Key Concepts of Antebellum America and Social Movements Vocab Quiz 4.2

Sectionalism

Different parts of the country developed unique and separate cultures (as the North, South and West). These differences often led to conflict.

Know-Nothing Party

They pushed for political action against Catholics and immigrants. They displayed the feelings of America regarding newcomers that were different and therefore, the double standard of the country.

King Cotton

By the 1850s, this agricultural product was by far the South's most important economic force.

Slave Codes

In parts of the Deep South, slaves made up nearly 75 percent of the population. Fearing slave revolts, laws were passed which restricted blacks movements and education.

Denmark Vasey

In 1822, he led a major slave uprising which was quickly and violently suppressed. However, it gave hope to enslaved African Americans, drove Southern states to tighten already strict slave codes, and demonstrated to many the evils of slavery.

Nat Turner

In 1831, he led a major slave uprising, feeling he was justified and supported by God. The scope and violence of the uprising struck fear to many in the South and led to stricter slave codes.

Chattel Principle

System of bondage in which a slave has the legal status of property and so can be bought and sold like property.

Gang labor

A system of work discipline used on southern cotton plantations in the mid-19th century in which white overseers or black drivers supervised enslaved laborers to achieve greater productivity.

Republican aristocracy

Old South gentry that built impressive mansions, adopted the manners and values of the English landed gentry, and feared federal government interference with their slave property.

Utopian communities

Founded by reformers and transcendentalists to help realize their spiritual and moral potential and to escape from the competition of modern industrial society.

American Temperance Society

Founded in 1826, by Protestant ministers and others, they encouraged total alcohol abstinence.

American Antislavery Society

Advocated the immediate abolition of all slavery in every state.

Horace Mann

Leading advocate of the public school movement.

Antebellum period

Years before the Civil War started in 1861.

Transcendentalist

They questioned the doctrines of established churches and business practices of the merchant class. Encouraged a mystical and intuitive way of thinking to discover the inner self and look for essence of God in nature. Artistic expression was more important than pursuit of wealth. They valued individualism and supported the antislavery movement.

Second Great Awakening

A religious movement that was a reaction against rationalism (belief in human reason). It offered the opportunity of salvation to all.

Cult of domesticity

After industrialization occurred women became the moral leaders in the home and educators of children. Men were responsible for economic and political affairs.

Gag rule

Antislavery petitions were automatically tabled when they were received so that they could not become the subject of debate.

Sojourner Truth

A United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women.