APUSH ID's units 1-10

House of Burgesses

1619, the first elected legislative assembly in the New World established in the Colony of Virginia in 1619, representative colony set up by England to make laws and levy taxes but England could veto its legistlative acts; it set a precedent for future pa

Mayflower Compact

1620, A document signed by 41 of the male passengers on the Mayflower prior to their landing at Plymouth that agreed to form a body politic to submit to the majority's rule; This set the precedent for future constitutions to be written

Petition of Rights

1628, A legal petition sent to King Charles I from Parliament complaining about the breeches in the law; Foreshadowed later colonial petitions for rights.

Maryland Toleration Act

Act that was passed in Maryland that guaranteed toleration to all Christians, including Catholics; Though it did not sanction much tolerance, the act was the first seed that would sprout into the first amendment, granting religious freedom to all.

Control of the Purse

Since the legislative branch controlled the payment of the British governor's/executive's salary, he was forced to be loyal to that legislature; This gave colonists some influence in colonial law, but angered local British leaders

Bacon's Rebellion

Rebellion of discontent former landless servants led by Nathaniel Bacon. Though the rebellion was crushed, it caused a move from indentured servants to African slaves for labor purposes.

Salutary Neglect

From about 1690-1760, the American colonies suffered from neglect from the motherland. During this time, the colonies were given indirectly more autonomy in provincial and local matters while supporting Britain economically; The autonomy would ultimately

Middle Passage

A route where slaves were transported to the colonies/new world. Most if not all of the slaves in America came by this route.

Anne Hutchinson

A Puritan woman who was well learned that disagreed with the Puritan Church in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her actions resulted in her banishment from the colony, and later took part in the formation of Rhode Island. She displayed the importance of question

Roger Williams

He was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for challenging Puritan ideas. He later established Rhode Island and helped it to foster religious toleration.

William Bradford

Pilgrim that lived in a north colony called Plymouth Rock in 1620. He was chosen governor 30 times. e also conducted experiments of living in the wilderness and wrote about them; well known for "Of Plymouth Plantation.

John Winthrop

emigrated from the Mass. Bay Colony in the 1630's to become the first governor and to lead a religious experiment. He once said, "we shall be a city on a hill.

Letters from an American Farmer

A document written by an emigrant French aristocrat turned farmer posing the famous question, "What, then, is the American, this new man?" This is the only critical edition available of what is regarded as the first ever work of American literature.

New England Confederation

New England colonists formed the New England Confederation in 1643 as a defense against local Native American tribes and encroaching Dutch. The colonists formed the alliance without the English crown's authorization.

Iron Act

Part of the British Trade and Navigation acts; it was intended to stem the development of colonial manufacturing in competition with home industry by restricting the growth of the American iron industry to the supply of raw metals. This set a feeling of d

Molasses Act

A law that imposed a tax on molasses, sugar, and rum imported from non-British foreign colonies into the North American colonies; it was aimed to reserve a monopoly of the colonies. This caused anger among colonials due to the fear of increased prices of

Navigation Acts

Series of laws designed to restrict England's carrying trade to English ships. The law angered colonials who felt that they could profit more if they were not restricted and that they were just tools of British mercantilism.

Great Awakening

It was a revival of religious importance in the 17th century. It undermined older clergy, created schisms, increased compositeness of churches, and encouraged missionary work, led to the founding new schools. It was first spontaneous movement of the Ameri

Zenger Case

The Zenger Case was a trial against the author of an article in a New York newspaper that criticized a corrupt British governor. Zenger was charged with sedition and libel, but he was acquitted. The event was a contribution to the adaptation of the policy

Paxton Boys

An uprising of frontiersmen in Pennsylvania who massacred (nonviolent) Conestoga Indians. Governor attempted to try those involved, but they were never tried This showed the bias against frontiersmen in the eastern government, and prompted 600 frontiersme

Albany Plan of Union

Colonial confederation calling for each town to have independence in a large whole. It was used for military defense and Indian policies Set a precedent for later American unity.- overally, failed

Peace of Paris

This ended the Seven Years War/French and Indian war between Britain and her allies and France and her allies. The result was the acquisition of all land east of the Mississippi plus Canada for Britain, and the removal of the French from mainland North Am

Proclamation Line

The line that was setup by the British that forbids any movement/settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This angered many colonials, who felt that the current space was too crowded, and that they had every right to move if they desired to since it

George III

English monarch at the time of the revolution. He was the main opposition for the colonies due to his stubborn attitude and unwillingness to hear out colonial requests/grievances.

Patrick Henry

He was an orator and statesman and a member of the House of Burgesses where he introduced seven resolutions against the Stamp Act. Famous for his comment "Give me liberty or give me death", he also promoted revolutionary ideals.

Writs of Assistance

It was a search warrant allowing officials to enter buildings in which smuggled goods may be. It required no cause for suspicion and homes were often ransacked. It influenced the fourth amendment to ensure that officials required a warrant for search and

Sugar Islands

The only land that France had in the New World after the Seven Years war. These were the places where many New England merchants smuggled sugar from.

Benjamin Franklin

An American diplomat, writer, and inventor. He helped the writing of the Declaration as well as securing French aid.

George Grenville

British Prime Minister Architect of the Sugar Act; his method of taxation and crackdown on colonial smuggling were widely disliked by Americans. He passed the Stamp Act arguing that colonists received virtual representation in Parliament

Sugar Act

Amended the Molasses Act that had taxed all foreign molasses entering the U.S. at sixpence a gallon in 1764. The new act ended the previous British policy of keeping Americans out of all revenue-raising measures.

Stamp Act

A means of raising revenue in the colonies, and was passed by Parliament. It stated that all legal documents, contracts, licenses, pamphlets, and newspapers must carry a stamp that is taxed. It angered the colonists greatly, and led to the creation of the

Virtual & Actual Representation

The British claimed that all British subjects were represented by members of the House of Commons, while the colonials argued that they were not at all represented as they did not choose their representatives. This caused more anger in the colonies, and i

Regulators

This name applies to several groups of insurgents who, in 1764, wanted to protect the rights of their community. They believed that the tax money was being unevenly distributed. Many of its members joined the American Revolutionists.

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting of delegations from many of the colonies, the congress was formed to protest the newly passed Stamp Act It adopted a declaration of rights as well as sent letters of complaints to the king and parliament, and it showed signs of colonial unity an

Sons of Liberty

A secret society of patriots which was organized in 1765 in the colonies. They formed a Committee of Correspondence to defend themselves against British actions. It was one of the first forms of organized resistance against the British parliament, and mem

Declaratory Acts

Act which was issued in 1766 in order to confirm the British government's right to pass acts which were legally binding to the colonists. It was used to save face after the colonists forced the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Quartering Act

It allowed for British officers to be permitted to stay in the homes of colonials to cut down maintenance cost of the colonial garrison. IT angered many colonists, and influenced the third amendment.

Charles Townshend

British Prime Minister. Influenced Parliament to pass the Townshend Acts.

Boston Massacre

An event that took place in Boston where colonial agitators provoked British troops with snowballs with rocks inside them. The result was an accidental firing of muskets into the crowd and the death of some colonials; it became a prime piece of anti-Briti

Lord North

British Prime Minister during revolution. He had passed the Coercive Acts and supported the king greatly to the extent that Britain was ruled only by the king.

Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania

A declaration of rights at the Stamp Act Congress It argued against the duties of the Townshend acts in this publication.

Gaspee Incident

A schooner was beached in Providence, RI, This upset Americans because it was one of the last of the customs racketeering ships. It was burned down by local inhabitants. It greatly angered the British and showed how militant the colonials were becoming.

Tea Act

Act eliminated import duties entering England, lowering the selling price to consumers, also allowing selling directly to consumers, hurting middlemen. It angered the colonies since it gave a monopoly to the British East India Tea Company, thus forcing lo

Boston Tea Party

A group, disguised as Indians boarded the ships and dumped all the tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act. It angered the British, and led to the closure of Boston harbor as well as the other Coercion Acts.

Intolerable or Coercive Acts

Several laws that were composed in 1774 in response to colonial rebellion. (Boston Tea Party) It angered the colonies greatly, pushing them further into unity.

Quebec Act

Law which established Roman-Catholicism as the official religion in Quebec and gave it more freedom in order to keep from interferring in war(please them). Angered protestants and colonials who felt that they deserved better.

First Continental Congress

The congress was the colonists' response to the Coercive/Intolerable Acts. This called for a complete boycott of all British goods in 12 of the 13 colonies, showing a growth in unity.

Lexington and Concord

These were the first "battles" of the Revolutionary War. Lex, delayed troops on way to concord. IT showed that the British had only military resolve in mind.

Olive Branch Petition

The petition was a last ditch effort- created by the second Continental Congress- to have King George III redress colonial grievances to avoid further bloodshed The king refused to receive it, and it showed that Britain's only choice was war, and also tha

Hessians

German mercenaries that were hired by the British for putting down the rebellion of the colonies. The hiring of these men showed to the colonists that the British had only military action in mind as a solution to the current problems.

Bunker Hill

a battle that took place on the strategic point of Breed's Hill. British victory on account of the depletion of American supplies. yet gave them confidence- It pushed Americans towards a final decision for war.

Second Continental Congress

The congress had resolved that the only option was war due to the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition. It named George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental army and later on adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Common Sense

This was a pamphlet that was written by a Thomas Paine, a common man in the colonies. The pamphlet supported and gave reason to support secession from Britain as well as promote a representative type of government.

Declaration of Independence

Document that contained a list of grievances placing the blame on George III. Additionally, it asserted certain natural rights It was the colonies official declaration of rebellion.

Republican Mothers

The ideal American women. raised patriots Proved to be the defining role for women in the 19th century.

Articles of Confederation

The articles were the first governing document that unified the colonies against the British It showed the French that the colonials were serious about independence and that they had a post-war plan.

Valley Forge

Place in Pennsylvania where George Washington and his Continental Army spent the winter. It allowed for Washington to regroup and retrain his rag-tag army.

Lafayette and von Stuben

Foreign advisors who helped train American soldiers. Lafayette helped urge France into allying, and von Stuben proved to be a valuable drillman.

Trenton

a battle that ended with an American victory against the Hessian mercenaries hired by the British. This battle proved to be a morale booster, and was one of Washington's few victories.

Saratoga

A battle that took place in New York where the Continental Army defeated the British. It proved to be the turning point of the war. This battle ultimately had France to openly support the colonies with military forces in addition to the supplies and money

Yorktown

the last major engagement/battle of the war. Washington's armies along with the French naval fleet under de Grasse surrounded British general Charles Cornwallis and received his surrender It ended major engagements in the colonies, thus putting an "end" t

Treaty of Paris

Treaty that officially ended the war. The negotiations were between the French, the Americans, and the British. The British gave the North West territory to the Americans.- were recognized as legit indep.

Stono Rebellion

slave rebellion; south-less rights

Currency Act

prohibits from creating money

Jay-Gardoqui Treaty

A treaty between Spain and the United States. It guaranteed Spain's exclusive right to navigate Mississippi River for 30 years. It also opened Spain's European and West Indian seaports to American shipping.

Land Ordinance of 1785

It set up how the new land gained after the revolution would be distributed and organized. The ordinance set up townships that were 36 sq miles where each plot of land was 1 sq mile and the 16th plot was sold for public schooling. The action was a huge su

Northwest Ordinance; 1787

It declared that once a territory had a population of 60000, it would gain full statehood. However, before this, it would remain as a subordinate of the federal government. The action was a huge success for the new government; it prevented a second revolu

Daniel Shays

a leader in a rebellion against the state of Massachusetts due to the amount of discontent of farmers that lost their land due to mortgage foreclosures and tax delinquencies during the war while they were off fighting. The rebellion, though put down by th

Annapolis Convention

As a result of the commerce squabbles among the states, Virginia called for a convention in Annapolis to revise articles of confederation. It led to another one in Philadelphia, which was later to be the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

A compromise that proposed two houses of Congress; one where the population would determine how many representatives a state has, and another to ensure that all states are represented equally. Created the House and Senate while resolving the dispute betwe

3/5 Compromise

It was a compromise between the northern states with the southern ones that decided that although slaves were not citizens, each one would count as 3/5 of a man for representation. It got Southern states to ratify the constitution.

Commerce Compromise

Compromise that made it so that only congress could regulate interstate commerce. It ended the commercial dispute where states would have different tariffs for other states.

Federalism

It was a belief in a strong and powerful central government. It had a strong influence for a couple of decades in the early country.

Separation of Powers

A system that separated the powers of government into three separate braches to limit arbitrary excesses by the government. It led to the system of checks and balances so that the government would not become centered on one branch.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensured that no particular branch of government gained too much power over another. It demonstrated the fear of absolute power in one group/individual as well as preventing one branch from overpowering the others.

Preamble

First sentence of the constitution. Outlined the purpose of writing the constitution.

Impeachment

The act of by which a legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government.This is part of the system of checks and balances so that the judicial and the executive do not abuse their powers.

Filibustering

This is an attempt to obstruct a particular decision from being taken by using up the time available, typically through an extremely long speech. This would prevent the "opposing" party to pass an unfavorable law and ultimately force a compromise.

Elastic Clause

It states that Congress has the power "to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for governing the country. This was made due to the fact that no one knew what the country would be like in the future, and therefore this clause gave congress po

Habeas Corpus

Common law where a judge could release a state prisoner if he was held unlawfully It protected the rights of all and prevented abuse of power.

Ex Post de Facto

A law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed increases the penalties for an infraction after it has been committed, or changes the rules of evidence to make conviction easier This was prohibited by the constitution in order to keep the ju

Electoral College

The system that the United States used and still uses to elect the president. Each state has a number of electoral votes based on the number of representatives it has in congress. The system showed the lack of trust the founding fathers had in the common

Judicial Review

It was a power given to the judiciary branch in order to sustain checks and balances. This power let judges examine a law or act passed by the government to see if it was constitutional or not.

Treason

An act against one's country One can be tried for treason if two witnesses witness the act of treason.

Federalist Papers

The papers were a collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison explaining how the new government/constitution would work. Their purpose was to convince the New York state legislature to ratify the constitution, which it

Federalists

A political group who believed in a strong and powerful central government/executive branch. They were influential during Washington's presidency and taught America how to walk. Initiated political party system with the Republicans.

Republicans

Rivals of the Federalists who believed in a smaller government based on state rights. Their rivalry sparked tensions with Federalists, creating a political party system.

Funding

An economic policy of Hamilton where the government would pay the national debt at face value. It would help relieve the government out of its huge debt.

Assumption

Economic policy of Alexander Hamilton where the central government would assume the debts of all the states. It would tie the states closer to the federal government.

Bank of the US

The central bank of the nation designed to facilitate the issuance of a stable national currency and to provide a convenient means of exchange for the people. The bank was responsible for providing the nation economic stability.

Whiskey Tax

Part of the excise taxes, the whiskey tax added a tax on whiskey at seven cents a gallon This helped pay of some of the debt.

Report on Manufactures

A proposal written by Hamilton promoting protectionism in trade by adding tariffs to imported goods in order to protect American industry Though congress did not do anything with it, the report later influenced later industrial policies.

James Madison

A co-author of the Federalist Papers, he was an influential delegate of the Constitutional Convention later to be called the Father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. By writing the Bill of Rights, he secured the faith of those who were not sure

Neutrality Proclamation

A proclamation issued by Washington that proclaimed that The United States was a neutral state when war erupted again between France and England This illustrated the truism that self-interest is the glue of alliances.

Citizen Grant

sent to the U.S. by the French to find soldiers to attack British ships and conquer the territories held by Spain -act of how many did not take the neutrality proclamation seriously. He was a French representative that landed at Charleston and took part i

Jay Treaty

A treaty which offered little concessions from Britain to the U.S Jay was able to get Britain to say they would evacuate the chain of posts on U.S. soil and pay damages for recent seizures of American ships. This resulted in a vitalization of the Democrat

Pinckney Treaty

agreement between Spain and the United States, fixing the southern boundary of the United States at 31� N latitude and establishing commercial arrangements favorable to the United States. U.S. citizens were accorded free navigation of the Mississippi Rive

John Adams

He was the second president of the United States and a Federalist. He was responsible for passing the Alien and Sedition Acts. Prevented all out war with France after the XYZ Affair. His passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts severely hurt the popularity

Farewell Address

The address was Washington's farewell letter that was written by Hamilton and published in newspapers It warned against permanent alliances and political parties.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident when made public in 1798, nearly involved the United States and France in war The incident ended the Franco-American treaty and resulted in the undeclared war between the two countries and prompted the build up of the U.S. Navy.

Barbary Pirates

These were Muslim pirates operating from the coast of North Africa that hampered merchant shipping in the area by breaking treaties, attacking ships, and taking hostages/prisoners. The attacks prompted the build up of the U.S. Navy to stop the attacks

Alien and Sedition Acts

the alien act allowed the exportation of any alien believed to be a threat to national security and during times of war; sedition act made it a criminal offense to plot against the government -oppressed people's first amendment rights

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions; Jay-Gardoqui Treaty

protest to the Alien and Sedition Acts; Virginia resolution said states had the right to intervene in unconstitutional acts in government; Kentucky resolution stated that federal government could not extend powers outside of constitutionally granted power

Aaron Burr

Republican who received the same number of electoral votes as Jefferson since they ran together, thus throwing the election to the House. Caused an amendment to state that President and Vice-President were to be voted separately.

Judiciary Act

Act was an effort by the lame duck Federalist majority in Congress to prolong its control of the federal judiciary before the end of John Adams' termThis effort showed that the Federalists were waning in power.

Mercy Otis Warren

New England woman who wrote many works. These included a history of the revolution, a play, and poems One of America's first writers.

Albert Gallatin

He was an American politician, diplomat, and Secretary of the Treasury. He was responsible for balancing the budget, which let America purchase the Louisiana territory from France.

Waltham Method

The method was a set of unique production methods used at Lowell's Mills. It is purported to increase efficiency, productivity and profits in ways different from other methods, which gave America a help in industrializing.

Yazoo Land Claims

Fraud perpetrated by several Georgia governors and the state legislature from 1795 to 1803 by selling large tracts of land to insiders at low prices. The lands were to be the states of Alabama and Mississippi later on and it was the first state law repeal

Robert Livingston

He was the U.S. Minister to France from 1801 to 1804. He negotiated the purchase of the Louisiana Territory.

Louisiana Purchase

The treaty describes the United States acquisition of more than 529,911,680 acres of territory from France in 1803. This greatly increased the size, power, and wealth of the U.S.

Marbury v. Madison

A court case that came from a dispute between Marbury and Madison where Madison refused to sign Marbury's appointment. IT established the basis for the exercise of judicial review and made the judicary branch equal in power.

Chesapeake-Leopard

An incident where the Leopard, a British warship, demanded the surrender for 4 deserters on the Chesapeake. It refused, and the Leopard fired upon the ship This escalated the tensions between the two nations, and directly caused the Embargo Act of 1807 an

Orders-in-Council

Set of several trade regulations which established a blockade of part of the continent of Europe and prohibited trade with France. Escalated tensions between Britain and America.establishes a blockade of part of the continent of Europe and prohibited trad

Embargo Act

Act that forbade the export of goods from the U.S. in order to hurt the economies of the warring nations of France and Britain. The act slowed the economy of New England and the south. The act was seen as one of many precursors to war.

Non-Intercourse Act

The act was a replacement of the Embargo Act. It reopened trade with the world except with France and Britain. Like its predecessor, it was ineffective and a precursor to war.

War Hawks

These were mostly young Republicans who had been imbued with the ideals of the American Revolution as youths, who wanted to take Canada and Florida and deal with the Indian problem. They held a majority in Congress, and were responsible for declaring war

Daniel Webster

Famous American politician and orator. he advocated renewal and opposed the financial policy of Jackson. Many of the principles of finance he spoke about were later incorporated in the Federal Reserve System. Would later push for a strong union.

Hartford Convention

It was a gathering of Federalists in New England whose purpose was to discuss their grievances and to seek redress for their wrongs. They desired amendments to the Constitution that would restore the Federalists, but ultimately, the desires of the convent

Battle of New Orleans

A battle during the War of 1812 where the British army attempted to take New Orleans. Due to the foolish frontal attack, Jackson defeated them, which gave him an enormous popularity boost.

Treaty of Ghent

It was the treaty that ended the War of 1812 by declaring an armistice between US and Briatain. The treaty in essence, declared the war as a draw; however, the treaty proved to be popular since nothing was lost.

Rush-Bagot Treaty

The Treaty demilitarized the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, where many British naval armaments and forts still remained, and laid the basis for a demilitarized boundary between the US and British North America This agreement was indicative of improving r

Era of Good Feelings

This phrase was coined by a Boston newspaper that was commonly associated with the administration of James Monroe. It represented a time of a sense of nationalism in the country, as well as a sober executive.

Frances C. Lowell

American business man who started Boston Manufacturing Company. A fore-runner to future American industrialists and pioneered the employment of women, which started the Lowell system of hiring young unmarried women

Cumberland Road

The road was the first interstate highway, and the only one entirely paid for by federal funds. It ran from Maryland to Illinois and helped with the westward movement.

Tariff of 1816

The tariff raised import duties 25% It lessened the flood of imports, protected domestic industry, and prevented an economic crisis

James Monroe

He was the fifth President of the United States. He is the author of the Monroe Doctrine. Proclaimed that the Americas should be closed to future European colonization and free from European interference in sovereign countries' affairs. It further stated

John C. Calhoun

He was a senator for South Carolina that was at first a supporter of the Tariff of 1816 but switched sides later on He claimed that it was a pro-Northerner act that would not build up the self-sufficiency of the economy. He was an example of the sectional

Adams-Onis Treaty

known as transcontinental treaty, purchased Florida from Spain. Established western boundary for US and prevented Seminoles from invading Georgia

McCulloch v. Maryland

This was a judicial case that involved an attempt by Maryland to destroy a branch of the Bank of the United States by imposing tax on the notes This ended with John Marshall promoting Hamiltonian policy of implied powers and claimed that Maryland had no r

Dartmouth v. Woodward

This was a Supreme Court case dealing with the impairment of contracts. It strengthened the Contract Clause and limiting the power of the States to interfere with private institutions' charters. The decision protected contracts against specifically state

Panic of 1819

This was the first widespread economic crisis in the United States which brought deflation, depression, backrushes, bank failures, unemployment and soup kitchens. This set back nationalism to more sectionalism and hurt the poorer class, which gave way to

Erie Canal

It is a canal in New York State, United States, that runs from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean It cut transport costs into what was then wilderness by about 90%. The Canal resulted in a massive population

Tallmadge Amendment

This was an attempt to have no more slaves to be brought to Missouri and provided the gradual emancipation of the children of slaves. In the mind of the South, this was a threat to the sectional balance between North and South.

Missouri Compromise

This was an agreement passed in 1820 between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States, involving primarily the regulation of slavery in the western territories. The South won Missouri as a slave state, and the North won Maine and the

Denmark Vesey Revolt

A failed revolt by Denmark Vesey to steal arms and lead slaves to freedom. It failed due to loyal slaves. The revolt scarred the South, and made them even more coercive on the manners of slavery.

Gibbons v. Ogden

A case that arose from an attempt by New York State to grant a monopoly of steamboat operation between New York and New Jersey. Ogden was licensed to operate the ferry and argued that navigation commerce was a state regulated thing, but Gibbons had his ow

Henry Clay

A northern American politician. He developed the American System as well as negotiated numerous compromises.

American System

an economic regime pioneered by Henry Clay which created a high tariff to support internal improvements such as road-building. This approach was intended to allow the United States to grow and prosper by themselves This would eventually help America indus

John Quincy Adams

Sixth president of the United States He was in favor of funding national research and he appointed Henry Clay as his Secretary of State. During his presidency the National Republicans were formed in support of him.

Corrupt Bargain

An event during the 1824 presidential election where Henry Clay did behind the scenes work in order to secure the victory of John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson. This enraged Jackson supporters, and would help him win in 1828.

Tariff of Abominations

The bill favored western agricultural interests by raising tariffs or import taxes on imported hemp, wool, fur, flax, and liquor, thus favoring Northern manufacturers. In the South, these tariffs raised the cost of manufactured goods, thus angering them a

Thomas W. Dorr

He was a U.S. lawyer and political figure who drafted a liberal constitution for Rhode Island which was passed by popular referendum.

South Carolina Exposition & Protest

The document, written by John C. Calhoun, was a protest against the Tariff of 1828. It promoted the nullification theory. This was another example of the rising tension between the North and South and foreshadowed secession.

Martin Van Buren

He was the eighth president of the United States who was experienced in legislative and administrative life. He passed the Divorce Bill which placed the federal surplus in vaults located in large cities and denied the backing system.

Peggy O'Neal-Eaton Affair

Sex scandal involving members of Jackson's cabinet Forced several members of Jackson's cabinet to resign, allowing Van Buren to be elevated as Jackson's successor

Webster-Hayne Debate

It was an unplanned series of speeches in the Senate, during which Robert Hayne of South Carolina interpreted the Constitution as little more than a treaty between sovereign states, and Daniel Webster expressed the concept of the United States as one nati

Maysville Road Veto

A veto by Jackson that prevented the Maysville road from being funded by federal money since it only benefited Kentucky. This was a blow to Clay's American System, and it irritated the West.

Indian Removal Act

An act that granted the ability to negotiate land-exchange treaties to the federal government. Part of the Indian Removal policy of the government. This allowed the movement of the Indians which granted new land in the south.

Indian Intercourse Act

These were several acts passed by the United States Congress regulating commerce between American Indians and non-Indians and restricting travel by non-Indians onto Indian land. It regulated relations between Indians living on Indian land and non-Indians,

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

Court refused to hear case of the Cherokees, which they brought forward, because Georgia had abolished their tribal legislature and courts. This showed that the Cherokee's position was on their shoulders, and it was a precursor to Worcester v. Georgia

Nullification Ordinance

declared the tariff of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the state borders of South Carolina

Compromise Tariff of 1833

It was a new tariff proposed by Henry Clay and John Calhoun that gradually lowered the tariff to the level of the tariff of 1816 This compromise avoided civil war and prolonged the union for another 30 years.

Force Bill

The bill authorized President Andrew Jackson's use of whatever force necessary to execute laws, e.g. collect taxes from states who didn't want to pay them; The bill was furthered the power of the presidency.

Nicholas Biddle

He was an American financier who was also president of the Bank of the United States. He was also known for his bribes. He was in charge during the bank war, where Jackson refused to deposit federal funds, which bled the bank dry. He also showed the corru

Roger B. Taney

The fifth Chief Justice. him... and other justices appointed by Jackson favored the power of the states . In the Dred Scott decision (1857) he ruled that slaves and their descendants had no rights as citizens.

Democracy in America

classic French text by Alexis de Tocqueville on the United States in the 1830s and its strengths and weaknesses such as the tyranny of the majority It explained why republicanism succeeded in the U.S. and failed elsewhere.

Loco Focos

They were a radical faction of the Democratic Party that existed from 1835 until the mid-1840s. Martin van Buren incorporated many ideals from the group.

Whig Party

A political party that lasted from 1834 to 1860, formed to oppose the policies of President Andrew Jackson, The creation of the party signified the end of one party rule.

Specie Circular

Executive order that required payment in gold/silver in order to buy land since paper money was inflating. This signified the growing economic problems which would result in the panic of 1837.

Panic of 1837

As a result of Jackson's economic policies, the United States went through another depression It resulted in the closure of many banks and record unemployment levels.

Independent Treasury System

The act removed the federal government from involvement with the nation's banking system by establishing federal depositories for public funds instead of keeping the money in national, state, or private banks This was the system the government adopted unt

Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge

Dispute over the toll bridge of Charles River and the free bridge of Warren. The court ruled in favor of Warren. Reversed Dartmouth College v. Woodward; property rights can be overridden by public need

Samuel Morse

He developed an electric telegraph which allowed information to be transferred from one place to another by means of a strung wire using a dot-slash code. This was an early form of quick communication that helped tie people together regardless of distance

Commonwealth v. Hunt

A Massachusetts Supreme Court case regarding the issue of worker unions; it ruled that unions were not illegal conspiracies provided that their actions were honorable and peaceful. While this did not legalize the worker strikes, it was a milestone for lat

John Deere

American blacksmith that was responsible for inventing the steel plow. This new plow was much stronger than the old iron version; therefore, it made plowing farmland in the west easier, making expansion faster.

Cyrus McCormick

Irish-American inventor that developed the mechanical reaper. The reaper replaced scythes as the preferred method of cutting crops for harvest, and it was much more efficient and much quicker. The invention helped the agricultural growth of America.

Cumberland Road

A national road that stretched from Maryland to Illinois. It was the first national/interstate highway, and it was a milestone for the eventual connection of all the states by highways, thus increasing trade.

Robert Fulton

Inventor of the steamboat, which as a boat that had a powerful steam engine. These enabled boats to travel upstream on rivers, thus increasing trade while at the same time improving inter and state transportation.

DeWitt Clinton

Governor of New York who started the Erie Canal project. His leadership helped complete the canal, which boosted the economy greatly by cutting time traveled from west New York to the Hudson.

Cyrus Field

American businessman who laid the first telegraph wire across the Atlantic. This cut down the time it took for a message to be sent from Europe to American and vice-versa.

Eli Whitney

A mechanical genius who invented the cotton gin, which was a machine that separated the cotton from the seed; This greatly improved efficiency, and the South was able to clear more acres of cotton fields, which also increased the demand for slaves. Eventu

Second Great Awakening

A second religious fervor that swept the nation. It converted more than the first. It also had an effect on moral movements such as prison reform, the temperance movement, and moral reasoning against slavery.

Joseph Smith

He was responsible for forming the Mormon sect of Christianity. This new sect was an American one and not European in origin as with all the other sects; first Christian sect created in America

Brigham Young

The successor to the Mormons after the death of Joseph Smith. He was responsible for the survival of the sect and its establishment in Utah, thereby populating the would-be state.

Noah Webster

American writer who wrote textbooks to help the advancement of education. He also wrote a dictionary which helped standardize the American language.

Deism

Belief that held that God did exist, but man was responsible for building upon what was created. It would help promote scientific advancement as well as inspire Unitarianism.

Catherine Beecher

Female reformer that pushed for female employment as teachers; however, she still embraced the role of a good homemaker for women. She was an example of the fact that not all women were pushing for radical reforms.

Elizabeth Blackwell

A woman who challenging the taboo of professional women. She graduated from medical college, thereby proving that women are able to do what men can.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

American transcendentalist who was against slavery and stressed self-reliance, optimism, self-improvement, self-confidence, and freedom. He was a prime example of a transcendentalist and helped further the movement.

Henry David Thoreau

American transcendentalist who was against a government that supported slavery. He wrote down his beliefs in Walden. He started the movement of civil-disobedience when he refused to pay the toll-tax to support him Mexican War.

Walt Whitman

American poet and transcendentalist who was famous for his beliefs on nature, as demonstrated in his book, Leaves of Grass. He was therefore an important part for the buildup of American literature and breaking the traditional rhyme method in writing poet

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

American poet that was influenced somewhat by the transcendentalism occurring at the time. He was important in building the status of American literature.

Perfectionism

Due to the new liberal movements and religious fervor, many Americans believed that perfection was attainable. Therefore, a series of movements took place to perfect society, such as prison reform, temperance, etc.

Utopian Experiments

Due to the perfectionism occurring in the country, some radical groups attempted to create utopian societies based on communism and equality. These were just examples of the feelings felt by certain Americans that somewhat reflected the general perfection

Transcendentalists

Followers of a belief which stressed self-reliance, self- culture, self-discipline, and that knowledge transcends instead of coming by reason. They promoted the belief of individualism and caused an array of humanitarian reforms.

Reform Crusades

These were a series of movements designed to better American society. They included movements such as prison reform, temperance, and women's rights. While not bringing an immediate change, the reforms did act as a starting point for a series of changes la

Harriet Beecher Stowe

She was an American writer famous for Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was about the blackness of American slavery. Acclaimed in Europe and the North, the book furthered the abolitionist movement, and it was a cause of the Civil War.

William Lloyd Garrison

Ardent abolitionist that fought against slavery for moral reasons. His influence brought many people to his standard, as well as to oppose him. He created the Anti-Slavery Society. argued for immediate and complete emancipation of all slaves and founded T

The Liberator

An anti-slavery newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison. It drew attention to abolition, both positive and negative, causing a war of words between supporters of slavery and those opposed.

Frederick Douglas

Famous black abolitionist that escaped from slavery who would later right a narrative of his own life that described his life. He promoted the abolitionist cause and drew the line where evil must be denounced.

Immigration Patters

Due to the varied problems in Europe, distinct groups immigrated to America. First were the Irish, who were hated for their Catholicism and their taking of American jobs. The next group was the Germans, who faired better than the Irish due to the fact tha

Know-Nothing Party

A party which pushed for political action against these newcomers. They displayed the feelings of America regarding newcomers that were different and therefore, the double standard of the country.

Log-Cabin Campaign, 1840

This was William Henry Harrison's bid for the presidency as a Whig. The campaign attempted to gain the support of the population by portraying Harrison as a simple man who lived in a log cabin. Harrison ultimately won, and was the beginning of active camp

Caroline Incident

An incident where an American steamer was attacked by the British. It caused a rise in tensions between the two countries.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty

settled the dispute over the location of the Maine-New Brunswick border between the United States and Canada as well as the location of the border in the westward frontier up to the Rocky Mountains -called for a final end to the slave trade on the high se

Oregon Question

A dispute between the British and the Americans over the boundary of Oregon. However, it was resolved by declaring the 49th parallel the official border, preventing war yet again.

Texas Question

Dispute between those who wanted Texas to be immediately accepted as a state; and those who wanted to wait until there was a new free state ready to join so that the balance in the Senate would not be undone. It increased the tensions between the North an

Santa Anna

Mexican dictator who was in charge when war broke out between the Mexicans and Americans. He lost Texas to rebels, and was the leader of the armed forces during the war.

Samuel Houston

An American who went to Texas. During the Texan Rebellion, he was made commander in chief of their armed forces and ultimately defeated the Mexicans. He later served as president of Texas for two terms. He was influential in getting Texas its statehood.

Slidell Mission

This was a last ditch attempt to gain California for America. Polk sent Slidell to offer a maximum of $25 million for it, but it was rejected by the Mexicans. This prompted Polk to provoke war with the Mexicans.

John Fremont

American military officer, explorer, the first candidate of the United States Republican Party for the office of President of the United States First Presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform of opposition to slavery.

Bear Flag Revolt

A revolt of American settlers in California against Mexican rule. It ignited the Mexican War and ultimately made California a state.

General Winfield Scott

United States Army lieutenant general, diplomat, and presidential candidate. He was responsible for defeating Santa Anna. He also conceived the Union strategy known as the Anaconda Plan.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico parts of modern-day Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as the whole of California, Nevada, and Utah.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed that slavery be banned in land acquired from the Mexican War. The proviso pushed the country closer to civil war; it raised questions about slaves that had not been asked previously

Mexican Cession

historical name for the region of the present day southwestern United States that was ceded to the U.S. by Mexico in 1848 under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo following the Mexican-American War. this massive land grab was significant because the question

Underground Railroad

network of clandestine routes by which African slaves in the 19th century United States attempted to escape to free states, or as far north as Canada It allowed thousands of slaves to escape to freedom.

Harriet Tubman

Known as Black Moses or Grandma Moses, she was a black freedom fighter. She freed over 300 slaves including her parents on various trips into the south.

Compromise of 1850

Series of legislation addressing slavery and the boundaries of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. California was admitted as a free state, Texas received financial compensation for relinquishing claim to lands West of the Rio Grande riv

Fugitive Slave Law, 1850

) fleeing slaves couldn't testify on their own behalf, (2) the federal commissioner who handled the case got $5 if the slave was free and $10 if not, and (3) people who were ordered to help catch slaves had to do so, even if they didn't want to.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

A writer and relative of Catherine Beecher. Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe about a slave who's ordered to be beaten to death by two other slaves. Showed northerners the horrors of slavery while southerners attack it as an exaggeration, it was also a cause of the Civil War.

William Lloyd Garrison

Ardent abolitionist that fought against slavery for moral reasons. His influence brought many people to his standard, as well as to oppose him. He created and led the Anti-Slavery Society.

Prigg v. Pennsylvania

Supreme Court case in which Edward Prigg appealed to the US Supreme Court on the grounds that the Pennsylvania law arrogated the State powers over and above those allowed by the US Constitution The court held that Federal law is superior to State law, and

Liberty Party

a former political party in the United States; formed in 1839 to oppose the practice of slavery. Later merged with antislavery Whigs to form the Free Soil Party

De Bow's Review

a widely circulated magazine of "agricultural, commercial, and industrial progress and resource" in the American South. It convinced many southerners to join in secession.

Peculiar Institution

A euphemism for slavery and the economic ramifications of it in the American South. The term aimed to explain away the seeming contradiction of legalized slavery in a country whose Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal". It wa

Nat Turner

Slave in Virginia who started a slave rebellion in 1831 believing he was receiving signs from God His rebellion was the largest sign of black resistance to slavery in America and led the state legislature of Virginia to a policy that said no one could que

Hinton Helper

a Southern critic of slavery during the 1850s who wrote a book entitled The Impending Crisis of The South The book put forth the notion that slavery hurt the economic prospects of non-slaveholders, and was an impediment to the growth of the entire region

Free-Soil Party

A short lived political party that was against the expansion of slavery into new territories. They had enough people in Congress to influence certain decisions.

Ostend Manifesto

a document drawn up in 1854 that instructed the buying of Cuba from Spain, then suggested the taking of Cuba by force It caused outrage among Northerners who felt it was a Southern attempt to extend slavery as states in Cuba would be southern states.

Gadsden Purchase

the purchasing of land from Mexico that completed the continental United States It provided the land needed to build the transcontinental railroad.

Kansas Nebraska Act

An act made to decide if the Kansas-Nebraska territory would be slave or free by popular sovereignty. The dispute strengthened the rift between the north and south states.

Bleeding Kansas

A sequence of violent events involving abolitionists and pro-Slavery elements that took place in Kansas-Nebraska Territory. The dispute further strained the relations of the North and South, making civil war imminent.

Sumner Brooks Affair

During an antislavery speech, a Senator named Sumner insulted another congressman named Butler who was related to another Congressman named Brooks. Brooks beat Sumner with his cane as Sumner sat writing at his desk in the Senate Chamber. It showed how far

Lecompton Constitution

supported the existence of slavery in the proposed state and protected rights of slaveholders. It was rejected by Kansas, making Kansas an eventual free state.

Topeka Constitution

First attempt to establish a constitution for Kansas Territory. Angered pro-slavery people who claimed it was illegal. Started another dispute and led to "Bleeding Kansas.

Stephen A. Douglas

American politician from Illinois who developed the method of popular sovereignty as a way to settle slave state or free state. He helped passed the compromise of 1850 as well as giving the states the choice with popular sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty

Doctrine that government is created by and subject to the will of the people, who are the source of all political power. Helped decided the dispute in Kansas and Nebraska.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken to Illinois by his owner for several years, so he sued for his freedom; however, the court ruled that he could not sue since he was a slave. A key cause of the American Civil War.

Roger B. Taney

Fifth Chief Justice, he was the first Roman Catholic to hold the job and was pro-slavery. He wrote the decision on the Dred Scot case.

Lincoln-Douglass Debates

a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for an Illinois seat in the Senate. led to Abe Lincoln being elected to the senate and this experience later propelled him to the Presidency

Freeport Doctrine

Doctrine developed by Stephen Douglas that said the exclusion of slavery in a territory could be determined by the refusal of the voters to enact any laws that would protect slave property. It was unpopular with Southerners, and thus cost him the election

Panic of 1857

A notable sudden collapse in the economy caused by over speculation in railroads and lands, false banking practices, and a break in the flow of European capital to American investments as a result of the Crimean War. Since it did not effect the South as b

John Brown's Raid

An attempt by abolitionist John Brown to cause a slave rebellion by seizing a weapons arsenal; however, it failed since no slaver knew about it. Caused south to believe northern abolitionists were all radical and militant.

John C. Breckinridge

The South's pro-slavery Democratic candidate in the election of 1860. Completed the split of the Democratic Party by being nominated.

John Bell

Presidential candidate of the Constitutional Union Party. He drew votes away from the Democrats, helping Lincoln win.

Secession

Term that is used when part of a country leaves the rest of the country to form their own country. The South's secession led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Jefferson Davis

American soldier and politician who became the first president of the Confederacy. Led the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Election of 1860

The election in which Abraham Lincoln was first elected President due to the schism of the Democrats. Caused a chain reaction of southern states to secede from the Union since they were afraid of Lincoln's policies.

Crittenden Compromise

A last-ditch effort to resolve the secession crisis by compromise. It proposed to bar the government from intervening in the states' decision of slavery, to restore the Missouri Compromise, and to guarantee protection of slavery below the line. Lincoln re

Matthew Perry

An American commodore in the navy, who made a couple trips to Japan. He forced the opening of Japan to western trade, and prompted a revolution against the shogunate. It also foreshadowed later American imperialistic foreign policy.

Frederick Douglas

Famous black abolitionist that escaped from slavery who would later right a narrative of his own life that described his life. He promoted the abolitionist cause and drew the line where evil must be denounced.

Samuel Morse

He developed an electric telegraph which allowed information to be transferred from one place to another by means of a strung wire using a dot-slash code. This was an early form of quick communication that helped tie people together regardless of distance

Commonwealth v. Hunt

A Massachusetts Supreme Court case regarding the issue of worker unions; it ruled that unions were not illegal conspiracies provided that their actions were honorable and peaceful. While this did not legalize the worker strikes, it was a milestone for lat

John Deere

American blacksmith that was responsible for inventing the steel plow. This new plow was much stronger than the old iron version; therefore, it made plowing farmland in the west easier, making expansion faster.

Cyrus McCormick

Irish-American inventor that developed the mechanical reaper. The reaper replaced scythes as the preferred method of cutting crops for harvest, and it was much more efficient and much quicker. The invention helped the agricultural growth of America.

Cumberland Road

A national road that stretched from Maryland to Illinois. It was the first national/interstate highway, and it was a milestone for the eventual connection of all the states by highways, thus increasing trade.

Robert Fulton

Inventor of the steamboat, which as a boat that had a powerful steam engine. These enabled boats to travel upstream on rivers, thus increasing trade while at the same time improving inter and state transportation.

DeWitt Clinton

Governor of New York who started the Erie Canal project. His leadership helped complete the canal, which boosted the economy greatly by cutting time traveled from west New York to the Hudson.

Cyrus Field

American businessman who laid the first telegraph wire across the Atlantic. This cut down the time it took for a message to be sent from Europe to American and vice-versa.

Eli Whitney

A mechanical genius who invented the cotton gin, which was machine that separated the cotton from the seed. This greatly improved efficiency, and the South was able to clear more acres of cotton fields, which also increased the demand for slaves.

Second Great Awakening

A second religious fervor that swept the nation. It converted more than the first. It also had an effect on moral movements such as prison reform, the temperance movement, and moral reasoning against slavery.

Joseph Smith

He was responsible for forming the Mormon sect of Christianity. This new sect was an American one and not European in origin as with all the other sects.

Brigham Young

The successor to the Mormons after the death of Joseph Smith. He was responsible for the survival of the sect and its establishment in Utah, thereby populating the would-be state.

Noah Webster

American writer who wrote textbooks to help the advancement of education. He also wrote a dictionary which helped standardize the American language.

Deism

Belief that held that God did exist, but man was responsible for building upon what was created. It would help promote scientific advancement as well as inspire Unitarianism.

Catherine Beecher

Female reformer that pushed for female employment as teachers; however, she still embraced the role of a good homemaker for women. She was an example of the fact that not all women were pushing for radical reforms.

Elizabeth Blackwell

A woman who challenging the taboo of professional women. She graduated from medical college, thereby proving that women are able to do what men can.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

American transcendentalist who was against slavery and stressed self-reliance, optimism, self-improvement, self-confidence, and freedom. He was a prime example of a transcendentalist and helped further the movement.

Henry David Thoreau

American transcendentalist who was against a government that supported slavery. He wrote down his beliefs in Walden. He started the movement of civil-disobedience when he refused to pay the toll-tax to support him Mexican War.

Walt Whitman

American poet and transcendentalist who was famous for his beliefs on nature, as demonstrated in his book, Leaves of Grass. He was therefore an important part for the buildup of American literature and breaking the traditional rhyme method in writing poet

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

American poet that was influenced somewhat by the transcendentalism occurring at the time. He was important in building the status of American literature.

Perfectionism

Due to the new liberal movements and religious fervor, many Americans believed that perfection was attainable. Therefore, a series of movements took place to perfect society, such as prison reform, temperance, etc.

Utopian Experiments

Due to the perfectionism occurring in the country, some radical groups attempted to create utopian societies based on communism and equality. These were just examples of the feelings felt by certain Americans that somewhat reflected the general perfection

Transcendentalists

Followers of a belief which stressed self-reliance, self- culture, self-discipline, and that knowledge transcends instead of coming by reason. They promoted the belief of individualism and caused an array of humanitarian reforms.

Reform Crusades

These were a series of movements designed to better American society. They included movements such as prison reform, temperance, and women's rights. While not bringing an immediate change, the reforms did act as a starting point for a series of changes la

Harriet Beecher Stowe

She was an American writer famous for Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was about the blackness of American slavery. Acclaimed in Europe and the North, the book furthered the abolitionist movement, and it was a cause of the Civil War.

William Lloyd Garrison

Ardent abolitionist that fought against slavery for moral reasons. His influence brought many people to his standard, as well as to oppose him. He created the Anti-Slavery Society. argued for immediate and complete emancipation of all slaves and founded T

The Liberator

An anti-slavery newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison. It drew attention to abolition, both positive and negative, causing a war of words between supporters of slavery and those opposed.

Frederick Douglas

Famous black abolitionist that escaped from slavery who would later right a narrative of his own life that described his life. He promoted the abolitionist cause and drew the line where evil must be denounced.

Immigration Patters

Due to the varied problems in Europe, distinct groups immigrated to America. First were the Irish, who were hated for their Catholicism and their taking of American jobs. The next group was the Germans, who faired better than the Irish due to the fact tha

Know-Nothing Party

A party which pushed for political action against these newcomers. They displayed the feelings of America regarding newcomers that were different and therefore, the double standard of the country.

Log-Cabin Campaign, 1840

This was William Henry Harrison's bid for the presidency as a Whig. The campaign attempted to gain the support of the population by portraying Harrison as a simple man who lived in a log cabin. Harrison ultimately won, and was the beginning of active camp

John Tyler

Vice-president under Harrison brought in to gain support of the South. His presidency was responsible for the veto against another Bank of the U.S and settled the Texas and Maine disputes in the country

Caroline Incident

An incident where an American steamer was attacked by the British. It caused a rise in tensions between the two countries.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty

settled the dispute over the location of the Maine-New Brunswick border between the United States and Canada as well as the location of the border in the westward frontier up to the Rocky Mountains -called for a final end to the slave trade on the high se

James K. Polk

He was the next American president after Tyler. His presidency is known for settling the Oregon dispute, granting Texas statehood, and winning the Mexican-American War.

Oregon Question

A dispute between the British and the Americans over the boundary of Oregon. However, it was resolved by declaring the 49th parallel the official border, preventing war yet again.

Texas Question

Dispute between those who wanted Texas to be immediately accepted as a state; and those who wanted to wait until there was a new free state ready to join so that the balance in the Senate would not be undone. It increased the tensions between the North an

Santa Anna

Mexican dictator who was in charge when war broke out between the Mexicans and Americans. He lost Texas to rebels, and was the leader of the armed forces during the war.

Samuel Houston

An American who went to Texas. During the Texan Rebellion, he was made commander in chief of their armed forces and ultimately defeated the Mexicans. He later served as president of Texas for two terms. He was influential in getting Texas its statehood.

Slidell Mission

This was a last ditch attempt to gain California for America. Polk sent Slidell to offer a maximum of $25 million for it, but it was rejected by the Mexicans. This prompted Polk to provoke war with the Mexicans.

Seneca Falls Convention

This was a meeting of feminists at Seneca Falls where the women mimicked the Declaration to include women and their grievances as well as demanded the vote. The convention started the feminist movement.

Samuel Slater

British mechanic who "stole" the plans of British machinery and used them to reconstruct a machine to spin cotton in NE. This started the Industrial Revolution for America and placed the North at the center.

John Fremont

American military officer, explorer, the first candidate of the United States Republican Party for the office of President of the United States First Presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform of opposition to slavery.

Bear Flag Revolt

A revolt of American settlers in California against Mexican rule. It ignited the Mexican War and ultimately made California a state.

General Winfield Scott

United States Army lieutenant general, diplomat, and presidential candidate. He was responsible for defeating Santa Anna. He also conceived the Union strategy known as the Anaconda Plan.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

was the peace treaty that ended the Mexican-American War The treaty provided for the Mexican Cession, in which Mexico parts of modern-day Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as the whole of California, Nevada, and Utah.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed that slavery be banned in land acquired from the Mexican War. The proviso pushed the country closer to civil war; it raised questions about slaves that had not been asked previously

Mexican Cession

historical name for the region of the present day southwestern United States that was ceded to the U.S. by Mexico in 1848 under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo following the Mexican-American War. this massive land grab was significant because the question

Underground Railroad

network of clandestine routes by which African slaves in the 19th century United States attempted to escape to free states, or as far north as Canada It allowed thousands of slaves to escape to freedom.

Harriet Tubman

Known as Black Moses or Grandma Moses, she was a black freedom fighter. She freed over 300 slaves including her parents on various trips into the south.

Compromise of 1850

Series of legislation addressing slavery and the boundaries of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. California was admitted as a free state, Texas received financial compensation for relinquishing claim to lands West of the Rio Grande riv

Fugitive Slave Law, 1850

) fleeing slaves couldn't testify on their own behalf, (2) the federal commissioner who handled the case got $5 if the slave was free and $10 if not, and (3) people who were ordered to help catch slaves had to do so, even if they didn't want to.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

A writer and relative of Catherine Beecher. Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe about a slave who's ordered to be beaten to death by two other slaves. Showed northerners the horrors of slavery while southerners attack it as an exaggeration, it was also a cause of the Civil War.

William Lloyd Garrison

Ardent abolitionist that fought against slavery for moral reasons. His influence brought many people to his standard, as well as to oppose him. He created and led the Anti-Slavery Society.

Prigg v. Pennsylvania

Supreme Court case in which Edward Prigg appealed to the US Supreme Court on the grounds that the Pennsylvania law arrogated the State powers over and above those allowed by the US Constitution The court held that Federal law is superior to State law, and

Liberty Party

a former political party in the United States; formed in 1839 to oppose the practice of slavery. Later merged with antislavery Whigs to form the Free Soil Party

De Bow's Review

a widely circulated magazine of "agricultural, commercial, and industrial progress and resource" in the American South. It convinced many southerners to join in secession.

Peculiar Institution

A euphemism for slavery and the economic ramifications of it in the American South. The term aimed to explain away the seeming contradiction of legalized slavery in a country whose Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal". It wa

Nat Turner

Slave in Virginia who started a slave rebellion in 1831 believing he was receiving signs from God His rebellion was the largest sign of black resistance to slavery in America and led the state legislature of Virginia to a policy that said no one could que

Hinton Helper

a Southern critic of slavery during the 1850s who wrote a book entitled The Impending Crisis of The South The book put forth the notion that slavery hurt the economic prospects of non-slaveholders, and was an impediment to the growth of the entire region

Free-Soil Party

A short lived political party that was against the expansion of slavery into new territories. They had enough people in Congress to influence certain decisions.

Ostend Manifesto

a document drawn up in 1854 that instructed the buying of Cuba from Spain, then suggested the taking of Cuba by force It caused outrage among Northerners who felt it was a Southern attempt to extend slavery as states in Cuba would be southern states.

Gadsden Purchase

the purchasing of land from Mexico that completed the continental United States It provided the land needed to build the transcontinental railroad.

Kansas Nebraska Act

An act made to decide if the Kansas-Nebraska territory would be slave or free by popular sovereignty. The dispute strengthened the rift between the north and south states.

Bleeding Kansas

A sequence of violent events involving abolitionists and pro-Slavery elements that took place in Kansas-Nebraska Territory. The dispute further strained the relations of the North and South, making civil war imminent.

Sumner Brooks Affair

During an antislavery speech, a Senator named Sumner insulted another congressman named Butler who was related to another Congressman named Brooks. Brooks beat Sumner with his cane as Sumner sat writing at his desk in the Senate Chamber. It showed how far

Lecompton Constitution

supported the existence of slavery in the proposed state and protected rights of slaveholders. It was rejected by Kansas, making Kansas an eventual free state.

Topeka Constitution

First attempt to establish a constitution for Kansas Territory. Angered pro-slavery people who claimed it was illegal. Started another dispute and led to "Bleeding Kansas.

Stephen A. Douglas

American politician from Illinois who developed the method of popular sovereignty as a way to settle slave state or free state. He helped passed the compromise of 1850 as well as giving the states the choice with popular sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty

Doctrine that government is created by and subject to the will of the people, who are the source of all political power. Helped decided the dispute in Kansas and Nebraska.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken to Illinois by his owner for several years, so he sued for his freedom; however, the court ruled that he could not sue since he was a slave. A key cause of the American Civil War.

Roger B. Taney

Fifth Chief Justice, he was the first Roman Catholic to hold the job and was pro-slavery. He wrote the decision on the Dred Scot case.

Lincoln-Douglass Debates

a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for an Illinois seat in the Senate. led to Abe Lincoln being elected to the senate and this experience later propelled him to the Presidency

Freeport Doctrine

Doctrine developed by Stephen Douglas that said the exclusion of slavery in a territory could be determined by the refusal of the voters to enact any laws that would protect slave property. It was unpopular with Southerners, and thus cost him the election

Panic of 1857

A notable sudden collapse in the economy caused by over speculation in railroads and lands, false banking practices, and a break in the flow of European capital to American investments as a result of the Crimean War. Since it did not effect the South as b

John Brown's Raid

An attempt by abolitionist John Brown to cause a slave rebellion by seizing a weapons arsenal; however, it failed since no slaver knew about it. Caused south to believe northern abolitionists were all radical and militant.

John C. Breckinridge

The South's pro-slavery Democratic candidate in the election of 1860. Completed the split of the Democratic Party by being nominated.

John Bell

Presidential candidate of the Constitutional Union Party. He drew votes away from the Democrats, helping Lincoln win.

Secession

Term that is used when part of a country leaves the rest of the country to form their own country. The South's secession led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Jefferson Davis

American soldier and politician who became the first president of the Confederacy. Led the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Election of 1860

The election in which Abraham Lincoln was first elected President due to the schism of the Democrats. Caused a chain reaction of southern states to secede from the Union since they were afraid of Lincoln's policies.

Crittenden Compromise

A last-ditch effort to resolve the secession crisis by compromise. It proposed to bar the government from intervening in the states' decision of slavery, to restore the Missouri Compromise, and to guarantee protection of slavery below the line. Lincoln re

Transcontinental Railroad

a railroad that connected the eastern United States to the western United States. The railroad firmly bonded the West Coast the Union, created a trade route to the far-east, and helped the western expansion

James Fisk

an American financier that was partnered with Jay Gould in tampering with the railroad stocks. He, like other railroad kings, controlled the lives of the people more than the president did and pushed the way to cooperation among the kings where they devel

Jay Gould

an American financier that was partnered with James Fisk in tampering with the railroad stocks for personal profit He, like other railroad kings, controlled the lives of the people more than the president did and pushed the way to cooperation among the ki

Boomer

settlers that were waiting for the government to officially open Oklahoma for settlement. Their haste helped Oklahoma by 1907; however, they showed that the frontier was slowly shrinking in respect to available land.

Sooner

eager settlers that jumped the gun to settle Oklahoma when the government declared the availability of new land. Their haste helped Oklahoma by 1907; however, they showed that the frontier was slowly shrinking in respect to available land.

Sand Creek

a massacre of Indians by federal troops just so that they didn't make any trouble.

George Custer

an American general/colonel that took part in the Sioux War and ultimately died in an engagement at the Big Horn.

Helen Hunt Jackson

an author who wrote A Century of Dishonor which chronicled the government's actions against the Indians. She also wrote Romona, which was a love story about Indians. Her writing helped inspire sympathy towards the Indians.

Dawes Act

This act removed the status of legal entity from the tribes, removed tribal ownership of land and gave family heads 160 acres. It also granted citizenship if they acted like good Americans for x number of years. The act attempted to make the Indians act m

Trust

an economic method that had other companies assigns their stocks to the board of trust who would manage them. This made the head of the board, or the corporate leader wealthy, and at the same time killed off competitors not in the trust. This method was u

Pool

an economic agreement between CEOs to divide business in a given area and share the profits. This was ineffective due to personal greed, but it deed lead the way to Trusts.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

a railroad owner who built a railway connecting Chicago and New York. He popularized the use of steel rails in his railroad, which made railroads safer and more economical.

George Pullman

the inventor of the Pullman Car, which was a luxurious train car for the rich. These cars helped convince the rich to take the train.

J.P. Morgan

a highly successful banker who bought out Carnegie. With Carnegie's holdings and some others, he launched U.S Steel and made it the first billion dollar corporation.

Gustavus Swift

He was a meat king that used a trust to get wealthy. It showed that wealth was dominating the common wealth.

Phillip Armour

He was a meat king that used a trust to get wealthy. It showed that wealth was dominating the common wealth.

Charles Pillsbury

He was the founder of Pillsbury & Company.

John D. Rockefeller

He was the richest man who developed the trust and created Standard Oil Company. He was ruthless in the world of business and controlled the petroleum industry. He influenced other businessmen to use trusts in order to obtain wealth, and he was an example

Alexander Graham Bell

He was an American inventor who was responsible for developing the telephone. This greatly improved communications in the country.

William Graham Sumner

He was an advocate of Social Darwinism claiming that the rich were a result of natural selection and benefits society. He, like many others promoted the belief of Social Darwinism which justified the rich being rich, and poor being poor.

Charles Darwin

He was a British scientist who was most famous for developing his Theory of Evolution. Besides making a great milestone in the world of science, his theory had an effect on society, which created Social Darwinism.

On Origin of Species

This book by Charles Darwin explains his theory of evolution and natural selection. This made his theory open and accessible to the public, marked a milestone in scientific achievement, and influenced the development of Social Darwinism.

Social Darwinism

This was a belief held by many that stated that the rich were rich and the poor were poor due to natural selection in society. This was the basis of many people who promoted a laissez fairee style of economy.

Russell Conwell

He was a Revered and a staunch advocate of Social Darwinism. He helped the justification of the rich and the need to not help the poor in his "Acres of Diamonds" lecture.

Andrew Carnegie

a steel giant that got where he was by vertical integration. He pioneered vertical integration as a way to run a corporation, and was an anti-trust advocate as well as a philanthropist.

Acres of Diamonds

This was a lecture written by Russell Conwell that advocated Social Darwinism It justified the rich being rich and the poor being poor and, it called people not to help the poor since it was their fault, thus promoting a laissez faire ideal.

Gospel of Wealth

This was a book written by Carnegie that described the responsibility of the rich to be philanthropists. This softened the harshness of Social Darwinism as well as promoted the idea of philanthropy.

William M. Tweed

Democratic boss of New York City in the 1860s; showed corruption in politics when stole $ millions

Old Immigrants

These were immigrants that came during the first phase of immigration (1840s) who were usually Irish and German. These people were second generation, which meant that they have assimilated into America, gotten into politics, and opened their own shops. Th

New Immigrants

These were immigrants that were recently arriving into America. These were unskilled laborers that filled the jobs no one else wanted.

Chinese Exclusion Act; 1882

This act permanently banned anyone from China to immigrant to the U.S. This was a display of how old immigrants used their status against new immigrants and the nativist feeling in America.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

This act banned any formations that would restrict trade, not distinguishing between bad and good trusts. The act was a hamper on worker unions, but it showed that the government was slowly moving away from laissez faire ideals.

United States v. E.C. Knight Co.

This was a case where the government sued E.C Knight Co. due a violation in the Sherman Anti-Trust Act since E.C. controlled 98% of the sugar refinement industry. The court ruled in favor of E.C. Knight, stating that manufacturing was not subject to the a

Scab

a non-union worker who usually worked for low wages. They were used as strike breakers since they were not part of a union.

Yellow Dog Contract

an agreement some companies forced workers to take that forbade them from joining a union. This was a method used to limit the power of unions, thus hampering their development.

Scrip

temporary substitute for money, securities, or other valuable claims. Business enterprises and municipalities have at times, especially when short of cash, paid employees in scrip, and communities have facilitated trade by using it.; forced workers to bec

William Sylvis

Leader of the National Labor Union; which was the first national labor federation in the United States, lead to Knights of Labor

Knights of Labor

national labor union that was open to nearly all workers. It was a secret society. They were open to all, therefore more equal than others, but more importantly, it gave them a large population, which led them to gain an 8 hour day after many strikes.

Samuel Gompers

He was the creator of the American Federation of Labor. He provided a stable and unified union for skilled workers.

American Federation of Labor

a union for skilled laborers that fought for worker rights in a non-violent way. It provided skilled laborers with a union that was unified, large, and strong.

Molly Maguries

They were a secret group of Irish-American coal minters that fought and protested the living and working conditions. Their violent acts led them to be removed, while damaging the reputation of unions.

Great Railroad Strike

A group of railroad workers on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad rose up and began to strike due to wage cuts. This spread up and down the railroad line across the nation. Railroad roadhouse was torched. Their violent acts led them to be suppressed by the g

Haymarket Riot; 1886

The riot took place in Chicago between rioters and the police. It ended when someone threw a bomb that killed dozens. The riot was suppressed, and in addition with the damaged reputation of unions, it also killed the Knights of Labor, who were seen as ana

Homestead Strike

It was one of the most violent strikes in U.S. history. It was against the Homestead Steel Works, which was part of the Carnegie Steel Company, in Pennsylvania in retaliation against wage cuts. The riot was ultimately put down by Pinkerton Police and the

Henry Clay Frick

was Carnegie's supplier of coke to fuel his steel mills as well as his right hand man. He was very anti-union. He was in charge of the mills when the Homestead Strike occurred. His decision to use strike breakers ignited the riot, and helped stain the ima

Eugene V. Debs

He was the president and the organizer of the American Railway Union. He organized the Pullman Strike and helped organized the Social Democratic party.

IWW

revolutionary industrial union organized in Chicago in 1905 by delegates from the Western Federation of Mine; unionized the non-unionized

Pullman Strike

This was a nonviolent strike which brought about a shut down of western railroads, which took place against the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago in 1894, because of the poor wages of the Pullman workers. It was ended by the president due to the inter

Solidarity Forever

This was one of the many rallying songs for unions. It helped rally people to Unions.

Horatio Alger

a popular writer of the Post-Civil War time period. He was a Puritan New Englander who wrote more than a hundred volumes of juvenile fiction during his career; the famous "rags to riches" theme.

Comstock Law, 1873

United States federal law that made it illegal to send any "obscene, lewd, and/or lascivious" � with contraceptive devices and information explicitly put in that category � materials through the mail An example of censorship in the United States. Also, th

National American Woman's Suffrage Association, 1890

American women's rights organization was established by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in May of 1890. This and other groups led to the nineteenth amendment: women's suffrage.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A social activist and a leading figure of the early women's rights movement Helped establish the National Woman's Suffrage Association

Carrie Chapman Catt

A women's suffrage leader, she was twice the president of the NAWSA She was one of the main people attributed to woman's suffrage.

Minor v. Happersatt, 1874

A United States Supreme Court case appealed from the Supreme Court of Missouri concerning the Missouri law which ordained "Every male citizen of the United States shall be entitled to vote." (a female wanted to vote) Decision of the supreme court case sai

Jane Addams

an American social worker, sociologist, philosopher and reformer. She was also the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and a founder of the U.S. Settlement House Movement.

Hull House

co-founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr who were soon joined by other volunteers called "residents," it was one of the first settlement houses in the U.S. and eventually grew into one of the largest, with facilities i

Walking Cities

compact cities and towns; an intermingling of residences and workplaces; a short journey to work for those employed in a variety of tasks; mixed patterns of land use; and the location of elite residences at the city centers Served as meeting places, open

Streetcar Cities

The separation between work and residence for the middle and upper classes was much more pronounced than in the walking city, as these groups increasingly fled the central cities for the suburbs Served as a living area for the more elite members of the Am

Dumbbell Tenement

Houses that poor people lived in, located in cities Showed some atrocities of American industrial life.

Chicago Fire

Was a conflagration that burned from Oct. 8-10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying several square miles in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S. disasters of the 19th Century, the rebuilding that began almost immediately spurre

Settlement House Movement

Starting in England, they were houses which connected the students of universities with their neighbors in slum cities. These houses helped education, savings, sports, and arts for people.

Waving the Bloody Shirt

It refers to the demagogic practice of politicians using sectionalist animosities of the American Civil War to gain election in the post bellum North from the 1860s to 1880s. Helped northerners get elected into office in post bellum years

Thomas Nast

A famous caricaturist and editorial cartoonist in the 19th century and is considered to be the father of American political cartooning. His artwork was primarily based on political corruption. He helped people realize the corruption of some politicians

Horace Greeley

An American editor of a leading newspaper, a founder of the Republican party, reformer and politician He helped support reform movements and anti-slavery efforts through his New York Tribune newspaper

Stalwarts

A faction of the Republican party in the ends of the 1800s Supported the political machine and patronage. Conservatives who hated civil service reform.

Roscoe Conkling

A politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He was the leader of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party. Was highly against civil service reforms, it was thought that the

Half-Breeds

term of disparagement ginned-up by the Stalwarts, was applied to the moderate faction of the Republican Party They backed Hayes' lenient treatment of the South and supported moderate civil service reform. James G. Blaine of Maine was the leader of this gr

James G. Blaine

A U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine and a two-time United States Secretary of State. He funded Bates college. He helped install the Blaine Amendments

Charles Guiteau

A U.S. lawyers and a stalwart. He killed Garfield and led to people thinking that Conkling killed Garfield

Pendleton Act, 1883

An 1883 United States federal law that established the United States Civil Service Commission, which placed most federal employees on the merit system and marked the end of the so-called "spoils system." Drafted during the Chester A. Arthur administration

Tenancy

An ownership interest in land in which a lessee or a tenant holds real property by some form of title from a lesser or landlord. Many Americans lived with this system in place (agriculturally). Many farmers became bankrupt under Tenancy.

Crop-lien system

Not having any money, they [Farming new freemen] could not buy land but instead worked a small portion of a large parcel owned by a single person. Many former slaves were tenants of the same landowner and each had their own section of farm to work on inde

Deflation

a decrease in the general price level, over a period of time. Helped America after the Civil War and helped America back on its feet after the Great Depression

Oliver H. Kelley

considered the "Father" of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry He built new foundation for American agriculture through the organization of the Grange.

The Grange

It was a farmers' movement involving the affiliation of local farmers into area "granges" to work for their political and economic advantages. The official name of the National Grange is the Patrons of Husbandry the Granger movement was successful in regu

Farmer's Alliance

Was an organized agrarian economic movement among U.S. farmers that flourished in the 1880s Despite its failure, it is regarded as the precursor to the United States Populist Party, which grew out of the ashes of the Alliance in 1889.

Colored Farmer's Alliance

Excluded on the basis of race from membership in the Southern Farmers' Alliance, the blacks formed a separate organization in Texas in 1886. The Colored Farmers' Alliance comprised both black farmers and farm workers. They were active in the publication o

Munn v. Illinois, 1877

A United States Supreme Court case dealing with corporate rates and agriculture. allowed states to regulate certain businesses within their borders, including railroads

Wabash case, 1886

was a United States Supreme Court case that severely limited the rights of states to control interstate commerce. It led to the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Limited States' rights

James Weaver

United States politician and member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Iowa as a member of the Greenback Party. He ran for President two times on third party tickets in the late 19th century. An opponent of the gold standard and n

Populist Party, 1892

The "People's Party," it flourished particularly among western farmers, based largely on its opposition to the gold standard. A Third party that had not existed for decades

Bimetallism

Is a monetary standard in which the value of the monetary unit can be expressed either with a certain amount of gold or with a certain amount of silver. The ratio between the two metals is fixed by law Helped McKinley win the presidency thanks to the gold

Bland-Allison Act, 1878

A United States federal law enacted in response to the Fourth Coinage Act that demonetizing silver. It was an attempt to bring back silver because gold was the only metallic standard before this act

Sherman Silver Purchase Act, 1890

Was enacted in 1890 as a United States federal law. While not authorizing the free and unlimited coinage of silver that the Free Silver supporters wanted, it increased the amount of silver the government was required to purchase every month It backfired b

McKinley Tariff, 1890

Raised imports to 48.4% The tariff was detrimental to the American farmers who were already greatly in debt. This is because if America raises the tariff on foreign imports, so will foreign countries raise their tariffs on American goods. Due to the fact

Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894

It lowered the McKinley Tariff Led to income tax

Jacob Coxey

A socialist American politician, who ran for elective office several times in Ohio. Supported and helped establish paper moneylead protest of unemployment from Panic of 1893

William Jennings Bryan

An American lawyer, statesman, and politician. He was a three-time Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States. Greatly supported and led the progressive movement and helped to enact the 18th amendment (prohibition).

Wright Brothers

Orville Wright credited with the design and construction of the first practical airplane. They made the first controllable, powered heavier-than-air flight along with many other aviation milestones, also showing the beginning of the individual progressive

Frederick Taylor

an engineer who first integrated scientific management with business. He became foreman of the Midvale Steel Company. He used mathematics to determine maximum industrial productivity, using time and motion studies to find what each worker should for the h

DuPont

Large company that produced explosive materials such as gunpowder and dynamite.

Eastman Kodak

Large company that produced photographic materials and equipment.

Jacob Riis

Reporter for the New York Sun who wrote How the Other Half Lives. Revealed the darkness of the slum areas, and influenced others to promote improvements and reform.

Theodore Dreiser

American naturalist who wrote The Financier and The Titan. Like Riis, he helped reveal the poor conditions people in the slums faced and influenced reforms.

Jane Addams

Prominent social reformer who was responsible for creating the Hull House. She helped other women join the fight for reform, as well as influencing the creation of other settlement houses.

Hull House

Settlement home designed as a welfare agency for needy families. It provided social and educational opportunities for working class people in the neighborhood as well as improving some of the conditions caused by poverty.

McClure's, Cosmopolitan, Collier's

Cheap 15 cent magazines that most people could obtain. They helped reveal the dirt about trusts, corruption, and other evils.

Muckrakers

Reporters who wrote articles for magazines such as cosmopolitan. They helped reveal the dirt about trusts, corruption, and other evils.

Lincoln Steffens

A writer for McClure's who wrote a series of articles titled The Same of the Cities. He unmasked in his article the alliance between big business and municipal government.

Ida Tarbell

A female reporter who published an expose on Standard Oil. Revealed the evils of Standard Oil Company.

Upton Sinclair

Writer who wrote The Jungle. While intending to reveal the plight of the worker, he revealed the unsanitary conditions where meat was created, which prompting Roosevelt to pass the Meat Inspection Act.

Initiative

Political power that would give the people (majority) to propose legislations. means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or

Referendum

Political power that would give the people (majority) to pass any law they pleased. This would bypass the boss bought state legislature completely.

Recall

Political power that would give the people (majority) to remove any elected official. This would enable the people to remove corrupted/bribed officials.

Australian Ballot

A new secret ballot that replaced the pre-printed ones. This made the voter's vote known only to him, and countered voting on account of bribes or intimidation.

Robert LaFollette

Governor of Wisconsin who was a militant progressive. He wrestled control out of the hands of corrupt corporations and perfected a way for regulating public utilities. helped found the National Progressive Republican League, which intended to unseat Taft

Uncle Joe Cannon

Republican who served as Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1911 who opposed progressive reforms. and wilson

16th Amendment

Authorized the collection of income tax. This made the rich pay their fair share to the government as well as allowing the Underwood-Simmons Tariff of 1913 to lower many tariffs

17th Amendment

Established that senators were to be elected directly. This law was intended to create a more democratic, fair society.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the non-medical sale of alcohol This amendment is the midpoint of a growing drive towards women's rights as well as showing the moral attitude of the era.

19th Amendment

Established that no citizen can be denied the right to vote on account of sex. Granted women the ability to vote.

Women's Christian Temperance Union

A militant female anti-alcohol organization. Helped influence the passing of the 18th amendment.

Square Deal

Progressive concept by Roosevelt that would help capital, labor, and the public. It called for control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources. It denounced special treatment for the large capitalists and is the essenti

Elkins Act

Fined Railroads who gave rebates and shippers who accepted them. It gave more power than the ICC to regulate the monopolistic railroads.

Hepburn Act

Prohibited free passes. Gave ICC enough power to regulate the economy. It allowed it to set freight rates and required a uniform system of accounting by regulated transportation companies.

Northern Securities Case

Roosevelt's legal attack on the Northern Securities Company, which was a railroad holding company owned by James Hill and J.P. Morgan. In the end, the company was "trust-busted" and paved the way for future trust-busts of bad trusts.

Philander C. Knox

Secretary of State under Taft who proposed that bankers buy the Manchurian railroads and give them to China. His idea was rejected by Japan and Russia, and showered Taft with ridicule.

Meat Inspection Act; 1906

Made it so that meat would be inspected by the government from coral to can. It began a quality rating system as well as increased the sanitation requirements for meat producers.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Designed to prevent the adulteration and mislabeling of foods and drugs. It gave consumers protection from dangerous and impure foods

Newlands Reclamation Act

Authorized the government to collect money from the sale of public land in the west to fund irrigation projects. It gave western lands better soil and insured that all natural resources would be managed by experts.

John Muir

A naturalist and conservationist. Founded the Sierra Club.

*Sierra Club

American environmental organization. Helped promote the protection of the environment and nature.

* Hetch Hetchy

a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in California.

Nelson W. Aldrich

Senator who led the reactionaries against the lowering of tariffs. Tacked on many upward tariff revisions on the Payne-Aldrich bill making Taft betray his low tariff promise.

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

Initially a tariff lowering tariff, but became a protective measure when compromises were made in the Senate. Harmed Taft's reputation (broke campaign promise of lower tariffs) and the unity of the Republicans.

Ballinger-Pinchot Affair

Affair where Ballinger opened public lands in Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska to corporate development and was criticized by Pinchot. Prompted Rooseveltians to protests, splitting Taft and Roosevelt, and the party.

John Mitchell

Famous United States labor leader, and was president of the United Mine Workers from 1898 to 1908. Helped incorporate ethnic workers into the UMW and got an 8 hour day and minimum wage for miners.

Tom Johnson

Progressive who reformed the political process. Reformed public ownership of utilities in Chicago.

Underwood-Simmons tariff

Tariff reduced the tariffs from the Payne-Aldrich Tariff to about 29% and included a graduated income tax. It was a milestone in tax legislation since it enacted a graduated income tax.

Federal Reserve Act

Legislation designed to stabilize the currency in the US. It split the US into 12 regions with one Federal bank in each region that could issue money under the authority of the Federal Reserve Board. It gave the government the ability to quickly increase

Louis D. Brandeis

Jewish Supreme Court judge nominated by Wilson. Showed that Wilson was a progressive man.

Pujo Committee

It researched and later reported on the concentration of money and credit over the general populace, which was in the hands of rich capitalists. This committee's findings later led to the creation of the Federal Reserve Banking system.

Clayton Act

Lengthened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act's list of practices that were objectionable and exempted labor unions from being called trusts Displayed the changing attitude towards labor unions.

Federal Trade Commission

Investigated the activities of trusts and stop unfair trade practices. Enabled the government to more easily kill monopolies.

Booker T. Washington

African American political leader, educator and author. Helped promote the need for blacks to economically better themselves.

W.E.B. DuBois

African American civil rights activist Created the NAACP.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case where Homer Plessy sued Louisiana which arrested him since he sat in a whites only section and he was 1/8th black. Officially declared segregation constitutional.

Birth of a Nation

Controversial but highly influential and innovative silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. It demonstrated the power of film propaganda and revived the KKK.