Economic and Social Changes in the Antebellum Era

Antebellum Era

Period before the Civil War marked by economic changes.

Market Revolution

Increased market engagement leading to capitalism growth.

Transportation Revolution

Advancements in canals and railroads enhancing transport.

Industrialization

Rise of factories and labor-intensive industries.

Cotton Boom

Surge in cotton production driving Southern economy.

Eli Whitney

Inventor of the cotton gin, boosting efficiency.

Urbanization

Growth of cities due to economic changes.

Immigration

Inflow of people contributing to Northern labor force.

Irish Immigrants

Fled potato famine, became laborers in the North.

German Immigrants

Runaway revolutionaries who took educational jobs.

Nativism

Belief in superiority of native-born Americans.

Reform Movements

Efforts to improve society and democratic values.

Women's Suffrage

Movement advocating for women's voting rights.

Temperance

Movement aimed at banning alcohol consumption.

Abolitionist Movements

Campaigns for the freedom of enslaved people.

True Abolitionists

Believed in the moral imperative of freedom.

Missouri Compromise

1820 agreement admitting Missouri as a slave state.

Compromise of 1850

Established California as free, allowed popular sovereignty.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Overturned Missouri Compromise, applied popular sovereignty.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in divine right to expand westward.

Texas Revolution

1836 rebellion against Mexico for slaveholder rights.

Mexican-American War

Conflict leading to U.S. acquisition of Texas.

Planters

Wealthy plantation owners preserving Southern traditions.

Yeoman Farmers

Non-wealthy landowners aspiring to be planters.

Free Blacks

Individuals outside plantation system contributing to urbanization.

Secession

Withdrawal of Southern states from the Union.

Lincoln's Presidency

Election of 1860 leading to Southern opposition.

Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln's order abolishing slavery during the war.

Reconstruction

Efforts to reunite the nation post-Civil War.

Black Codes

Laws restricting rights of freed slaves.

Military Reconstruction Act

Military supervision of elections for fairness.

KKK

Group using violence to suppress black voting.