ABCTE MSE Social Studies Cram

Primary Source

Original document or artifact created during the time period studied

Secondary Source

Interpretation or analysis created after the time period studied

Chronology

Arrangement of events in the order they occurred

Cause and Effect

Relationship where one event produces another

Historical Context

Circumstances surrounding events that influence meaning

Federalism

System dividing power between national and state governments

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority among branches

Checks and Balances

System preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful

Legislative Branch

Branch responsible for making laws

Executive Branch

Branch responsible for enforcing laws

Judicial Branch

Branch responsible for interpreting laws

Rule of Law

Principle that laws apply equally to all individuals

Democracy

System of government where power is held by the people

Republic

Government where citizens elect representatives

Constitution

Foundational document outlining government structure and powers

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties

Amendment

Formal change or addition to the Constitution

Due Process

Legal requirement that government respect legal rights

Civic Responsibility

Duties citizens have to support democratic society

Limited Government

Principle that government powers are restricted by law

Market Economy

Economic system driven by supply and demand

Command Economy

Economic system controlled by central authority

Mixed Economy

Economic system combining market and government elements

Supply

Quantity of goods available for sale

Demand

Desire and ability of consumers to purchase goods

Scarcity

Limited availability of resources relative to wants

Opportunity Cost

Value of the next best alternative given up

Specialization

Production of goods based on comparative advantage

Trade

Exchange of goods or services

Gross Domestic Product

Total value of goods and services produced within a country

Inflation

General increase in prices reducing purchasing power

Geography

Study of physical and human features of Earth

Physical Geography

Natural features such as landforms climate and waterways

Human Geography

Study of population settlement and culture patterns

Latitude

Horizontal lines measuring distance north or south of equator

Longitude

Vertical lines measuring distance east or west of prime meridian

Map Scale

Ratio showing relationship between map distance and real distance

Region

Area defined by shared physical or human characteristics

Natural Resource

Material found in nature used to meet human needs

Renewable Resource

Resource that can be replenished naturally

Nonrenewable Resource

Resource that forms slowly and cannot be replaced quickly

Migration

Movement of people from one place to another

Urbanization

Growth of cities due to population movement

Cultural Diffusion

Spread of ideas customs and technologies between cultures

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of nations and economies

Historical Thinking Skills

Ability to analyze interpret and evaluate past events