� The southern states wanted to secede from the U.S. in the 1850s.
Confederation- n. (Also: confederacy, confederate) a group of people, political parties, or organizations that have united in order to achieve an aim while maintaining their individual interests.
� The confederation of nations on the Mediterranean joined together to fight pirates, but still argued over international trade laws.
Emancipate- n. (Also: emancipation, emancipated) Formal to make someone free from social, political, or legal rules that limit what s/he can do.
� When Juanita turned 18 years old, she became emancipated from her parents and go do as she pleased.
Resolution- n. 1. a formal or official decision agreed on by a group, especially after a vote:
� A Congressional resolution allowed the U.S. to enter the war.
2. the final solution to a problem or difficulty:
� They worked hard to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Significance- n. the importance or meaning of something, especially something that might affect you in the future:
� The professor explained the historical significance of the battle.
Contrast- v. to compare two people, ideas, objects, etc. to show how they are different from each other:
� In another passage, Melville again contrasts the land with the sea.
Typical- adj. having the usual features or qualities of a particular thing, person, or group:
� At age 2, the typical child talks in two-word sentences.
Outcome- n. the final result of a meeting, process, etc.:
� We were eager to know what the outcome of the experiment would be.
Essential- adj. important and necessary:
� Good food is essential for your health.
Autobiography- n. a book that someone writes about his/her own life
� The autobiography of the movie star�s life told all the juicy secrets of her young life.
Carpetbagger- n. A Northerner who went to the South after the Civil War for political or financial advantage.
� The carpetbagger hoped to make some money in South Carolina by taking advantage of the newly freed slaves.
Scalawag- n. A white Southerner working for or supporting the federal government during Reconstruction.
� Harry Turtle became a scalawag when he worked hard to create reform in Georgia after the Civil War.
Sharecropper- n. tenant farmer who gives a share of the crops raised to the landlord in lieu of rent.
� Thomas and Anita started their new life together as sharecroppers, paying their rent with corn instead of coin.