Glossary (U.S. History)

Unit 1: Early America (1400-1763)

3: Religion in the New World

Europeans

native people or inhabitants of Europe

indigenous people

original or earliest known inhabitants of an area

Taíno

people native to the Caribbean islands, encountered by Christopher Columbus

Quaker

member of a religion that is peaceful and promotes kindness

Puritan

member of a strict religion that focuses on being good

Christian

follower of Jesus Christ, based on Christian beliefs and teachings

Muslims

follower of Islam, who believes in one God, called Allah

Unit 3: Creating a National Political System and Culture (1783-1824)

1: Made in the USA: Early American Industries

fur trappers

people who hunted and trapped animals, especially those with valuable fur, for a living

whaling

the practice of hunting and catching whales for various purposes

wool mill

place where wool, the soft and warm hair of sheep, is processed to make different products.

tobacco

plant that has leaves used for making products like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco.

cotton gin

machine that helps separate cotton fibers from the seeds.

textile

type of material that is woven or knitted to make fabrics.

slavery

system where people are treated as property and forced to work without pay

Unit 5: A Nation Divided and Rebuilt: Reform, Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction (1824-1865)

2: Women and Reform

reform movements

coordinated efforts made by groups of people to bring about positive changes in society

civil

the practice of being polite, respectful, and fair to other people

political

something that relates to the government and how decisions are made in a society

suffrage

the right to vote in elections

temperance

the practice of not drinking alcohol or using it in moderation

Dorothea Dix

19th-century activist who worked in reform movements for better treatment of people with mental health issues

Seneca Falls Convention

meeting that marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement and inspired many people to work towards equality for women

Unit 6: Reconstruction and an Expanding America (Reconstruction-1897)

3: Government and Public Responses to Immigration

immigration

the act of people moving from one country to another country to live there permanently, or for a long time

Civil War

war fought between the Northern states (Union) and the Southern states (Confederacy) from 1861 to 1865 over issues including slavery and state rights

Chinese Exclusion Act

a law passed in 1882 that prohibited Chinese immigrants from coming to the United States for a certain period of time

stereotypical

fixed idea or belief about a group of people that may not be true for every individual in that group

deport

to officially send someone out of a country because they are not allowed to legally stay there

emigrants

people who leave their own country to go and live in another country

political cartoon

a drawing that uses symbols and illustrations to make a point about a political issue

arrest

to put someone in custody for breaking the law

Unit 7: Challenges of a New Century (1898-1929)

4: Conservationism and the Creation of Our National Parks

conservation

the act of protecting and taking care of our natural resources, to make sure they are not harmed or wasted

Progressive Era

a time in American history when people worked to improve society by making positive changes in areas such as workers' rights, child labor, and women's suffrage

Theodore Roosevelt

26th president of the United States who served from 1901-1909, known as a leader of the progressive movement and his “Square Deal” domestic policies.

National Parks

areas of land the government sets aside to protect nature, wildlife, and cultural resources for public to use and education

Industrial Revolution

a period of rapid change and improvements that transformed society by introducing new industries and technology

preservation

the act of protecting and maintaining natural or cultural resources in their original state

tourists

people who travel to different places for fun, to experience new things, learn about different cultures, and see new places

testimony

a statement or evidence given by a person, usually in a court of law

Unit 9: Challenges of the Post War World (1946-1968)

6: The Creation of the Polio Vaccination

polio

a disease that often affects the muscles, making it difficult to move

epidemics

sudden disease outbreaks that spread quickly and affect a large number of people in a particular area

vaccine

medicine that helps protect our bodies from certain diseases by teaching our immune system how to fight them

immunity

the ability of the human body to protect and defend itself from infections and diseases so that we don’t get sick

Jonas Salk

20th-century scientist who developed the polio vaccine

smallpox

This is a very contagious disease that causes a fever and a rash. During the late 20th century, a successful vaccination campaign helped to eliminate it worldwide.

Unit 10: Democracy Challenged (1968-1980)

3: President Nixon and Watergate

President Richard Nixon

37th president of the United States who served from 1969 to 1974, known for his foreign policy work and later resignation due to the Watergate scandal

Watergate

a political scandal in the 1970s that involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters

impeachment

a process where a government official, such as the president, is accused of wrongdoing and can be removed from office if found guilty by a legislative body

public broadcasting

television and radio programs that are funded by the government or public donations and provide educational and cultural content for the general public

farewell address

a speech given by a leader, usually when leaving office, to express gratitude, summarize accomplishments, and provide advice or reflections on the future

demonstration

a public gathering or protest where people express their views and opinions about a specific issue or cause, often through signs, chants, or speeches

democratic

one of the two major political parties in the United States; also refers to a type of government where power is held by citizens who have the right to vote and participate in decision-making processes

Senate

one of the two houses of the United States Congress, where representatives from each state make laws and decisions on national issues