In Search of the American Dream: Politics and the US Government Structure

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the structure and dynamics of the U.S. government, major legislative changes, historical events, and the evolution of presidential power throughout American history.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws, comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Federalists

Individuals who advocated for a strong central government and supported the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Individuals who supported strong state governments and individual rights, opposing the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with powers to limit the others.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government.

Judiciary

The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution.

Woodrow Wilson

Democrat President from 1913 to 1921, known for his idealism and support of the League of Nations.

Prohibition

The legal ban on alcohol production and distribution in the U.S., marked by the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act.

Sedition Act of 1918

A law that allowed the government to silence dissent and deport individuals opposing World War I.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S., notably marked by McCarthyism in the 1950s.

Imperial Presidency

A term used to describe the modern presidency of the United States as characterized by greater executive power, especially in foreign affairs.

Korean War

A conflict between North and South Korea from 1950 to 1953, significant for the use of U.S. military forces without a formal declaration of war.

Vietnam War

A conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1955 to 1975, which heavily influenced U.S. politics and society.

McCarthyism

The practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in relation to accusations of communism.

Laissez-faire

An economic philosophy of free-market capitalism that opposes government intervention.

Isolationism

A foreign policy approach focused on avoiding involvement in foreign conflicts.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

Palmer Raids

A series of raids conducted by the U.S. government in 1919-20 to arrest and deport radical leftists, notably anarchists and communists.

Nixon's 'Hidden-Hand' Presidency

The strategy employed by President Eisenhower to manage public perception by deliberately appearing detached while controlling his administration's direction.

Counterculture Movement

A social movement in the 1960s that rejected traditional norms and promoted peace, civil rights, and environmental concerns.