Key Terms in History and Government: Definitions and Concepts

Conservative

Traditional values, resistant to change, limited government. Often a conservative is someone in a position of power.

Liberal

Someone typically open to new ideas and change, social progress, and individual liberties.

Primary Source

An original, first-hand account of an event typically delivered by the person who experienced it. Anne Frank's Diary.

Reign

To rule as someone in power. Kings/Queens reign.

Dynasty

A line of rulers who stem from the same family line. The Song Dynasty.

Administrate (tion)

The process of running, managing, or organizing a business or government. The day-to-day activities required to make the organization function.

Agriculture

The process of growing crops and raising livestock like sheep, cows, or pigs.

Economy

The system of exchange of goods or services, whether buying, selling, or trading.

Region

An area that shares common features, whether geographic, political, and/or cultural.

Ideology

A shared system of values or beliefs that shapes how groups view the world.

Sovereignty

Being independent or self-governing. An autonomous unit.

State

A governing political body including people and a set boundary.

Commerce

Large-scale buying and selling of goods, typically between different places like countries or businesses.

Annex

To add or take over a piece of land. The US annexed Hawaii islands.

Context

The background, setting, or circumstances surrounding an event. A back story.

Hierarchy

A system in which things or people are ranked from top to bottom. The caste system is a social hierarchy.

Evidence

Facts, data, or objects used to support a claim / back up an argument.

Sedentary

The act of staying stationary, not moving.

Realm

A territory under the control of a ruler. Similar to a kingdom.

Maritime

Dealing with the sea or shipping.

Bureaucracy

a complex system of officials and rules used to manage an organization, government, or business.