1850s

Tariff of Abominations

Nickname for the Tariff of 1828, which raised duties on imports to protect Northern industries but angered the Southern economy.

Bank War

Political conflict in the 1830s between President Andrew Jackson and supporters of the Second Bank of the United States, leading to the Bank's demise.

Nullification

The concept that states could invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, prominent during the Nullification Crisis.

Indian Removal Act

A 1830 law authorizing the forced relocation of Native American tribes from the Southeastern U.S. to west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears

The forced migration of Cherokee and other tribes to Oklahoma, where thousands died due to harsh conditions.

Whig Party

Political party formed in the 1830s opposing Andrew Jackson, favoring federal power and economic protectionism.

Panic of 1837

A financial crisis leading to a major economic depression during Martin Van Buren’s presidency, triggered by speculative lending.

Peculiar Institution

Euphemism for slavery in the antebellum South, highlighting its unique role in Southern economy.

Cotton Kingdom

Regions in the Southern U.S. dominated by cotton production, reliant on enslaved labor.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

An 1831 slave revolt in Virginia led by Nat Turner, intensifying fears of uprisings.

Second Great Awakening

A religious revival movement in the early 19th century that influenced various social reform movements.

Frontier Revivals

Religious meetings in frontier areas during the Second Great Awakening characterized by enthusiastic preaching.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical and literary movement emphasizing individual intuition and nature in the 19th century.

Temperance

A social movement in the 19th century advocating for the reduction or prohibition of alcohol consumption.

Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention held in 1848 advocating for gender equality.

Cult of Domesticity

19th-century ideal glorifying women's roles as homemakers and moral guardians of the family.

Declaration of Rights and Sentiments

Document from the Seneca Falls Convention asserting women's equality and demanding voting rights.

American Colonization Society

Founded in 1816 to relocate freed African Americans to Africa, establishing Liberia.

Abolitionism

Movement aimed at ending slavery in the U.S., advocating for immediate emancipation.

Underground Railroad

Network used by enslaved people to escape to free states or Canada, aided by abolitionists.

Sojourner Truth

Formerly enslaved African American abolitionist and women's rights advocate known for her powerful speeches.

Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalist writer and philosopher known for advocating civil disobedience.

Elijah P. Lovejoy

An abolitionist and newspaper editor killed by a pro-slavery mob, becoming a martyr for the anti-slavery cause.

William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionist who published 'The Liberator' and called for the immediate emancipation of enslaved people.

Frederick Douglass

Prominent abolitionist and writer, known for his autobiography and powerful speeches advocating for equality.

Manifest Destiny

19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent.

Oregon Fever

Mass migration of settlers to the Oregon Territory in the 1840s for fertile land.

Texas Revolution

Conflict between Texas settlers and Mexico resulting in Texas’s independence.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848 treaty ending the Mexican-American War, ceding vast territories to the U.S.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico, heightening sectional tensions.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that settlers in a territory should decide on the legality of slavery.

Free-Soil Party

Political party formed in 1848 opposing the expansion of slavery into Western territories.

California Gold Rush

Mass migration to California post-1848 gold discovery, spurring economic growth.

Compromise of 1850

Series of laws easing tensions between North and South, admitting California as a free state.

Fugitive Slave Act

Law requiring the return of escaped enslaved people, intensifying abolitionist opposition.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1854 law allowing popular sovereignty to determine slavery issues, repealing the Missouri Compromise.

Bleeding Kansas

Violent clashes in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers after the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Dred Scott

Enslaved man whose Supreme Court case ruled African Americans could not be citizens.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Series of 1858 debates on slavery between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

John Brown (Harper’s Ferry)

Abolitionist who led a failed raid intending to incite a slave rebellion.

Abraham Lincoln

16th U.S. president, led the nation during the Civil War and abolished slavery.

Secession

The act of Southern states leaving the Union, leading to the Civil War.

Republican Party

Political party founded in the 1850s opposing slavery expansion, became the party of Lincoln.

Charles Sumner

Abolitionist senator attacked in 1856 for his anti-slavery stance.

James Buchanan

15th U.S. president criticized for failing to address the secession crisis.

William Seward

Anti-slavery politician and Secretary of State under Lincoln, key to abolition movement.

John Tyler

10th U.S. president known for supporting states’ rights and Texas annexation.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Influential anti-slavery novel galvanizing Northern opposition to slavery.

James K. Polk

11th U.S. president noted for expansionist policies including the Mexican-American War.