Chapter 8 and 9 Vocab - Social Studies

Precedent

a tradition

States’ rights

rights and powers independent

National debt

the amount of money a national government owes for its people

Sedition

Activities aimed at weakening established government

Unconstitutional

not agreeing or consistent with the constitution

Caucus

A meeting held by a political party to choose their party’s candidate for presidency or decide policy

Neutrality

A position of not taking sides in a conflict

Partisan

Favoring one side of an issue

Cabinet

A group of advisors to the president

Bond

A note issued by the government, which promises to pay off a loan with interest

Impressment

Forcing people into service, as in the navy

Alien

An immigrant living in a country in which he or she is not a citizen

Tariff

A tax on imports or exports

Implied powers

powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Nullify

To cancel or make ineffective

Judicial review

The right of the supreme court to determine if a law violates the constitution

Conestoga Wagon

large, broad wheeled, canvas covered wagon used by western settlers

embargo

An order prohibiting trade with another country

frigate

small warship

laissez - faire

policy that government should interfere as little as possible in the nations economy

secede

to leave or withdraw

nationalism

Intense loyalty to one’s nation or group

privateer

armed private ship licensed to attack merchant ships

tribute

money paid for protection

neutral rights

the right to sail the seas and not take sides

custom duties

tax on foreign imported goods