history notes

Standardized Time

Time that has been made uniform across different regions, primarily as a result of the railroad system development.

Daylight Savings

A practice where clocks are set forward by one hour during warmer months to extend evening daylight.

Electoral College

A system established by the Twelfth Amendment to ensure states are fairly represented in presidential elections.

Popular Vote

The direct voting process where individuals cast their votes for candidates.

Rocky Mountains

A major mountain range that extends north into Canada.

Continental Divide

The highest point in America, determining the flow of water to the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.

Hoover Dam

A dam that regulates the Colorado River and significantly impacts water allocation in the Western U.S.

Death Valley

The lowest point in the U.S. and one of the hottest places in the world.

Ninth Amendment

Amendment that protects individual rights not specifically stated in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

Amendment that affirms states' rights to govern themselves and disagree with federal laws.

Fifth Amendment

An amendment that includes protections against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Natural Rights

The rights inherent to all human beings, often referenced by John Locke as Life, Liberty, and Property.

Federalist

A supporter of a strong central government.

Anti-Federalist

A supporter of states having more power than the federal government.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, established by Marbury v. Madison.

Abolition

The movement aimed at ending slavery.

The Mason-Dixon Line

The geographical boundary that historically separated the North and South in the United States.

National Park System

A system that preserves natural areas for public enjoyment and conservation.

US Marshals

Federal law enforcement agency that has universal jurisdiction.

CIA

Central Intelligence Agency, responsible for gathering intelligence from outside the U.S.

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation, which addresses threats within the U.S.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, significantly impacting natural resources like water.

Electoral System

The method by which votes are translated into outcomes, such as the popular vote and Electoral College.