Slavery Definition: Slavery The practice of owning slaves. A practice in which one human being (white American) owns another human being (African or African-American). Slaves were taken from Africa and brought to America to work against their will for white plantation (southern-farm) owners. Examples of slavery in a sentence: During the American Civil War, the Union (the North) fought to end the practice of slavery. African American slaves were treated badly by their owners. President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery in America.

Free State Definition: A state in which slavery was not allowed. Example of free state in a sentence. Maine entered the Union as a free state after Congress agreed to the Missouri Compromise.

Slave State Definition: A state in which slavery was allowed. Example of slave state in a sentence. The slave states were afraid that Abraham Lincoln would end slavery when he was elected President of the United States in 1860.

Compromise Definition: Example of compromise in a sentence. When two sides agree to give up some demands in order to meet somewhere in the middle on a problem. Example of compromise in a sentence. Joe wanted to hang out with his friends until midnight, but his parents wanted him home by 10 PM. Joe and his parents agreed that he could hang out with his friends until 11 PM, they made a compromise.

Missouri Compromise Definition: An agreement made in 1820 between Northern (pro-slavery) lawmakers and Southern (anti-slavery) law-makers concerning the extension of slavery in the territories. Example of Missouri Compromise in a sentence. The Missouri Compromise allowed Maine to enter the Union as a free state, Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, and drew an imaginary line across the territories. Territories above the line could enter the Union as a free state. Territories below the line could enter the Union as a slave state.

The Union (pre-Civil War) Definition: A term used to describe the United States during the nineteenth century. The United States was a union of states. Example of the union in a sentence. When a territory met the requirements to become a state, it joined the union.

Sectionalism Definition: A loyalty to one region of the country instead of the entire country. Example of sectionalism in a sentence. One of the main causes of the civil war was sectionalism. People in the North and South felt a greater loyalty to their region than to the United States.

Region Definition: A large space or area of a country. Example of region in a sentence. If we live in New York, we live in the northeast region of the country.

Slave Trade Definition: The buying or selling of African or African American slaves by white Americans. Example of slave trade in a sentence. The Compromise of 1850 ended the slave trade in the nation’s capitol (Washington D.C.).

Fugitive Slave Law Definition: Northerners were forced to arrest runaway slaves, and give them back to southern slave owners. Example of the fugitive slave law in a sentence. Americans living in the North did not like the fugitive slave law, they wanted slavery to end.

Popular Sovereignty Definition: A system that allowed people in a territory to make their own decision about slavery. (If they would become a free state or slave state.) Example of popular sovereignty in a sentence. Popular sovereignty allowed people living in the Mexican territories to decide if they wanted their territory to become a free state or slave state.

Abolitionist Definition: A person who wanted to end slavery in the United States. Example of abolitionist in a sentence. Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass were two African Americans who escaped slavery and became abolitionists.

The Underground Railroad Definition: A network of secret escape routes enslaved African Americans followed to reach freedom in the North. Example of the Underground Railroad in a sentence. Harriet Tubman was a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Definition: An act made by Congress that allowed Americans to settle in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The act also stated that popular sovereignty would be used to determine if Kansas and Nebraska would become free states or slave states. Example of Kansas-Nebraska Act in a sentence. The Kansas-Nebraska Act is an example of popular sovereignty.

Extremist Definition: A person with a very strong political view on a topic. Extremists can sometimes become violent and harm those who do not support their beliefs. Example of extremist in a sentence. Terrorists are examples of extremists in the twenty-first century.

“Bleeding Kansas” Definition: The term used to describe the violence caused by pro-slavery and anti-slavery extremists after the vote on slavery in the territory of Kansas. Example of “Bleeding Kansas” in a sentence. More than 200 people were killed in the violence caused by pro-slavery and anti-slavery extremists in “Bleeding Kansas.”

Rebellion Definition: When a person or group of people start an uprising (fight) against a government. Example of rebellion in a sentence. John Brown raided a United States Army building to steal weapons. He wanted to give these weapons to slaves in the South and start a slave rebellion.

Treason Definition: A crime against the United States government. Example of treason in a sentence. John Brown was charged with treason for attacking a United States Army building at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.

Secede Definition: To leave or break away from the United States. Example of secede in a sentence. South Carolina seceded from the United States after Abraham Lincoln was elected president.