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Glossary of the 1800s

In some ways the 19th century had its own language, as terms and events which would have been common knowledge 150 years ago have faded into history. On this page are links to definitions which will help to broaden your understanding of the times.
Abolitionist
Definition of abolitionist.
Antebellum Era
Definition of Antebellum Era.
Bleeding Kansas
Definition of Bleeding Kansas, a term coined by Horace Greeley to describe civil strife over the issue of slavery in Kansas in the 1850s.
Clipper ship
Definition of clipper ship.
Code Duello
Definition of Code Duello
Compromise of 1877
Definition of Compromise of 1877
Copperhead
Definition of Copperhead
Daguerreotype
Definition of daguerreotype.
Dime Novel
Definition of dime novel.
Era of Good Feelings
Definition of Era of Good Feelings
Fenian Movement
Definition of Fenian Movement.
Franklin Expedition
Definition of the Franklin Expedition.
Fugitive Slave Act
Definition of Fugitive Slave Act.
Knights of Labor
Definition of Knights of Labor
Know-Nothing Party
Definition of the Know-Nothing Party.
Land League
Definition of Land League.
Manifest Destiny
Definition of Manifest Destiny.
McCormick Reaper
Definition of McCormick Reaper
Monroe Doctrine
Definition of Monroe Doctrine
Mountain Men
Definition of mountain men.
National Road
Definition of National Road
Opium War
Definition of Opium War.
Oregon Trail
Definition of Oregon Trail.
Packet ship or packet liner
Definition of packet ship or packet liner.
Penny post
Definition of penny post.
Reconstruction
Definition of Reconstruction
Santa Fe Trail
Definition of Santa Fe Trail.
Scrimshaw
Definition of scrimshaw.
Transcendentalist
Definition of Transcendentalist
Transportation (as Punishment)
Definition of transportation as punishment
Van Diemen's Land
Definition of Van Diemen's Land.
Victorian
Definition of Victorian
Whig Party
Definition of the Whig Party.
Young Ireland
Definition of Young Ireland.

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