1. James Forten Key Vocabulary Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 3 – Voices of the Revolution © Brent Coley 2009 | www.mrcoley.com

2. See if you can correctly define the following vocabulary words.

3. If necessary, use the context clues from the sample sentences to help you.

4. abolitionists

5. abolitionists Sample Sentence: Abolitionists believed owning slaves was wrong.

6. abolitionists Definition: n. People who believed that slavery should be against the law

7. apprentice

8. apprentice Sample Sentence: After four years, the blacksmith’s apprentice was ready to work for himself.

9. apprentice Definition: n. Someone who works for another person in order to learn a trade

10. assist

11. assist Sample Sentence: I would be happy to assist you if you have trouble with your homework.

12. assist Definition: v. To help

13. captives

14. captives Sample Sentence: The soldiers brought the captives back to the fort and guarded them closely.

15. captives Definition: n. Prisoners

16. conflict

17. conflict Sample Sentence: The conflict lasted several years and cost the lives of thousands of men.

18. conflict Definition: n. A struggle; a war

19. dread

20. dread Sample Sentence: The roars of the approaching lions filled the villagers with dread.

21. dread Definition: n. Great fear

22. encourage

23. encourage Sample Sentence: Bill’s parents encouraged him to follow his dream to become a writer.

24. encourage Definition: v. To give support to; to inspire

25. enslavement

26. enslavement Sample Sentence: After years of enslavement, the men were set free.

27. enslavement Definition: n. The state of being owned and controlled by another person

28. influential

29. influential Sample Sentence: The man’s influential friends helped him rise in politics.

30. influential Definition: adj. Having the power to affect events or change opinions

31. privateers

32. privateers Sample Sentence: The privateers either sank or captured several ships during the war.

33. privateers Definition: n. Privately owned ships that are ordered by the government to attack enemy ships during a war

34. tacking

35. tacking Sample Sentence: The captain kept tacking, trying to capture more wind in the sails.

36. tacking Definition: v. Changing directions while sailing