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Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a national government and regional governments

silk roads

trade route connecting asia europe and africa

mongol empire

largest land based empire found by genghis khan

trans-saharan

trade routes across the saharan desert linking africa and the mediterranean

indian ocean

maritime trade network connecting africa , middle east , india and southeast asia

lateen sails

triangular sails that allowed ships to sail against the wind

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority comes from the people

Separation of Powers

The idea that the powers of government should be divided among different branches

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches

Individual Rights

Basic rights guaranteed to all citizens

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law

Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a national government and regional governments

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority comes from the people

Separation of Powers

The idea that the powers of government should be divided among different branches

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches

Individual Rights

Basic rights guaranteed to all citizens

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law

Republicanism

The belief that citizens are best suited to govern themselves

Democracy

A form of government in which the people hold power and elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government, where the people consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights

Impeachment

The process of formally accusing a government official of misconduct

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Three Branches of Government

The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws

Amendment

A change or addition to the Constitution

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual rights

Naturalization

The process of becoming a citizen

Civic Responsibilities

Duties that all citizens are required to perform, such as obeying the law and paying taxes

Unalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away by the government

Treason

The act of betraying one's country

Perjury

The crime of making false statements under oath

Indictment

To formally accuse or charge someone with a crime

Habeas Corpus

Legal protection against arbitrary arrest and detention

Double Jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same crime, which is prohibited by the Constitution

Self-Incrimination

The right to remain silent and not incriminate oneself

Right to Counsel

The right to have a lawyer assist in one's defense

Jury

A group of citizens sworn to give a verdict in a legal case

Verdict

A ruling or decision made by a court

Appeal

The process of appealing a court decision to a higher court

Autocracy

A system of government in which one person holds all the power

Empire

The theoretical political state of affairs derived from details based on European history

Oligarchy

Government by a small group of people

Anarchy

Absence of government or control

Republic

A state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled tom vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them

Theocracy

A government in which the ruler is viewed as a divine figure

Abolition

The action of formally ending a system, practice, or institution.

Ratification

The act of officially confirming or ratifying a treaty, contract, or agreement.

Emancipation

The action of being freed from slavery or oppression.

Naturalization

The process of making someone a citizen of a country.

Acception

The action of signing or consenting to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

Social contract

Agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits

Sovereignty

Having supreme power or authority

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force,or other means

Urbanization

The process of cities growing and more people moving into them

Human Rights

Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

literacy

The ability to read and write

Entitlements

Basic political and economic needs

Monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service

Boycott

The act of willingly abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as a form of protest or coercion

Protection

The theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports

States powers

Each state has certain powers and responsibilities, such as conducting elections, establishing schools, and regulating businesses within the state

Confederation

A system of government in which several states unite under a central authority but retain control over their internal affairs.