Chapter 14 Life in the North and South Vocabulary
Telegraph A device invented by Samuel Morse in 1844 that sent electrical signals along a wire
Locomotive (1829) A steam powered engine that pulled rail cars
Clipper ship A new type of ship that had tall masts and huge sails, which made shipping time much faster
Famine A severe food shortage In the 1840’s—Ireland suffered a Potato Famine which caused over 1.5 million Irish to come to America
Discrimination Policy or attitude that denies equal rights to certain groups of people
Nativists Americans who wanted to preserve the country for native born white citizens
Know Nothing Party Political party formed by the Nativists in the 1850’s—name came from the member’s saying “I know nothing” when asked about their party
Cotton Kingdom Large area of cotton plantations from South Carolina to Texas
Cottonocracy Small number of wealthy families whose views and ways of life dominated the South
Slave Codes Laws passed in the South to keep slaves from running away or rebelling
Underground Railroad A network of people who secretly helped slaves runaway and reach freedom in the Northern states or Canada