 | Term | Definition |
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caucus |
An unofficial organization or consultation of like-minded people to plan a political course or advance their cause, often within some larger body. " . . . the stiff-necked Virginian was formally expelled from his party by a caucus of Whig congressmen. . . ." (p. 231) |
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colossus |
Anything of extraordinary size and power. "Such a republic would check the southward surge of the American colossus. . . ." (p. 232) |
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dark horse |
In politics, a candidate with little apparent support who unexpectedly wins a nomination or election. "Polk may have been a dark horse, but he was hardly an unknown or decrepit nag." (p. 234) |
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deadlock |
To completely block or stop action as a consequence of the mutual pressure of equal and opposed forces. "The Democrats, meeting later in the same city, seemed hopelessly deadlocked." (p. not in brief) |
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default |
To fail to pay a loan or interest due. ". . . several states defaulted on their bonds. . . ." (p. not in brief) |
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indemnity |
A repayment for loss or damage inflicted. "Victors rarely pay an indemnity. . . ." (p. not in brief) |
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intrigue |
A plot or scheme formed by secret, underhanded means. ". . . the Lone Star Republic had become a danger spot, inviting foreign intrigue that menaced the American people." (p. 232) |
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mandate |
In politics, the belief that an official has been issued a clear charge by the electorate to pursue some particular policy goal. "Land-hungry Democrats . . . proclaimed that they had received a mandate from the voters to take Texas." (p. 235) |
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no-man’s-land |
A territory to which neither of two disputing parties has clear claim and where they may meet as combatants. ". . . Polk was careful to keep American troops out of virtually all of the explosive no-man’s-land between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. . . ." (p. 236) |
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parallel |
In geography, the imaginary lines parallel to the earth’s equator, marking latitude. (There are 360 degrees of latitude on the globe.) " . . . the United States had sought to divide the vast domain at the forty-ninth parallel." (p. 234) |
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platform |
The campaign document stating a party’s or candidate’s position on the issues, and upon which they "stand" for election. "Polk . . . had no intention of insisting on the . . . pledge of his own platform." (p. 235) |
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protectorate |
The relation of a strong nation to a weak one under its control and protection. ". . . Texas was driven to open negotiations . . . in the hope of securing the defensive shield of a protectorate." (p. 232) |
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repudiate |
To refuse to accept responsibility for paying a bill or debt. "When . . . several states . . . repudiated [their bonds] openly, honest English citizens assailed Yankee trickery." (p. not in brief) |
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resolution |
In government, a formal statement of policy or judgment by a legislature, but requiring no legal statute. "He therefore arranged for annexation by a joint resolution." (p. 233) |
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royalty |
The share of the proceeds from work paid to an inventor, author, composer, and so on. ". . . they were being denied rich royalties by the absence of an American copyright law." (p. not in brief) |
| Add or remove terms from this set |
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