EOC Revised Vocab

civics

The study of the rights and duties of citizenship.

citizen

A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth.

civics

The study of the rights and duties of citizenship.

citizen

A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth.

government

The governing body of a nation, state, or community.

immigrants

People who come to live permanently in a foreign country.

aliens

Non-citizens who reside in a country.

natural-born

A person who is a citizen by birth.

naturalization

The legal process by which a non-citizen may become a citizen.

refugees

People who flee their home country for safety.

census

An official count or survey of a population.

demographics

Statistical data relating to the population.

migration

Movement from one place to another.

values

Core principles or standards that guide behavior.

monarch

A sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.

dictator

A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

direct democracy

A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.

representative democracy

A type of democracy where representatives are elected to make decisions.

republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter'.

constitution

A document establishing the fundamental principles of a government.

human rights

Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

confederation

A union of sovereign groups or states united for purposes of common action.

sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself.

Parliament

The supreme legislative body in a country.

federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

compromise

An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

ratification

The official approval of a treaty or agreement.

Federalists

Supporters of the proposed Constitution during the ratification debate.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the proposed Constitution during the ratification debate.

traditional

Existing in or as part of a tradition.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Preamble

The introductory statement to a Constitution or document.

limited government

A governing body whose power is defined and limited by law.

majority rule

The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.

delegated powers

Powers specifically assigned to a governmental authority.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

legislative branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

executive branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.

judicial branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting the law.

checks and balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

veto

The power of a president or governor to reject a bill passed by the legislature.

judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

amendment

A change to a legal or statutory document.

repeal

The action of revoking or annulling a law or act.

cabinet

A body of advisors to the president.

federal

Relating to a system of government in which entities such as states are bound together under a central authority.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual freedoms.

separation of church and state

The principle of keeping government and religious institutions separate.

self-incrimination

The act of incriminating oneself, typically in the context of legal proceedings.

due process of law

Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

eminent domain

The right of a government to expropriate private property for public use.

bail

The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial.

civil rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

poll tax

A tax levied as a prerequisite for voting.

draft

The selection of individuals for military service.

rationed

Controlled distribution of scarce resources.

jury duty

The obligation to serve on a jury when summoned.

principles

Fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief.

bicameral legislature

A legislature with two houses or chambers.

apportioned

Divided or distributed according to a plan.

gerrymandering

Manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party over another.

immunity

Protection from legal responsibility.

expulsion

The action of removing someone from a membership or position.

censure

A formal statement of disapproval.

sessions

Meetings of a legislative body.

caucuses

Meetings of members of a political party to decide policy or select candidates.

president pro tempore

A senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

whip

A party official who ensures party discipline in voting.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary for the government to function.

elastic clause

A clause that allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

impeach

To charge a public official with misconduct.

treason

The crime of betraying one's country.

bill

A proposed law.

appropriation bill

A legislative proposal to allocate funds for particular purposes.

act

A law passed by a legislative body.

filibuster

A political procedure where one or more members of a legislative assembly delay a vote.

pocket veto

An indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president by not signing it.

presidential succession

The order in which officials fill the office of president in the event of a vacancy.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech delivered by the president to Congress.

foreign policy

Strategies used by a government to manage its relationships with other nations.

diplomacy

The art of conducting negotiations between countries.

treaties

Formal agreements between countries.

pardon

The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offense.

ambassadors

Official representatives of a country's government.

visas

Documents permitting a foreigner to enter, remain, or leave a country.

bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials.

role

A function or part played by a person or thing.

neutral

Not supporting or helping either side in a conflict.

distinct

Recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type.

established

Set up on a firm or permanent basis.

crime

An act committed in violation of a law.

criminal law

A body of law that relates to crime.

civil law

Laws dealing with the rights of private citizens.

common law

Law derived from judicial decisions instead of statutes.

precedent

An earlier event or action used as an example for similar circumstances.

constitutional law

Law that involves the interpretation and application of the Constitution.

appeal

Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.