A
abolitionist
A person who wanted to bring about the immediate end of slavery
proslavery
Supportive of the practice of slavery
antislavery
opposed to the practice of slavery
expansionist
The practice or policy of territorial or economic expansion
demographic
Relating to the study of the characteristics of human populations
transcontinental
Spanning or crossing a country
unconstitutional
Not in accord with the principles set forth in the constitution of a nation or state
indentured servant
A person who is bonded or contracted to work for another for a specified period of time
speculator
Someone who invests financially in something with the possibility of great gains or losses
siege
The surrounding and blockading of a city or town by an army attempting to capture it.
repeal
To revoke
martyr
One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce his or her beliefs
treason
Violation of allegiance toward one's country
servitude
A state of subjection to an owner or master
free-stater
A settler who believed Kansas should not allow slavery
bushwhacker
Missouri settlers who raided antislavery settlements in Kansas
jayhawker
A free soil or Unionist guerrilla in Kansas and Missouri during the border disputes
border ruffian
Missouri settlers who crossed into Kansas to influence the outcome of the slavery issue in Kansas.
popular sovereignty
The concept that political or legislative power resides with the citizens
Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas territory became known as this due to the violence associated with slavery at the time.