Identify who, what, where, when, and/or why the following are important:
1. American System
2. Surplus goods
3. Jethro Wood
4. James Watt
5. Turnpike
6. Savannah
7. DeWitt Clinton
8. "Mill Girls"
9. Twelfth Amendment
10. Sante Fe Trail

1. **American System**: The American System was an economic plan that played a significant role in American policy during the first half of the 19th century. Championed by Henry Clay, it aimed to strengthen and unify the nation with a focus on protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements (such as roads and canals). The system was important because it was designed to foster economic growth and self-sufficiency after the War of 1812.
2. **Surplus Goods**: Surplus goods refer to products that exceed the amount needed or demanded. In economic terms, having surplus goods can be important because it may indicate a productive economy. However, it can also lead to decreased prices and potential waste if the surplus cannot be sold. In the context of trade, surplus goods can be exported, which can be an important source of income for a country.
3. **Jethro Wood**: Jethro Wood was an American inventor who patented the first successful iron plow with interchangeable parts in 1819. His invention was important because it revolutionized agriculture, making plowing much more efficient and less labor-intensive, which in turn helped pave the way for the agricultural advancements that fueled the Antebellum economy.
4. **James Watt**: James Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution. His work, which he patented in the 1760s and 1770s, was important because it greatly increased the efficiency of steam engines, making them more practical for a wide range of uses, including powering machinery in factories and transportation.
5. **Turnpike**: A turnpike refers to a type of toll road, particularly those that were built in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The turnpike was important because it facilitated transportation and commerce by providing better and more reliable roads. Travelers would pay a toll for the maintenance of the road, which was often collected at a gate or "pike" that was turned to allow passage.
6. **Savannah**: Savannah is a city in the state of Georgia, USA. Founded in 1733, it was an important port city during both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Its historical significance includes a rich architectural legacy and a role in the cotton industry. Savannah continues to be an important economic and cultural center in the Southern United States.
7. **DeWitt Clinton**: DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as a United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and as the sixth Governor of New York. He was important because he was a major advocate for the construction of the Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean and significantly influenced the economic development of New York and the United States.
8. **"Mill Girls"**: "Mill Girls" were young women who worked in industrial textile mills during the Industrial Revolution in the United States, particularly in Lowell, Massachusetts. They were important because they were part of the first large-scale employment of women in the United States, and their labor helped fuel the industrial economy. The "Mill Girls" also played a role in early labor reform movements.
9. **Twelfth Amendment**: The Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1804 and is important because it changed the procedure for electing the President and Vice President. It was adopted in response to the election of 1800, which exposed problems with the original electoral process. The amendment requires electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President, helping to prevent electoral deadlocks and confusion.
10. **Santa Fe Trail**: The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, which was then part of Mexico. It was important because it served as a commercial highway for merchants and traders during the westward expansion of the United States. The trail played a significant role in the cultural and economic exchange between the American Midwest and the Southwest.