7th Grade Social Studies Full Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major social studies units from the 13 Colonies through the American Civil War, based exactly on lecture notes.

reservations

Land set aside by the government for Native American groups to live on.

burgesses

Elected representatives in colonial Virginia’s lawmaking assembly.

representative government

A system where people vote for others to make laws and decisions for them.

fertile

Rich soil that is good for growing crops.

refuge

A safe place where people are protected from danger or trouble.

racism

The belief that people are grouped into ranked races.

mercantilism

An economic system where colonies provided raw materials and markets to make the mother country wealthy.

imports

Goods that are brought into a country from somewhere else.

charter

A written document from a ruler that gives permission to start a colony or organization.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement the Pilgrims made in 1620 to govern themselves and make fair laws.

debtors

People who owe money to others.

persecution

Mistreatment or punishment of people because of their beliefs.

cash crops

Crops grown to be sold for money, like tobacco, rice, or cotton.

exports

Goods that are sent out of a country to be sold elsewhere.

triangular trade

Trade routes across the Atlantic that linked Europe, Africa, and the Americas, often involving enslaved people and goods.

blockade

shutting down of a port to keep people or supplies from moving in or out

traitor

a person who betrays their country

grievance

a complaint

preamble

introduction

cavalry

units of troops on horseback

siege

occurs when army surrounds and blockades an enemy position

ratify

approve

mercenaries

troops for hire

unalienable rights

right to be free and choose how to live

guerrilla

hit and run tactics

natural rights

rights belonging to all people from birth

enlist

sign up for duty

constitutions

Documents that set out the basic laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government.

privatize

to move from public to private ownership

currency

money

cede

to give up

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution who favored strong federal government

Antifederalists

opponents of the Constitution who favored state power

bill of rights

A list of freedoms that the government promises to protect.

ethical

following accepted standards for conduct or behavior

compromise

A solution in which each side gives up some of its demands to reach an agreement

depression

period when business activity slows, prices and wages fall, and unemployment rises

amend

to change

inauguration

ceremony in which the president officially takes the oath of office

precedent

act or decision that sets an example for others to follow

cabinet

heads of executive departments that advise the president

foreign policy

nation’s plan of action towards other nations

neutral

not taking sides in a conflict

tribute

payment meant to show allegiance to a more powerful nation

expel

to push or force out

judicial review

power of Supreme Court to decide if laws passed by Congress are constitutional

inflation

rising prices for everyday goods

diplomats

an official representing a country abroad

laissez-faire

gov’t does not interfere in the market

tariff

a tax on imported goods

sedition

stirring up rebellion against the gov’t

suffrage

the right to vote

spoils system

the practice of awarding government jobs to friends and supporters

economic depression

period where the economy shrinks + many people lose their jobs

caucuses

private meeting to choose party’s candidate

nominating conventions

meetings where delegates from all states meet to choose party’s candidate

Indian Territory

land west of the Mississippi River reserved for Native Amer. forced relocation in modern-day Oklahoma

Trail of Tears

sorrowful forced journey the Cherokee marched westward in which thousands died

Manifest Destiny

“obvious fate” / the idea that the United States had the right and duty to expand westward across North America

Tejano

a person of Mexican heritage who lives in Texas.

annex

to add a territory to a country. Such an addition is called an annexation

converts

people who accept a new religion

cession

giving up land or territory, usually after a war

border states

“slave states” that did not secede

casualties

people killed or injured in a war or accident

ironclads

ships covered w/ iron for protection

Emancipation Proclamation

laws that kept enslaved African Amer. / running away or rebelling

total war

all-out attacks aimed at destroying an enemy’s army, its resources, and its people’s will to fight

ally

A person, group, or country that agrees to help another for a common goal.

writs of assistance

Legal papers that allowed British officials to search colonists’ property without reason.

propaganda

Information spread to shape people’s opinions, often exaggerated or biased.

militia

Ordinary citizens trained to fight in emergencies.

minutemen

Colonial militia members ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

patriots

Colonists who wanted independence from Britain.

repeal

To officially cancel or take back a law.

civil disobedience

Refusing to follow unfair laws without using violent methods.

boycott

To refuse to buy or use certain goods as a form of protest.

committees of correspondence

Groups set up by colonists to share news and plans about resisting Britain.

loyalists

Colonists who stayed loyal to Britain during the Revolution.