Vocabulary

1.anti-trust law-law passed to limit the power of business monopolies, to protect trade and commerce from unfair business practices. 2.bauxite- the raw ore from which aluminum is derived 3.Bolshevik-a member of the political party in Russia responsible for the Russian Revolution of 1917; commonly used to mean the same thing as communist. 4.demagogue-a person who gets power by stirring up the fears and biases of the public 5.draft-government selection of individual young men for service in the nation's armed forces without their having any choice in the matter. 6.hookworm- a parasite that lives in its victim's intestines and that can enter the body through bare feet. 7.illiteracy- the inability to read and write. 8.initiative-the power of citizens to create a new law by obtaining enough signatures on a petition to place the proposed law on the ballot for a popular vote. 9.manganese-a hard metal used to strengthen steel. 10.monopoly- a company that controls all the business in its industry, operating without any competition; also known as "trust". 11.pellagra- a chronic disease of hte skin and digestive tract caused by deficiencies fo protein and niacin (vitamin B). 12.posse- a band of citizens authorized by law enforcement officers to assist in the search for and arrest of suspected criminals. 13.Progressive movement- social reform movement of the early twentieth century aimed at improving health care, education, working conditions (especially concerning child labor), prisons, and other social instiitutions. 14.Red Scare- widespread fear of a communist takeover in the United States. 15.referendum- the ability of the legislature to place laws or proposed laws before the general public for a popular vote. 16.suffrage-the right to vote. 17.tribune- a Roman official who protected ordinary citizens from harmful acts of more powerful, influencial members of society; a defender of the people. 18.verdict- in a trial, the jury's judgement about the guilt or innocence of the accused party. 19.veto- one vote that overrules the votes of others. A governor may veto acts passed by the state legislature as the president may veto acts passed by Congress. 20."wool hat boys"- term Jeff Davis used to describe the common hill folks and families who supported him; they wore wool hats instead of stylish and expensive silk and felt hats.