STAAR GLOSSARY
Use this glossary to help you prepare for your comprehensive vocabulary exam and study to review for
the STAAR test.
*DATES TO REMEMBER:
1607 Jamestown, Virginia (in south) becomes 1st permanent English
settlement in North America
1620 Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, sign Mayflower Compact establishing selfgovernment
1776 Declaration of Independence is written announcing the creation of the United States
1787 U.S. Constitution is written establishing a republican form of government
which included the three branches and seven principles
1803 Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the nation
1861-1865 Civil War breaks out over the rights of states dividing the United States
into the Union of the Northern states and the Confederacy of the South.
*COLONIZATION: a major era of U.S. History when England was claiming portions of North
America by establishing permanent settlements along the Atlantic Coast. Began (for the
purposes of this class) in 1607 with the establishment of the first permanent English
settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Spain colonized the southwestern part of North America
using the mission system while France colonized the central region along the Mississippi
River valley.
HISTORY
Jamestown, Virginia - first permanent English settlement in North America in 1607 by
members of a joint stock company - the Virginia Company. They came for economic reasons to find gold and make money.
Plymouth– colony founded by Separatists in 1620 (people who wanted religious freedom from
the Church of England) in Massachusetts (New England); the pilgrims.
PEOPLE
Thomas Hooker – settled Hartford and thus established colony of Connecticut in 1600s;
inspired 1st written constitution in America Fundamental Orders of Connecticut; preacher,
minister who believed in Christian suffrage.
Ann Hutchinson – Puritan woman who was forced to leave Massachusetts for being a woman
who taught Bible study in her house and for disagreeing with the Puritan leadership of the
colony.
Pocahontas – a Powhatan girl who helped the colonists at Jamestown survive, was
kidnapped to prevent war with her tribe, and ended up becoming a Christian, marrying John
Rolfe, and dying in England.
William Penn– founder of Pennsylvania who promoted religious tolerance to all who settled
there helping to establish religious freedom within a form of self government. A Quaker.
John Smith – Soldier and Jamestown leader who helped colony survive by insisting all
colonists worked for their food.
Roger Williams – Puritan man who was forced to leave Massachusetts for disagreeing with
the Puritan leadership; left and founded Rhode Island and became a Baptist.
John Winthrop – Puritan leader and Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor for over 12 years
whose vision was to build a Puritan “city upon a hill” that would inspire the growth of the
Puritan religion across and beyond the New England region. Puritans came in the Great
Migration to build a strict religious society based upon the Bible; settled Massachusetts Bay
Colony; responsible for Salem Witch Trials.
GEOGRAPHY & REGIONS
Southern Colonies - Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland all established
plantation systems to raise cash crops because of the hot summer climate, the rich soil, and
the longer growing summer season. Slavery began here.
New England – Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire all
established an economy based on shipping, lumber, whaling, and the fishing industry due to
the cold climate, the rocky soil, and the shorter growing season.
Middle Colonies – New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware were the most
diverse and tolerant of the colonies. Their climate included warm summers that enabled them
to grow grains like oats and be the “bread basket” for the colonies. Our first cities bloomed
here.
GOVERNMENT & DOCUMENTS
House of Burgesses - 1st representative assembly in 13 colonies - located in colonial
Virginia. Burgess is another name for legislator or representative.
Town Meetings – method for making decisions in New England; people would come together
and vote on issues; first form of direct democracy in America.
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - 1st constitution drafted in 13 colonies that created a
representative government and gave its citizens free speech.
Mayflower Compact– a 1620 agreement for ruling the Plymouth Colony, signed by the
pilgrims before landing at Plymouth - established the idea that each man has an equal vote
regardless of status in society or riches/property.
ECONOMICS
Joint-Stock Company– business in which investors pool their wealth in order to turn a profit.
Settled Jamestown.
Mercantilism - theory that a nation’s economic strength came from protecting and increasing
its home economy by keeping strict control over its colonial trade - reason England believed
American colonists should only buy goods from England.
Imports - trade products brought into a country
Exports - trade products sent to markets outside a country.
Indentured Servant - person who agreed to work without wages for a period of time in
exchange for passage to the colonies; in US history, the poor from England.
Slave - in US history, a person who was forced to leave Africa, travel the Middle Passage,
and then become the property of another for life.
Cash Crop - crop sold for money at market originally tobacco, sugar, rice, and indigo
from plantations in the South, later cotton became main crop of South.
Plantation System - agricultural system of large farms that raised cash crops like
cotton and tobacco and was dependent upon slavery for its livelihood.
Triangular Trade - colonial trade route between New England, the West Indies, and
Africa that traded slaves for rum and molasses.
*REVOLUTION: a major era in US history in which war eventually broke out between the American
colonists and Great Britain (England) over taxation without representation; won by the Americans,
creating our nation the United States of America with the approval of the Declaration of Independence
in 1776.
Militia
HISTORY
(7 Years War) – 1754-1763 between England and its colonies AGAINST the French
and most Indian tribes…led to the end of French power in North America with Treaty
of Paris of 1763 – caused Great Britain a huge debt which led to taxation of the
colonies
Volunteer army of citizens who serve as soldiers during emergencies
Minutemen
Colonial militia who was prepared to fight at a minute’s notice
French and
Indian War
Letter writing campaign that became major tool of protest in the colonies
Committees of
Correspondence
1770 conflict between British soldiers and colonists in which 5 unarmed colonists
Boston
were killed including Crispus Attucks, an African American living in Boston
Massacre
Sons of Liberty
Led by Sam Adams, group of colonists who formed secret society to oppose British
policies and promote American independence
Boston Tea
Party
Colonial reaction to Tea Act; Sons of Liberty, dressed as Mohawks, dumped British
East India tea in Boston harbor.
Albany Plan of
Union
Writs of
Assistance
Parliament
Franklin’s idea for colonies to “join or die” to fight French first in French and Indian
War which became a motto of the Revolution.
Gave British officials and soldiers power to search ships without a warrant or cause
Unalienable
rights
Boycott
Taxation
without
representation
Great Britain’s legislative branch of government; consists of two houses; responsible
for passing the laws that the colonists protested such as Stamp Act.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as quoted from the Declaration of
Independence
Organized refusal to buy goods of a particular type
Main complaint of colonists against British mercantilism and economic policies after
French and Indian War; main reason for American Revolution
BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTION




Lexington/Concord – 1st battle; Concord called “shot heard around the world.”
Valley Forge – Pennsylvania winter camp for troops where they endured hunger and suffering
especially in 1777-1778 (NOT A BATTLE)
Saratoga – turning point battle of Revolution; American victory convinced France to enter war to
help colonists; in New York
Yorktown – final battle; in Virginia; Cornwallis surrenders
GOVERNMENT & DOCUMENTS
 Common Sense – Thomas Paine pamphlet that urged colonists to seek independence, inspiration for
Jefferson in writing “Declaration of Independence.”
 Declaration of Independence – Created the United States of America; explained reasons to separate
from Great Britain; adopted by 2nd Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776 written by Thomas
Jefferson who was influenced by John Locke’s idea of social contract and the natural rights of life,
liberty, and property and styled his writing in the form of William Blackstone’s Commentaries which
explained English common law in simple language, easily understood by everyday people.
 Articles of Confederation – 1st Constitution of the United States; established confederate type of
government giving each state an equal vote about any decision made by nation. Each colony had one
equal vote in the government and its decisions during the Revolution
 Treaty of Paris of 1783 – Peace treaty at end of American Revolution; Great Britain agreed to
recognize the United States as an independent nation.
 First Continental Congress – in 1774, meeting in Philadelphia of delegates from 12
colonies in which the colonies starting working together to protest British policies toward
the colonies.
 Second Continental Congress - 1776 meeting in Philadelphia of delegates from 12
colonies in which they DECLARED THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
PEOPLE
Sam Adams – leader of Sons of Liberty a huge advocate of independence from Great Britain;
cousin of John
Abigail Adams – wife of John Adams who supported equality for women in education and the
right to vote.
John Adams – although he advocated independence from Great Britain, he defended the soldiers
put on trial for the Boston Massacre because he believed everyone had a right to a fair trial and a
proper defense; cousin of Sam
James Armistead – slave who was “lent” to the fight during the Revolution who ended up being a
double agent providing vital information to Marquis de Lafayette and bringing about the victory at
Yorktown
Wentworth Cheswell – Founding father and supporter of independence from New Hampshire, an
African American, born to a white mother and a free black; instrumental in defense of New
Hampshire including a midnight ride much like the one Paul Revere took; 1 st African American to
be elected to public office in America.
Committees of Correspondence – letter writing campaign that became a major tool of protest
and communication between and by the colonists
General/Lord Cornwallis – British Commander during American Revolution; surrendered at
Yorktown
Benjamin Franklin – printer, author of “Poor Richard’s Almanac, served on the writing committee
for the Declaration, inventor of bifocal eyeglasses, Franklin stove and Franklin rocker, discovered
of several principles of electricity, and first ambassador to France; active during three major eras
of US history
Bernardo de Galvez - Spanish commander who maneuvered Spanish navy in Gulf of
Mexico to prevent Great Britain’s navy from landing and attacking colonies from south;
Galveston is named after him.
Nathan Hale – “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Spoken moments before
being hung by the British as a spy during the Battle of New York.
Patrick Henry – “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” spoken before the Virginia assembly to
argue for a declaration of independence from Great Britain.
Thomas Jefferson – delegate from Virginia who was the author of the Declaration of
Independence
John Paul Jones – Father of the American Navy who said, “I have not yet begun to fight” as he
attacked mainland Great Britain (England) during war.
King George III - King of Great Britain leading up to and during the American Revolution.
Marquis de Lafayette – French soldier who aided the Americans in the fight for independence
from Great Britain; helped bring about victory at Yorktown.
Thomas Paine - wrote the pamphlet, “Common Sense”, which encouraged Americans to fight for
independence from Great Britain and authored “The Crisis” which was read to Washington’s
troops to inspire them during the Revolutionary War.
Paul Revere – famous silversmith and member of Sons of Liberty who helped warn the colonists
that the British were marching towards Concord. He was arrested before he reached Concord
with the news.
Haym Salomon – New York Jew of Spanish and Portuguese descent who used his own money to
finance the Continental Army during the American Revolution
Sons of Liberty – a group of colonists who formed a secret society to oppose British policies at
the time of the American Revolution.
Mercy Otis Warren – friend of Abigail Adams who wrote plays to support the move for
independence in Massachusetts
George Washington – at 22, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia. He fought
with British forces against the French in the French and Indian War. His leadership during this
war leads many Americans to respect him.
*CONSTITUTIONAL/NEW GOVERNMENT/NEW REPUBLIC: A major era in US history
which began in 1787 with the Constitutional Convention/ Philadelphia Convention and
established our Constitution and republican system of government. It includes the first five
presidents, their domestic and foreign policies and the first years of our nation’s history
under the Constitution.
HISTORY & DOCUMENTS
Articles of Confederation – first American constitution, passed in 1777, which created a
loose league of 13 independent states and governed the nation during the Revolution.
Constitutional Convention 1787 – meeting of the states in Philadelphia originally to revise
the Articles of Confederation BUT ended up creating the constitution of the United States
which is still in effect today. Plans and compromises made at the convention listed below:
New Jersey
Created a government with one legislature made up of the states, each with 1
Plan
vote; gave taxing authority to national government
Virginia Plan
Created a government with (bicameral) two legislatures based on population
Great
Created the representative government we have today with one house
Compromise
chosen by population, the other with equal representation for each state;
3/5
agreement at the Constitutional Convention that three fifths of the slaves in any
(Three/Fifths) state be counted in its population for representation and taxing purposes.
Compromise
Northwest Ordinance and Ordinance of 1787– two 1787 laws that set up a government for the
Northwest Territory, guaranteed basic rights to settlers, and outlawed slavery there. Also
established a way for territories to become equal states - an orderly way to grow.
United States Constitution – the rulebook for the United States government.
Preamble – the introduction to the US Constitution "We the people in order to form a more perfect
union establish justice…"
Amendment – change or addition to a law - to amend is to change. To change the Constitution
and add an amendment, 2/3 of Congress must propose it, then ¾ of the states must approve it.
Bill of Rights – first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.
Ratify – to approve
Precedent – establishing a pattern or legal understanding for people in the future to follow;
George Washington set several during his presidency
Federalist Papers – newspaper articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison, and John Jay (although at the time, writings were anonymous under the name of
Publius) that promoted acceptance/ratification of the US Constitution; very organized plan to
explain how Constitutional republic was best form of government with checks and balances,
separation of powers, a 1-man executive, and no need for a Bill of Rights.
Anti-Federalist Papers – series of articles written with no organization plan by separate people
who believed that the Constitution created a too powerful government and needed a Bill of Rights;
written to oppose the state’s ratification of the Constitution by people like Patrick Henry, Mercy
Otis Warren, & James Wilson
PEOPLE involved in Constitutional Convention
Anti-Federalists – Opponents of a strong, national government and the Constitution; preferred states
having equal power in decision making process and limited government; Their opposition led to the
creation of our Bill of Rights to protect individual rights. Later called “Democratic Republicans,” one of
our first two political parties led by Thomas Jefferson
Federalists – Supporters of the Constitution who favored strong national government; one of our first
two political parties led by Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton, Alexander – New York delegate at the Constitutional Convention and main supporter of
Constitution, wrote most of The Federalist Papers, a Federalist who served as the 1st Secretary of the
Treasury under President Washington, created the 1st Bank of the United States and the nation’s
financial system, leader of Federalist Party.
Mason, George – Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention who opposed the
Constitution without its having a Bill of Rights, 1st Anti-Federalist; helped get the Bill of
Rights added to the Constitution.
CONSTITUTION AT WORK
ENGLISH TRADITIONS AND INFLUENTIAL DOCUMENTS
*Important because of their influence on our own leaders and system of self and limited government
 Magna Carta – 1215 document in ENGLAND; 1st one to ever limit power of king; gave people
right to trial by jury; gave legislature power to tax instead of king
 English Bill of Rights – 1689 document in ENGLAND that guaranteed basic rights to
Englishmen
 Rule of Law – principle believed by English that laws supercede any actions by individuals or
armies; written about by William Blackstone in simple, easy-to-understand language.
 Social contract/limited government/natural rights – Philosophy written about by John Locke
 Separation of Powers – philosophy written about by Charles Montesquieu
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE – president and cabinet…this branch ADMINISTERS/ENFORCES the law
1.
Checks on Congress by: Veto
2.
Checks on Court by: Appointing Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges
JUDICIAL – Supreme Court…this branch INTERPRETS the fairness of the
Law according to the Constitution.
1.
Checks on Congress by: declaring acts unconstitutional.
2.
Checks on President by: declaring acts unconstitutional
LEGISLATIVE – Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate)…this
branch WRITES the law
1.
Checks on President by: ability to impeach President, overriding his/her
veto by a 2/3 vote, approves budget and treaties.
2.
Checks on Court by: ability to impeach federal justices, refuse
confirmation of judicial appointments, proposing amendments
SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
Principle
Description
Limited
Government
Government can ONLY do
what Constitution says
Republicanism
The people elect
representatives to make the
decisions of government
Popular
Sovereignty
The people are the final
authority in government
deciding who rules and
what’s allowed.
Federalism
Symbol
L aw Over
G overnment
P
S 
Examples
The 10th amendment gives powers
to the people and states that aren’t
given to national government
;public schools
Citizens vote in elections and
choose the people they feel will
represent them the best in
government
The people in Kansas and
Nebraska could decide whether or
not to allow slavery through an
election
Power to rule is divided
between the federal and
state governments BUT with
the federal government
having final authority
The federal government is
divided into and balanced by
3 different branches, each
with clearly defined powers
and responsibilities
Congress proposes amendments
but the states have final approval
Checks &
Balances
System in constitution of
giving each branch certain
ways to hold the other
branches accountable for
their actions.
Congress passes a law that the
President can sign or veto; the
President appoints the justices of
the Supreme Court with the
Senate’s approval
Individual Rights
Liberties and freedoms
guaranteed to the people
and protected by the
government
The Bill of Rights and subsequent
amendments protect individual and
natural rights of the people.
Separation of
Powers
The legislative branch makes the
law; the exeuctive carries out and
administers the law; the judicial
interprets the laws.
COURT CASES
Marbury v
Established judicial review or power
Madison
of Supreme Court to rule a law
unconstitutional
McCullough Established the “implied” powers –
v Maryland federal government has more
powers than what’s written
Worcester
Cherokee and all Indian tribes are
v Georgia
sovereign and do not have to
submit to state laws
Gibbons v
Federal government has authority
Ogden
to regulate interstate commerce,
trade between states
PRESIDENTS DURING EARLY YEARS OF NATION
Bill of Rights
First Ten Amendments to Constitution
1 speech, press, religion,
assembly, petition
2 bear arms, militias
3 no quartering in peacetime
4 search and seizure
5 due process; self incrimination
6 speedy trial with witnesses
and assistance of counsel
7 jury in cases >$20
8 free from cruel and
unusual punishment
9 more rights than what’s written
10 power reserved for states
George
1st President of the United States; set precedent by stepping down after serving
Washington two terms and creating Cabinet. Warned us in his Farewell Address not to get
involved with “foreign entanglements” nor “factions” (political parties). Never
lived in White House; served in New York. Neutrality policy began with
Washington. Upheld power of federal government by putting down the Whiskey
Rebellion. Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton creates Bank of the United
States.
John
2nd President and 1st to live in White House. XYZ Affair occurred under his
Adams
watch in which French ministers asked for a bribe to be paid before negotiating
with American diplomats. Served only one term due to unpopularity of “Alien
and Sedition Acts” which placed stricter requirements on immigration,
discriminated against French Americans, and made it against the law to criticize
the government. Idea of nullification begins as response against his policies.
Appointed John Marshall as Chief Justice of Supreme Court and appointed
“midnight judges” which caused the Marbury v. Madison case. Prevented war
against France.
Thomas
3rd President and purchaser of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 doubling the size
Jefferson
of the nation. Also President during “Marbury v Madison” which establishes
judicial review; signed Embargo Act and fought Barbary Wars.
James
4th President during War of 1812 – our second war against the British caused by
Madison
the impressments of American sailors, commonly known as the 2nd Revolution
which births our national anthem – the Star Spangled Banner written by Frances
Scott Key. Industry booms during war since Great Britain blockades our ability to
buy European products –we start making our own inventions like textile mills.
Beginning of American “sectionalism” and industrialization.
James
5th President during Era of Good Feelings after war as nation was rebuilding and
Monroe
industry growing strong; Monroe Doctrine established during his presidency
saying US would protect the Western Hemisphere. President during Missouri
Compromise which prevented slavery from spreading north of the 36/30 except
in Missouri which would enter US as slave state while Maine would enter as free.
John
6th President; Son of John Adams who won election against Andrew Jackson
Quincy
after tie was settled in House of Representatives. Erie Canal built during his
Adams
presidency. 1 term president.
Andrew
7th President: Nat Turner’s Rebellion, Bank Veto, Spoils System (picking
Jackson;
supporters for jobs), Indian Removal Act causing the Trail of Tears, extended
Age of
voting rights to include all white men (no longer had to own property to vote).
Jackson
Father of modern Democratic Party. South Carolina nullifies the Tariff of
Abominations causing Jackson to threaten to send army there. Tariffs tax
imported goods. Known as Age of Jackson
J
A
M
M
J
A
W
*WESTWARD EXPANSION - began in 1803 with purchase of Louisiana Territory by Thomas
Jefferson and ended with the acquisition of the Gadsden Purchase five years after the US
Mexican war and publicized by John S. O’Sullivan who proclaimed it was our MANIFEST
DESTINY to claim the entire North American continent.
US TERRITORIAL GROWTH
PEOPLE
John C. Calhoun - Vice President under Andrew Jackson who resigned when his home state
(South Carolina) threatened to secede from the Union over the high tariff’s they had to pay on
imported goods. Supported nullification - that is a state's right to disobey a federal law they
don’t like; as Senator worked to protect the rights of states, especially South’s right to slavery.
Henry Clay – Congressman and Senator who supported War of 1812 and tariff, created
“American System,” worked to resolve disputes over expansion of slavery including the
Missouri and Great Compromises.
Daniel Webster – Senator who supported Compromise of 1850
Stephen Douglas – Senator who with Clay came up with Compromise of 1850 and the idea of
popular sovereignty in deciding the issue of slavery in the West, authored Kansas-Nebraska
Act
Lewis & Clark - Explorers hired by Jefferson to scope out the Louisiana Territory. Hired
Sacagawea, an Indian woman as their guide.
Also accompanied by Clark's slave York.
Mormons – religious group who moved west because of discrimination and established Utah.
Cherokee – one of the five civilized tribes who were forced to move west in an epic journey
called the Trail of Tears because of President Jackson’s and Van Buren’s refusal to enforce
the Supreme Court’s decision in Worcester v. Georgia;
49ers – miners looking for gold who moved to California, many on the Santa Fe Trail after its
discovery in 1848 at Sutter’s Mine.
Lowell Girls – girls who worked in the Lowell (Massachusetts) Textile Mills; first time for
women to work independently of their families; worked long hours for little pay; first factory
workers; had to go to owner's church, buy from company store, etc.
Pioneers - Americans who moved west to start fresh lives during & after Panic of 1837, going
to Oregon using Oregon Trail; Others went to Texas area seeking a new start.
HISTORY
Era of Good Feelings –the eight years of James Monroe’s presidency, from 1817 to 1825,
when Democratic Republicans dominated the nation’s politics.
Monroe Doctrine – President Monroe’s foreign policy statement warning European nations
not to colonize in the Americas anymore.
Nullification Crisis – occurred when South Carolina declared the 1832 Tariff Act null and void
in their state. South Carolina believed that a state had a right to nullify a federal law if they
considered the law to be unconstitutional. President Andrew Jackson threatened to send in
troops to enforce the federal law; South Carolina paid the tariff. Laid foundation though for
secession.
Louisiana Purchase, 1803 – vast territory between the Mississippi River and Rocky
Mountains, purchased from France in 1803 by Thomas Jefferson.
Manifest Destiny – belief held in the 1800s that Americans had the right and the duty to
spread across the continent all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Protective Tariff – tax on foreign goods brought into a country to help bolster the country’s
economy. Northerners liked the tariff because it made their products cheaper than those
bought in Europe and helped their industries. Southerners hated it preferring to trade cotton for
products made in France & Great Britain. Caused controversies during Jackson, Van Buren
presidencies and helped divide nation.
Sectionalism – minor era of US history that divided nation along economic, cultural lines North possessed factories (textile mills) and grew industrial while the South remained
agriculture society growing cotton and dependent upon slavery. Began in years of early
republic and lasted until the end of the Civil War
War of 1812 - 2nd war for independence against the British - last until 1814 over the
impressment of American sailors and Great Britain's support of Indian attacks along the
frontier. Helped develop technology to industrialize nation after war. and bring about feelings
of patriotism. National anthem written during this war by Frances Scott Key - the Star
Spangled Banner. Also made war hero of Andrew Jackson; helped bring about American
industrialization
Texas Annexation - 1845 admission of Texas as a state (after Texas’ own war for
independence against Mexico) which then caused the US/Mexican War
US Mexican War - War between United States and Mexico fought because of Texas joining
the United States. The US won and gained 1/2 of Mexico's territory - the Mexican cession:
California, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and the Southern part of Texas.
California Gold Rush - 1848 discovery of gold lured thousands to California.
Reform Movements –movements that were created by people affected by the Second Great
Awakening who sought to improve society by ending slavery, granting equal rights to women,
improving conditions of those imprisoned
Second Great Awakening – religious revivals in early and mid 1800s that caused people to
want to improve society
INVENTORS & INVENTIONS
Industrialization - process of switching from hand tools to machinery; from cottage industry to
factory system; from craftsmanship to assembly line production of interchangeable parts.
Cottage Industry – making things one by one, by hand, usually in one’s own home
Factory system – workers and machines in a factory producing the goods people buy
Urbanization – growth of cities because of factories
Mass production – rapid making (manufacturing) of identical objects
Eli Whitney – creator of the cotton gin which increased need for slavery AND interchangeable
parts which led to factory system and mass production
Samuel Morse – inventor of Morse code and telegraphs which increased communications
across the nation
Cyrus McCormick – inventor of mechanical reaper which greatly increased the amount of
wheat that a farmer could harvest; helped farmers in Northwest sells their goods in the East
Robert Fulton – invented some of the first steamboats in America that used steam engines
and greatly impacted travel along waterways
Erie Canal – man made waterway that connected Lake Erie to the Hudson River and made
New York City and state a booming industrial center
Train – helped connect major cities, decrease travel time
Samuel Colt – created six shooter
Textile mills – factories that started in Lowell, Massachusetts that used water for power; took
cotton produced in South and turned it to thread and cloth using looms
REFORMS & REFORMERS
Abolition – movement to end slavery; Quakers were religious group who took lead in
movement, creating Underground Railroad
Frederick Douglass: An abolitionist and one of the best speakers in US History. A former
slave who had run away - helped convince Americans that slavery was wrong and African
Americans could be productive, intelligent citizens of our nation. Fought for the rights of
everyone including women and is remembered for being one of the greatest African Americans
in our history. He also published the "North Star" a newspaper that spread anti-slavery ideas.
Horace Greeley: An editor of the New York Tribune and founder of the New Yorker
Magazine; Greeley urged young American men to "go west, young man." He also was an
abolitionist and used his paper to spread anti-slavery ideas.
William Lloyd Garrison: Founder of "The Liberator," Garrison fought 30 years to end slavery
and its expansion. He used his newspaper to help spread anti-slavery ideas across the nation.
Brown, John – Abolitionist who moved to Kansas to help anti-slavery forces there win
election; later led raid on Harper’s Ferry arsenal; captured and hanged for treason
Henry David Thoreau – Author of “Walden” and “Civil Disobedience” Went to jail in
protest of paying taxes to support US Mexican War and thus slavery. Example of civil
disobedience.
Angelina & Sarah Grimke: Two sisters from South Carolina joined the anti-slavery
movement after they could no longer bear seeing the plight of slaves in the South. They were
outspoken and completely dedicated to the abolitionist movement. Angelina became the first
woman to ever speak in front of a legislative body when she addressed the Massachusetts
Legislature, and Sarah later joined the crusade for women's rights. Both contributed greatly to
the end of slavery.
Harriet Beecher Stowe: Sister of Catherine Beecher, Harriet was a writer and abolitionist
whose play "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was first published as a mini-series in an abolitionist
publication. This book brought the issue of slavery to mainstream American society and
helped make the Civil War a war against slavery. Abraham Lincoln said of Beecher-Stowe,
"So you're the little lady who wrote the book that started this great war."
Women’s Movement – Movement for women to achieve suffrage (the right to vote) that
gained national recognition from the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton - Worker for equality for women and suffrage for women. Writer of
the "Declaration of Sentiments" and organizer of the famous Seneca Falls Convention - the
first meeting that called for the equal rights of women in 1848.
Susan B. Anthony - Another women's suffrage advocate. Co-writer of the "Declaration of
Sentiments" and Stanton's "right hand woman." Arrested for trying to vote.
Dorothea Dix - Fought for the rights of those in prison and the insane whose conditions were
deplorable. Helped improve living standards in jails and mental institutions.
Clara Barton - Founded the Red Cross and helped better treatments of wounded during the
Civil War.
Horace Mann – the father of public education; advocated that a democratic society had to
have free access to education for an intelligent voting population.
Temperance Movement – movement to end the sale and consumption of alcohol
*THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION: major eras of US history in which Southern
states seceded and made war upon the Union of the United States. The Union wins the war
and forces Southern states who seceded to go through Reconstruction policies to be
readmitted into the nation.
SLAVERY COMPROMISES
Missouri Compromise, 1820 – When Missouri requested admission to the Union as a slave state,
it threatened to upset the balance between slave states and free states. To keep the peace,
Congress orchestrated a two-part compromise, granting Missouri’s request but also admitting
Maine as a free state. It also passed an amendment that drew an imaginary line across the former
Louisiana Territory at the 36°30’ parallel, establishing a boundary between free and slave regions.
The Compromise of 1850 – As the nation grew larger, the question of the expansion of slavery
came up again. Texas was admitted to the union as a slave state and California as a free state.
The Wilmot Proviso let the territories of Utah and New Mexico decide whether or not to allow
slavery by popular sovereignty. A stronger fugitive slave act was established.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854 – allowed the newly-created territories of Kansas and Nebraska
to decide by popular sovereignty whether or not to allow slavery. This law effectively repealed the
Missouri Compromise and resulted in a flood of pro- and anti-slavery believers to Kansas in hopes
of voting for or against its spread. This led to the first battles over slavery known as Bleeding
Kansas. John Brown first became famous for murdering five pro-slavery farmers during the
skirmishes.
SUPREME COURT CASE
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) – a Supreme Court case in which a slave, Dred Scott, sued for his
freedom and lost. 1. Slaves were designated as property and could not be citizens 2. Slave owners
could bring their slaves to whatever territory they want, just like any other property. This ruling
effectively declared the Kansas Nebraska Act unconstitutional.
PEOPLE
Abraham Lincoln -1st Republican President…President of the U.S.A./Union during the Civil
War
Jefferson Davis – President of the Confederate States of America.
Robert E. Lee – Confederate general in the Civil War, he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at
Appomattox Courthouse.
Ulysses S Grant – Union general during the Civil War who later became the 18 th president of
the United States. Forced the surrender of Robert E. Lee and the Confederate forces at
Appomattox Courthouse in 1865, ending the Civil War.
Stonewall Jackson – Confederate general during Civil War who survived being shot at
Chancellorsville and having his arm amputated but died of pneumonia. Southern symbol of
heroism. Fought at Antietam.
Hiram Rhodes Revels – 1st African American elected to US Senate during Reconstruction
period – from Mississippi.
William Carney-Medal of Honor recipient for actions at Fort Wagner. Part of the 54th
Massachusetts. Was escaped slave who joined Union army during Civil War
Phillip Bazaar-Hispanic immigrant from Chile who received Medal of Honor for his actions at
Fort Fisher during Civil War; sailor in the US Navy
DOCUMENTS
st
Lincoln’s1 Inaugural Address – Speech where Lincoln says his number one priority is to
keep nation together with or without slavery.
Davis’ 1st Inaugural Address-Speech in which Davis outlines the reasons for the South’s
secession including states’ rights and abuse of federal power.
Emancipation Proclamation 1863 – President Lincoln’s 1863 declaration freeing slaves in
the areas held by the Confederacy made possible by Northern victory at Antietam.
Gettysburg Address – speech made by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 after the Battle of
Gettysburg.
Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address – Speech in which Lincoln outlines his plan for
Reconstruction, including forgiving the South, giving some black men the right to vote.
Republican Party – political party established in the United States in 1854 with the goal of
keeping slavery out of the western territories.
Secede – to withdraw from membership in a group.
Secession – what Southern states did when they left the Union and formed the CSA
BATTLES
Civil War 1861-1865 – The war between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South).
Fort Sumter – a federal fort in South Carolina which became the site of the first shot in the
Civil War after Southern forces took the fort and seized its weapons.
Antietam – deadliest one-day battle of Civil War; seen as Union victory which enabled Lincoln
to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and prevented South from receiving any help from
Great Britain or France
Siege of Vicksburg – military blockade and bombardment of Vicksburg, a city in Mississippi,
during the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, fighting for the Union, eventually won the battle.
Gettysburg – town in southern Pennsylvania and the site of Union victory in 1863 which was
the turning point in the Civil War.
Appomattox Courthouse – site of Lee’s surrender to Grant at the end of the Civil War
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
13th Amendment – banned slavery throughout the nation.
14th Amendment – gave citizenship to all people born in the United States.
15th Amendment – forbade any state from denying African-American males the right to
vote.
Reconstruction –major era of reform programs of the Radical Reconstruction Congress,
reconstructed state legislatures, economic problems, and social problems including the
establishment of Jim Crow laws and the Klu Klux Klan that allowed Southern states which had
seceded to come back into the union as equal states.
*POST RECONSTRUCTION TERMS
Dawes Act - 1887 law that gave President the right to divide tribal Indian land and give it to
individual Indians.
Homestead Act - Federal government gave free land to settlers who would build a home on
set # of acres and live out west.
Morrill Act - law allowing federal government to give states land to be sold and used to build
colleges in each state.
Transcontinental Railroad - Railroad that went all the way from the Atlantic coast to the
Pacific Coast. Called the Overland Route. Remarkable feat accomplished by building from
east to west and meeting in the middle during presidency of Ulysses S Grant. Built mainly by
Irish and Chinese immigrants being used as cheap labor.