1. Chapter 14 Life in the North and South Vocabulary

2. Telegraph
A device invented by Samuel Morse in 1844 that sent electrical signals along a wire

3. Locomotive
(1829) A steam powered engine that pulled rail cars

4. Clipper ship
A new type of ship that had tall masts and huge sails, which made shipping time much faster

5. 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

6. Discrimination
Policy or attitude that denies equal rights to certain groups of people

7. Nativists
Americans who wanted to preserve the country for native born white citizens

8. 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

9. Cotton Kingdom
Large area of cotton plantations from South Carolina to Texas

10. Cottonocracy
Small number of wealthy families whose views and ways of life dominated the South

11. Slave Codes
Laws passed in the South to keep slaves from running away or rebelling

12. Underground Railroad
A network of people who secretly helped slaves runaway and reach freedom in the Northern states or Canada