Abolitionist
/ˌabəˈliSHənəst/ noun
A person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery.

Confederate
/kənˈfed(ə)rət/ adjective
Joined by an agreement or treaty.
/kənˈfed(ə)rət/ noun
In U.S. history, relating to the Southern states that seceded from the United States during the Civil War.

Martyr
/ˈmärdər/ noun
A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.

Secede
/səˈsēd/ verb
Withdraw formally from membership of a federal union, an alliance, or a political or religious organization.

Territory
/ˈterəˌtôrē/ noun
An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.

Boomtown
/ˈboom ˌtoun/ noun
A town undergoing rapid growth due to sudden prosperity.

Gold Rush
/ˈɡōld ˌrəSH/ noun
A rapid movement of people to a newly discovered goldfield.

Isthmus
/ˈis(TH)məs/ noun
A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.

Pan
/pan/ verb
A method of searching for gold using a shallow pan to wash away lighter materials.

Prospector
/ˈpräˌspektər/ noun
A person who searches for mineral deposits, especially by drilling and excavation.

Chain gang
/ˈCHān ˌɡaNG/ noun
A group of convicts chained together while working outside the prison.

Irrigation
/ˌirəˈɡāSH(ə)n/ noun
The supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels.

Plaza
/ˈpläzə,ˈplazə/ noun
a public square, marketplace, or similar open space in a built-up area.

Prefabricate
/prēˈfabrəˌkāt/ verb
manufacture (a building or piece of furniture) in sections to enable assembly on site.

Surveyor
/sərˈvāər/ noun
a person who surveys, especially one whose profession is the surveying of land.