American Civil War The war fought between northern and southern states of America between 1861 and 1865. The main dispute behind the fighting was slavery, which the south depended on but the northern states wanted to end. Gradually the southern states withdrew from the United States (Union), forming their own union called the Confederacy, which fought for southern independence. In 1865 the Union army defeated the Confederates.

American Revolutionary War The struggle against the British government in America between 1775 and 1783, also known as the American War of Independence. The war was triggered by growing anger that colonists had no say in how they were governed but were still heavily taxed. After declaring their independence in 1776, the American army finally defeated the British in 1781. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris formally ended the war and recognized the USA.

Battle of Little Bighorn The battle of 1876 in which the Sioux tribe of Native Americans defeated the American government army, led by General Custer (1839–76).

Boston Tea Party A protest against British tea taxation on 16th December 1773, when colonists, dressed as Native Americans, boarded ships in Boston harbour and threw chests of tea into the sea. This increased support among colonists for a revolution against
the British.

Buffalo Large horned animals, more properly known as bison, that once grazed the plains of North America in vast numbers. The Native Americans hunted them for food and for their skins. Europeans hunted them close to extinction in the 19th century, destroying the Native Americans’ traditional way of life.

Confederacy The alliance formed during the Civil War by the 11 southern states that chose to leave the Union. It lasted from 1861 to 1865, under its president, Jefferson Davis (1808–89).

Continental Congress An assembly of representatives from the Thirteen Colonies in North America. They organized the colonies during the American Revolutionary War and issued the Declaration of Independence.

Corral A pen for cattle. It is also the name for a protective circle of wagons made by the pioneers as they travelled west. This was for safety in case of Native American attack. Tents were pitched inside the corral.

Cowboys Men who herded cattle from their pastures to the towns. Ranchers hired cowboys to move cattle to the railroads, from where they were transported to markets in the east.

Declaration of Independence A document that asserted the independence of the American colonies from Britain. It was drawn up by Thomas Jefferson in July 1776 but was not recognized by Britain until its defeat in 1783.

Emigrate To move permanently to another country. Millions of Europeans emigrated to the United States between 1840 and 1930. They included Irish, Germans, Italians and Jews fleeing famine, poverty or persecution.

French and Indian War A series of battles that lasted from 1754 to 1763. It is known as the Seven Years' War in Europe, where it began in 1756. During the French and Indian War, Britain and France battled over colonial territory in North America, as well as in India. At the end of the war, Britain emerged victorious, with control of a vast area of land, including a large portion of North America: what is now Canada and United States east of the Mississippi.

Gold Rush The rush of people to the west of America to look for gold in the 19th century. In 1848 James Marshall discovered gold in California. By 1849 over 90,000 men had flocked to the area hoping to make their fortune. Very few of them made any money.

Homestead Act A law passed in 1862, encouraging people to move to the Great Plains—the land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. The Act allowed the head of a family to obtain 0.65 square kilometres (0.25 square miles) of free land if he would improve it over five years.

Indian Removal Act A law passed in 1830 that allowed the government to move Native Americans from their homelands on the plains to land that the Europeans did not want. Many Native Americans fought bitterly against attempts to move them.

Lewis and Clark expedition An expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory newly acquired in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. They reached the west coast of America in 1805.

Lexington The town where the first battle of the American Revolution was fought on 19th April 1775. Fighting broke out when a group of British soldiers was caught trying to steal American military supplies.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809–65) President of the United States from 1861 to 1865. He became president when the country stood on the brink of civil war but led the Union army to victory and kept the United States together. He also helped to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865.

Louisiana Purchase President Jefferson’s purchase, in 1803, of the French territory of Louisiana, a vast area that stretched from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains.

Marshal An officer of the law, responsible for bringing justice to people accused of serious crimes.

Native Americans The people that lived in North America before European settlers arrived. Following the arrival of Europeans, imported diseases spread rapidly, killing millions. Many other Native Americans were killed in land disputes.

Oregon Trail A route west from the Missouri River to the Willamette Valley. During the 19th century, many settlers, farmers and miners followed the Oregon Trail west looking for free land. The journey was hazardous, and many travellers died.

Outlaw Someone who led a life of crime. Outlaw gangs roamed the American west in the second half of the 19th century. Trains and banks were frequent targets.

Pioneers The European settlers who journeyed west across America in the 19th century. The pioneers carried their belongings in wooden wagons pulled by teams of oxen.

Reservation An area of land where Native Americans were forced to live by the US government.

Sheriff A law officer appointed by a county. He acted as a local policeman.

Sitting Bull The Sioux chief at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He wore an eagle-feather headdress as a sign of his bravery. Sitting Bull was killed by American troops in 1890.

Trail of Tears The long walk that many Native American tribes (including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole) were forced to make from their homes in the southeast to reservations in the west. This was a result of the Indian Removal Act. Thousands died on the difficult journey.

Washington, George (1732–99) The first president of the United States of America. He led American troops against the British colonial army during the American Revolutionary War.

Wild West The name given to the American West in the second half of the 19th century. It was called this because there was little law and order. Fights and robberies were very common.

Consultant: Philip Parker