USA – Background Information, History, Politics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the USA's background information, history, and politics.

to sue

to take legal action against someone.

occurrence

an event that happens.

rural side

refers to the countryside or less populated areas.

jeopardy

exposure to danger or risk.

to jeopardize

to put something at risk.

genuinely

truly or sincerely.

to justify

to provide reasons for an action or decision.

justification

the action of showing something to be right or reasonable.

Great Depression

the severe worldwide economic crisis of the 1930s, starting in 1929.

monolithic culture

a culture that is unchanging or rigid.

secession

the action of withdrawing formally from membership in a federation.

to secede

to withdraw formally from an organization.

pioneer spirit

the attitude of being adventurous or willing to explore.

national identity

a sense of a nation as a cohesive whole.

diverse population

a population made up of various cultural, ethnic, and social groups.

mass electronic surveillance

the large-scale monitoring of electronic communications.

Puritan

a member of a group seeking to simplify and regulate forms of worship.

to rage

to act with violent anger.

rage

violent, uncontrollable anger.

religious persecution

the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group based on their beliefs.

ethnic identity

a social identity based on shared cultural traits.

to prevent

to stop something from happening.

subprime mortgage crisis

the financial crisis that occurred in the early 2000s due to high-risk mortgage lending.

prosperity

the state of being successful or thriving.

to prosper

to succeed or flourish, especially in financial or economic terms.

intervention

the act of intervening or getting involved in a situation.

to intervene

to come between so as to prevent or alter an action.

cotton plantation

a large estate where cotton is grown, typically in the southern US.

prosecution

the act of conducting legal proceedings against someone.

Union

the northern states during the American Civil War.

Confederacy

the southern states that seceded from the Union during the American Civil War.

famine

a severe shortage of food.

ancestor

a person from whom one is descended.

to abolish

to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.

abolition

the action of abolishing a system, practice, or institution.

national debt

the total amount of money that a country's government has borrowed.

to be in debt

to owe money to someone.

inalienable rights

rights that cannot be taken away or denied.

pursuit of happiness

a phrase in the Declaration of Independence signifying the right to seek personal fulfillment.

of key importance

something that is very significant.

to force one’s value on

to impose one's beliefs or values on others.

deep-seated patriotism

a strong, ingrained sense of loyalty to one’s country.

military supremacy

the condition of having superior armed forces.

supreme

highest in rank or authority.

amendment

a formal change or addition to a legal document.

executive

the branch of government responsible for implementing laws.

legislative

the branch of government responsible for making laws.

judicial

the branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

constitution

the fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed.

tribe

a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities.

tribal

relating to a tribe.

Wall Street Crash

the stock market crash of 1929 that initiated the Great Depression.

war effort

the collective efforts made by a nation to support its military during wartime.

superpower

a powerful and influential nation, especially in international relations.

religious faith

strong belief in a religion.

economic system

a system of production, resource allocation, and distribution of goods and services.

gun control

laws regulating the possession and use of firearms.

to escape poverty

to break free from a state of extreme financial hardship.

work ethic

the belief in the importance of hard work and diligence.

salad bowl

a model of multiculturalism where various cultures coexist.

melting pot

a model of assimilation where different cultures merge and adapt.

same-sex marriage

marriage between two individuals of the same gender.

patriotic

having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.

unpatriotic

not exhibiting loyalty or devotion to one’s country.