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Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 and later patent in 1794 to separated cotton seeds from the cotton fiber. Eli came up with the idea after he saw slaves using a comb-like tool to clean cotton. Whitney’s cotton gin was the first concept of mass production. -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise governed how slavery was managed and new states admitted to the Union. It helped to keep the nation together during states tensions over slavery. The Compromise allowed The United States Congress to control the allowance of slavery in the United States for the next three decades. -
Monroe Doctrine
John Quincy Adams was the author of this U.S. foreign policy which stated that any continuing efforts by European nations to colonize American continental states would be considered an act of aggression and would require US intervention. The United States also would not interfere or involve itself in European affairs nor inhibit the existing European colonies in the Western Hemisphere. -
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Jacksonian Democracy
A movement led by President Andrew Jackson for more democracy in the American government. The crusade advocated more rights for the common man and opposed the idea that only the upper class should be in government. Jackson believed the common man should have more influence in the political process. The movement backed the American Indians in their fight to gain rights as citizens and encouraged better relationships between the United States and foreign countries and destroying the Second Bank. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
On August 21, 1831 Nat Turner, a slave, let the only successful slave rebellion ever to take place in the U.S. Turner and his followers started a revolt by killing the Travis family who owned him. The slaves killed over 60 people and 51 of them were white. Turner’s actions terrified the white south, therefore resulted in more oppressive education and anti-abolitionist legislation. The rebellion played a significant role in the growth of antebellum (southern) slave society. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise was a temporary truce to address the fate of the newly acquired territory after the Mexican American War and the slavery issues. The Compromise allowed California into the Union as a free state. Washington D.C. decided to outlaw the slave trade, but the Fugitive Slave Act almost forced citizens of the free states to help capture enslaved Africans. Other territories like New Mexico and Utah made laws allowing their white residents to decide whether to allow slavery.
