General Vocabulary

 

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Confederation -   an alliance of independent states (or tribes)

Mercantilism - economic theory that a nation’s strength came from building up its gold supplies and expanding trade (Colonies are used as a source of gold and raw materials and markets)
Balance of trade - The difference in value between a nation's imports and exports
Cash crop  -A crop raised to be sold for a profit (tobacco,  cotton)

Legislature - a group of people with the responsibility of making laws for a nation or state

Boycott -  to abstain from buying or using

Bicameral Legislature - a lawmaking body composed of two houses

Militia - a body of citizens enrolled in military service for a short period of time ( citizen soldiers)

Speculator - a person involved in a risky investment with the potential of great profit

Assimilation -  the process of becoming part of another culture

Abolitionist - a person seeking the legal end of slavery

Sovereignty- absolute power of a state within its own territory

Levy - to impose (tax)

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•Consent of the governed – principle that says the people are the source of the powers of the government
Preamble to the U. S. Constitution– an introductory statement of fundamental purposes and guiding principles in which the Constitution is meant to serve

Commerce - interchange of goods or commodities, especially between countries or states

Ratification - formal approval of a document

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•Amendment -  a change in or addition to a legal document or constitution
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Federalism - system of government in which the authority is divided between the national and state governments

Appropriation -   an act of a legislature authorizing money to be paid from the treasury for a specified use

 Bill – a proposal presented to a legislative body for possible enactment as law

Domestic Policy – everything a nation’s government does in relation to internal matters•

Foreign policy – the actions and stands that every  nation takes in every aspect of its relationships with other countries; everything a nation’s government says and does in world affairs

Cabinet - a group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

Alien – citizen of a foreign country

Annex – to attach new territory to an existing area, such as a country

Sedition -  an attempt to incite rebellion against a national government

Dissent - to disagree with the goals of a political party or national government

Protective tariff - Tax on foreign products, designed to discourage Americans from buying foreign goods

Contraband - goods forbidden by law to be traded

Embargo - a ban on trade with certain countries

Nullify - to declare void and refuse to enforce, as an act of Congress

secession -  the act of formally withdrawing from membership in a group, organization or country

Enumerated - to give a list, such as powers delegated in the Constitution

Nationalism - a strong pride in one's country

Census - an official count of the people of a country

Spoils System - The post-election practice of rewarding loyal supporters of the winning candidates and party with appointive public offices.

Political Patronage -  the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one's party or political campaign.

Suffrage - the right to vote

Temperance - moderation in the use of alcohol

Civil Service - government jobs in which appointment is now based on merit instead of political patronage

Bureaucracy -  a collective term for all of the workers who run the agencies that do the everyday business of government

Habeas Corpus - the right of a person to appear in court so a judge can decide whether the person is being imprisoned lawfully

Martial Law - rule by military  rather than civilian authorities

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