Vocabulary List 5
Chapters 9-12
Adams-Onis Treaty – Treaty that gained Florida for the United States.
Alien and Sedition Acts – Two acts passed by the Federalists to keep the Democratic-Republicans from
gaining power. The Alien Act made it so foreigners had to wait longer to become a citizen and the Sedition
Act said a person could be jailed for criticizing the government.
bond – Certificates that are sold to raise money. The buyer will receive more money in the future. They are
often sold by the government.
cabinet – The advisors to the President.
canal – Man-made ditch used for travel and trade.
capitalist – Person with money to invest in order to make a profit.
Clermont – The first successful steamboat. It was made by Robert Fulton.
continental divide – The high point of the United States. It is in the Rocky Mountains. Rain falling on the
continental divide will either flow into the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
corduroy road – A road made out of logs laid next to each other. They were bumpy but were better than a
muddy road in wet locations.
democratic – The idea that all people are equal and have the same rights. The west was the most democratic
area of the United States.
Democratic-Republicans – Political party that was in favor of strong state governments and a weak United
States government. It was led by Thomas Jefferson. Most Democratic-Republicans were previously
members of the Anti-Federalists and shared the same beliefs. Often called the Republicans.
embargo – Refusal to trade with somebody. The United States tried an embargo against England and France
in the early 1800’s but it was ineffective.
Erie Canal – It was a canal connecting Buffalo and Albany in New York. It was built in 1825 under the
leadership of DeWitt Clinton.
Era of Good Feelings – The time period when James Monroe was the President. The economy was going
well, political parties weren’t fighting and things in the United States were good.
factory – Place where machines and workers are brought together to make goods.
Federalists – Political party that wanted a strong central government. It was led by John Adams and
Alexander Hamilton.
foreign policy – The way a country deals with another country.
impressment – British practice of taking sailors off United States ships and forcing them to serve in the
British navy. It was a main cause of the War of 1812.
Indian Removal Act – A law passed in 1830 which forced many Native Americans to move west of the
Mississippi River.
industrial revolution – Period when machines replaced hand tools, and steam and other new sources of
power replaced human and animal power. Goods were being made in factories.
interchangeable parts – Machine-made parts that were exactly the same. This made the assembly line in
factories possible.
Jay’s Treaty – A 1795 Treaty where Great Britain agreed to pay back the United States for captured ships in
exchange for the United States paying backs debts owed to British merchants.
kitchen cabinet – The name of Andrew Jackson’s unofficial cabinet.
laissez faire – The idea that the government should keep its hands off business. In other words, the
government wouldn’t interfere.
Lewis and Clark Expedition – Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led this mission to explore the
Louisiana Purchase from 1804-1806. They traveled to the Pacific Ocean and back and were guided by
Sacagawea.
Louisiana Purchase – When the United States bought the land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky
Mountains from France for $15 million in 1803.
Marbury vs. Madison – 1803 court case which established judicial review.
Monroe Doctrine – James Monroe made this statement in 1823 saying that Europe should stay out of the
Latin America and the United States would defend these areas.
national debt – The money the government owes.
nationalism – Pride in your country.
neutrality – Not taking sides in a struggle.
Neutrality Proclamation – 1793 statement of George Washington that said the United States would not get
involved in the war between France and Britain.
nullify – To cancel.
Pinckney Treaty – Treaty with Spain in 1795 that allowed western farmers to trade in Spanish New Orleans
at the southern end of the Mississippi River.
political party – Group of people with the same beliefs.
precedent – An example set for later people to follow. George Washington set many precedents.
sectionalism – Pride in a person’s area of the country more than the country as a whole.
Seminole War – War where the Seminole Indians resisted being forced to move from their traditional lands
in Florida.
speculator – Someone who invests in a risky venture in an attempt to make a lot of money.
spoils system – The practice of giving government jobs to supporters. Associated with Andrew Jackson.
states’ rights – The right of states to limit the power of the central government by nullifying laws they think
are unfair.
tariff – Tax on goods coming into a country.
Tariff of Abominations – Name given to an 1828 tariff by the South. It made goods more expensive for
farmers in the South but helped northern industries.
turnpike – Road built by a private individual or company that charges a toll to travel on it.
urbanization – The movement of people to the cities so that city populations grew.
War Hawks – Congressmen from the South and West that wanted the War of 1812. A cause of the War of
1812.
Washington’s Farewell Address – Washington’s statement at the end of his presidency where he told
Americans to avoid political parties and entangling alliances. It set a precedent that later presidents followed.
Whigs – A political party which favored a strong central government. Many members were former
Federalists.
Whiskey Rebellion – A 1794 rebellion of backcountry farmers who were protesting a tax on whiskey.
George Washington put down the rebellion.
XYZ Affair – An event where the French foreign minister demanded a bribe to get him to talk to American
negotiators who wished to talk to him about France seizing American ships.