect
constitution a written plan that provides the basic framework of a government
Constitutional Convention a meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 at which delegates from the states wrote the U.S. Constitution
constrains forces, compels
Continental army the American army during the American Revolution
contract a written agreement signed by two or more parties, which binds those parties to do what is stated in the agreement
contradiction a difference between two statements or situations that means they cannot both be true
convert to change a person’s religious beliefs so they accept a different or new religion
convulsions disturbances
coordinating to organize things or people so they work well together
corporation a business that is owned by many investors
cotton gin a hand-operated machine that cleans seeds and other unwanted material from cotton
coureurs de bois French fur trappers who learned many skills from the American Indians with whom they worked and lived
crisis a dangerous moment with a high chance of an unwanted result
crucial very important or necessary
cultural region an area in which a group of people share a similar culture and language
culture a people’s way of life, including beliefs, customs, food, dwellings, and clothing
debated to formally discuss an issue
Declaration of Independence the document written to declare the American colonies as an independent nation, free from British rule
Declaration of Sentiments a formal statement of injustices suffered by women, written by the organizers of the Seneca Falls Convention. Sentiments means “beliefs” or “convictions.”
defendant a person who is required to defend himself or herself in a legal action. An example is an accused person who is put on trial for a crime
deforestation the clearing away of forests
democracy a system of government in which the power to govern belongs to the people
democratic relating to a form of government in which people have power to rule themselves, often through elected representatives
demography the study of how populations change over time
denounces formally announces
depository storage site
deprived to withhold or take away something
derive to get from
despotism rule by a dictator
devoted to give time, money, or effort to help a person or cause
dictate to control, or order how something should be done
dictator someone who rules with absolute power, often harshly
diplomacy the art of conducting negotiations with other countries
disavow publicly condemn
discriminate to treat a person or group unfairly
discrimination unequal treatment based on a person’s race, gender, religion, place of birth, or other arbitrary characteristic
dispute a strong disagreement
dissolved disbanded, broken up
distinct noticeably different
diverse a group of people or things with obvious differences among them
divine heavenly or godlike
domestic relating to issues within a country
domesticated plants or animals that live and breed in a human environment; tame
dominated to be most noticeable within a group
double jeopardy putting a person on trial more than once for the same crime
drastically extreme or sudden
Dred Scott decision a Supreme Court decision in 1857 that held that African Americans could never be citizens of the United States and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional
due process the concept that the government must follow clear rules and act reasonably as it carries out the law
economy the way a society organizes the manufacture and exchange of things of value, such as money, food, products, and services
Electoral College the group established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president. Voters in each state choose their electors.
eloquent to express ideas or feelings in a way that is moving and well-spoken
Emancipation Proclamation an order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring slaves in the Confederate states to be free
embargo a government order that forbids trade with another country
emerging to come into existence or become more noticeable
endeavoured tried
English Bill of Rights an act passed by Parliament in 1689 that limited the monarch’s power by giving certain powers to Parliament and listing specific rights of the citizens
engrossed copied in large, clear handwriting
Enlightenment the “Age of Reason” in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized using rational thought to discover truths about nature and society.
enriched to make richer; enhance
ensure to make sure or certain
entrepreneur a person who assembles and organizes the resources necessary to produce goods and services. Entrepreneurs are willing and able to take the risks involved in starting and managing a business.
environment all of the physical surroundings in a place, including land, water, animals, plants, and climate
evident easily seen or understood
evinces shows evidence of
executive branch the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws
exert to put out effort to make something happen
exerted to put out effort to make something happen
faction a group of people within a larger group who have different ideas from the main group
federalism the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments
feminist a person who supports equality for women and men
Fifteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1870, declaring that states cannot deny anyone the right to vote because of race or color, or because the person was once a slave
finances the money that a person, company, or nation has, and how it is managed
folk art art made by ordinary people (as opposed to trained artists) using traditional methods
formidable alarming
forty-niners the people who joined the rush for gold in California in 1849
Fourteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1868, granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States and guaranteeing all citizens equal protection of the law
framework a basic set of ideas used to develop a larger plan
Freedmen’s Bureau an agency established by Congress at the end of the Civil War to help and protect newly freed black Americans
frontier unexplored wilderness at the edge of the country
fugitive a person who flees or tries to escape (for example, from slavery)
function the use or purpose of something
fundamental basic
Gettysburg Address a speech by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in memory of the Union soldiers who had died trying to protect the ideals of freedom upon which the nation was founded
globalization an increase in the flow of people, money, ideas, and trade goods across national boundaries
Great Awakening a revival of religious feeling and belief in the American colonies that began in the 1730s
Great Compromise the plan of government adopted at the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house Congress. In the House of Representatives, representation from each state is based on state population. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators.
guaranteed to make something sure or certain
habeas corpus the right of an accused person to appear in court so a judge can determine whether he or she is being imprisoned lawfully
homesteader a farmer who is given a plot of public land, or homestead, in return for cultivating it
hostility unfriendly or angry feelings or behavior
identity the group of characteristics and qualities a person uses to describe himself or herself
ignorant lacking knowledge
immigrant a person who moves from one country to another. Such a movement is called immigration.
impact to have a direct effect on a person or thing
imperialism the policy of extending a nation’s power by gaining political and economic control over other countries
impose to put in place by authority, such a law, tax, or punishment
independence freedom from control by another government or country
individualism to act based on one’s own beliefs
industrialist a person whose wealth comes from the ownership of industrial businesses and who favors government policies that support industry
Industrial Revolution the dramatic change in economies and cultures brought about by the use of machines to do work formerly done by hand
inestimable invaluable
inferior of less importance, value, or quality
ingenious an especially original, intelligent, or clever idea
inherently related to the essential or natural character of something
initial at the beginning
innovation new idea, method, or invention
insurrections rebellions
interest group an organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy
internal inside or within
interstate commerce trade and other business dealings between two or more states
intuition to know or understand based on feeling, not facts
invest to give money to a company or bank, or to buy something, in order to make a profit later
Irrigation a system for bringing water to farmland by artificial means, such as using a dam to trap water and ditches to channel it to fields
isolated separated or set apart from other people or things
isolationism a policy of avoiding political or military agreements with other countries
issuing to supply or make available
Jacksonian Democracy the idea that the common people should control the government
Jim Crow laws laws enforcing segregation of blacks and whites in the South after the Civil War
judicial branch the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws
judicial review the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional
judiciary powers courts of law
jurisdiction authority
justifiable done for a good reason
Kansas-Nebraska Act an act passed in 1854 that created the Kansas and Nebraska territories and abolished the Missouri Compromise by allowing settlers to determine whether slavery would be allowed in the new territories
kindred family relationships
knowledge worker a person whose main job is working with ideas, information, and technology
labor union an organization that brings together workers in the same trade, or job, to fight for better wages and working conditions
laissez-faire a theory that economies work best when there is minimal involvement from government
legacy a person’s or a group’s impact on future generations
legislative branch the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.
leisure time spent not working
Lewis and Clark expedition a journey made from 1804 to 1806 by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory gained in the Louisiana Purchase
liberal supporting ideas of freedom, change, and progress
liberated to free
Lincoln-Douglas debates a series of political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, who were candidates in the Illinois race for U.S. senator, in which slavery was the main issue
loose construction a broad interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that Congress has powers beyond those specifically given in the Constitution
Magna Carta an agreement made in 1215 listing the rights granted by King John to all free men of the kingdom
magnanimity generosity
majority rule a basic principle of democracy that says laws are passed by majority vote and elections are decided by a majority of the voters
manifest destiny the belief that it was America’s right and duty to spread the nation across the North American continent
manually using human effort, not electricity or other power
mass media forms of communication that reach large audiences
mass production the use of interchangeable parts and assembly lines to make large quantities of identical goods
Mayflower Compact an agreement that Pilgrims wrote and signed describing how they would govern themselves in the Americas
mercantilism an economic policy in which nations tried to gain wealth by controlling trade and establishing colonies
mercenaries hired soldiers
Mexican-American War the war with Mexico from 1846 to 1847 that resulted in Mexico ceding to the United States a huge region from Texas to California
Mexicanos Spanish-speaking people who, in the 1800s, lived in parts of the United States that previously belonged to Mexico
migrate to move from one place and establish a home in a new place. A move of a large number of people is called a migration, and the people who move are called migrants.
migrated to move from one place and establish a home in a new place. A move of a large number of people is called a migration, and the people who move are called migrants.
militarism a policy of glorifying military power, ideas, and values
militia a small army made up of ordinary citizens who are trained to fight in an emergency
missionaries people who travel to a territory or community in order to make converts to their religion
Missouri Compromise an agreement made by Congress in 1820 under which Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state
mock fake
monopoly a company that controls all production and sales of a particular product or service
Monroe Doctrine President James Monroe’s declaration in 1823 that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European colonization
morality the human sense that an idea or action is good or bad
Mormons members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830
motive a reason for doing something
mutual shared
National Grange an agricultural organization formed in 1867 and committed to the economic and political interests of farmers
nationalism devotion to a national or ethnic identity, including the desire for independence from rule by foreign countries
nativism an attitude of resentment and superiority toward foreign-born people
Nat Turner’s Rebellion a slave rebellion led by Nat Turner that took place in Virginia in 1831
naturalization becoming a citizen
natural resource useful material found in nature, including water, vegetation, animals, and minerals
natural resources useful material found in nature, including water, vegetation, animals, and minerals
natural rights rights common to everyone, as opposed to those given by law
neighbouring province Canada
neutrality a policy of not choosing sides in a dispute or war between other countries
Northwest Ordinance a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed
Northwest Territory a region of the United States bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes. The region was given to the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
nullify to refuse to recognize a federal law. This action by a state is called nullification.
obstructed blocked
offices government jobs
oppression the feeling of being weighed down or held back by severe and unfair force
Oregon Trail an overland route that stretched about 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to the Columbia River in Oregon
Parliament the lawmaking body of England, consisting of representatives from throughout the kingdom
passive not active
passport a document issued by a citizen’s home government that identifies a person and permits travel to other countries
perfidy deceit, treachery
perpetual continuing forever
persecuted to cause a person or group to suffer
petition a formal, written request made to an official person or organization
petitioned asked in writing
plantation a large area of privately owned land where crops were grown through the labor of workers who lived on the land
platform a statement of the policies favored by a political party or candidate
pogrom an organized and violent persecution of a minority group
policy a course of action taken by a government
popular sovereignty the idea that the government’s authority comes from the people
population the total number of people who live in an area, country, or region
Populist Party a political party, organized in 1892 by leaders of the Farmers’ Alliances, that supported such reforms as an eight-hour workday and government-owned railroads
procession a group of people moving in an slow, orderly way
proclaimed to announce publically
Progressive movement a social and political movement in the early 1900s that focused on improving conditions in American life
propaganda information or ideas spread by a group or government to promote its cause or ideas or to damage an opposing cause or idea
proprietor owner
prospect the chance that something will happen
prosperous wealthy
prudence common sense
pull factor an influence that draws someone to a new location
pursue to follow, as in a goal or purpose
push factor an influence that drives someone away from a location
quartering housing
quota a limit based on numbers or proportions, such as the proportion of a country’s population allowed to immigrate to the United States
racism the belief that one race is superior to another
radical relating to or supporting extreme change
rancho a land grant made by the Mexican government, used mostly for raising cattle and crops
ratify to formally approve a plan or an agreement. The process of approval is called ratification.
rebelled to fight against a government or another authority
rebellion a violent attempt to resist or overthrow the government or another authority
Reconstruction the period of time after the Civil War in which Southern states were rebuilt and brought back into the Union
rectitude righteousness
redress the righting of wrongs
reform to make change in order to bring about improvement, end abuses, or correct injustices
reformer someone who works to make change in order to bring about improvement, end abuses, or correct injustice
refugee a person who flees his or her home or country to escape war, persecution, or other dangers
regulation the enforcement of laws that control conduct or practices; for example, government regulations control the way goods, food, and drugs are produced and sold to the public
reinforced to use additional support to make something stronger
reinforcement something that increases strength with additional support
reluctant to have hesitation or an unwillingness to do something
repeal to take back, or to cancel, a law
repealed to take back, or to cancel, a law
republic a country governed by elected representatives
reservation an area of land set aside by the federal government for the use of an American Indian tribe
resolution statement of a formal decision agreed on by a group
resolved to find a solution for
resourceful good at finding ways to solve problems
restored to make something as it was before
restricted to place limits or controls on something
retain to continue to keep
revise to change in order to improve
revolt a violent action in opposition to a government or law
right a power or privilege that belongs to people as citizens and that cannot or should not be taken away by the government
Roosevelt Corollary President Theodore Roosevelt’s claim that the United States could intervene to preserve peace and order in the Western Hemisphere and protect U.S. interests
rural relating to the country, as opposed to the city
secede to withdraw from an organization or alliance
Second Great Awakening a revival of religious feeling and belief from the 1800s to the 1840s
sedition the crime of encouraging rebellion against the government
segregation the social separation of groups of people, especially by race
self-incrimination giving testimony that can be used against oneself
Seneca Falls Convention the gathering of supporters of women’s rights in July 1848 that launched the movement for women’s right to vote
separation of powers a key constitutional principle that divides the functions of government among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power
service sector the part of the economy that provides services instead of producing goods
signifies to mean or represent
slavery the treatment of people as property. People who are denied freedom in this way are said to be enslaved.
slave trade the business of capturing, transporting, and selling people as slaves
so-called commonly described as
social Darwinism the theory that people and societies compete for survival, with the fit becoming wealthy and successful while the weak struggle to survive
spiritual a religious folk song of African American origin
spirituality the belief in a force or supreme diety that impacts human life
spoils system the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs
States' Doctrine the theory that rights not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states
states’ rights theory the theory that rights not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states
status the position of a person, either socially or professionally
stereotype to characterize someone based on a group they belong to
stimulated to encourage activity or growth
strategy an overall plan, such as for winning a war
strict construction a narrow interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that Congress has only those powers specifically given in the Constitution
subsidy money or other things of value, such as land, that a government contributes to an enterprise considered to benefit the public
suffrage the right to vote
suspended temporarily stopped
sympathetic understanding or agreeing with the feelings or situation of another person
tariff a tax imposed by the government on goods imported from another country
techniques a specialized method used to achieve a desired result
technologically resulting from improvements in knowledge, equipment, or methods
temporary for a limited, often short-term, period of time
tenement a tall building with small apartments
tenure right to hold
territory a region of land; also, a region designated by Congress and organized under a governor
Texas War for Independence the 1836 rebellion of Texans against Mexican rule that resulted in Texas becoming an independent nation
The Federalist Papers a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of the ratification of the Constitution by the states
Thirteenth Amendment a change to the Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolishing slavery in the United States
Three-Fifths Compromise an agreement made at the Constitutional Convention stating that enslaved persons would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state’s population for representation in the House of Representatives
tolerate to put up with
tradition an inherited or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior
Trail of Tears the removal of Cherokee from Georgia to Indian Territory in 1838 and 1839
transcendentalism a philosophy emphasizing that people should transcend, or go beyond, logical thinking to reach true understanding, with the help of emotions and intuition
transcontinental railroad a railroad that crosses a continent
transient passing, fleeting
trend a line of general direction or movement
trust a group of corporations that unite in order to reduce competition and control prices in a business or an industry
tundra a vast, treeless plain in the arctic regions with very cold winters, cold summers, and little rain or snow
tyranny unjust government
unalienable undeniable
Underground Railroad a secret network of free blacks and whites who helped thousands of slaves escape to free states and Canada
Union the United States as one nation united under a single government. During the Civil War, “the Union” came to mean the government and armies of the North.
unwarrantable unjustified
urban relating to cities
urbanization the growth of cities
usurpations unlawful power grabs
vague not clearly defined
violation breaking an established rule or law
vital necessary for the existence of something
voluntarily done willingly, without being forced
warrant an order from a judge that authorizes police or other officials to take a certain action, such as searching someone’s property
Washington’s Farewell Address George Washington’s parting message to the nation, given in 1796, in which he warned of threats to the nation’s future
Whiskey Rebellion a revolt by farmers in 1794 against an excise tax on whiskey
Wilmot Proviso a proposal made in 1846 to prohibit slavery in the territory added to the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War
yellow journalism the practice of publishing sensational and often exaggerated news in newspapers in order to attract readers and increase sales