Vocabulary 

  • Unit 1: Types of Government & Economies

    Key Vocabulary:

    • Direct Democracy : citizens directly participate in decision making and vote on laws and policies themselves direct- citizens directly participate in decision making and vote on laws and policies themselves 

    • Representative Democracy : citizens elect representatives to make decisions and create laws on their behalf 

    • Republic: A representative democracy where citizens elect officials to make decisions.

    • Monarchy: A government led by a king or queen; can be absolute or constitutional.

    • Theocracy: A government ruled by religious leaders or based on religious laws.

    • Oligarchy: A government where a small group of people hold power.

    • Dictatorship: One leader holds absolute power, often taken by force.

    • Unitary System: Central government holds all key powers; local governments have little independence.

    • Federal System: Power is divided between national and state governments.

    • Confederate System: A weak central government with strong state or regional control.

    • Capitalism: Economic system based on private ownership and free markets.

    • Socialism: Economic system where the government owns major industries; promotes economic equality.

    • Communism: A system where the government owns all property and production; classless society.

    • Mixed Economy: Combines elements of capitalism and government regulation.

    Major Ideas

    • Interaction: Governments regulate economies, collect taxes, and provide services. Economic systems influence individual freedom and wealth distribution.

    • Advantages/Disadvantages:

      • Democracy: +Freedom, -Slower decisions.

      • Dictatorship: +Efficient, -Oppression.

      • Capitalism: +Innovation, -Inequality.

      • Communism: +Equality, -Lack of motivation.

    Real-world Examples:

    • Democracy: USA

    • Monarchy: UK (constitutional), Saudi Arabia (absolute)

    • Theocracy: Iran

    • Oligarchy: Russia (arguably)

    • Capitalism: USA

    • Socialism: Sweden

    • Communism: North Korea

    Unit 2: Citizenship & Immigration

    Key Vocabulary

    • Immigrant: A person who moves to a new country to live.

    • Refugee: Someone fleeing danger or persecution.

    • Push Factor: Reasons to leave a place (e.g., war, poverty).

    • Pull Factor: Reasons to move to a new place (e.g., jobs, safety).

    • Law of Soil: Citizenship by being born in a country.

    • Law of Blood: Citizenship through parents' nationality.

    • Naturalization: Legal process to become a citizen.

    Major Ideas

    • Naturalization Steps: Live in U.S. for 5 years, apply, interview, pass civics test, and oath.

    • Impact of Immigration: Economic growth, cultural diversity, policy changes.

    • Immigration Reasons:

      • Historical: Irish Potato Famine (push), Gold Rush (pull).

      • Modern: War in Syria (push), job opportunities in the U.S. (pull).

    Unit 3: Responsibilities and Obligations

    Key Terms to Define

    • Obligation: Legal requirement (e.g., taxes, obeying laws).

    • Responsibility: Voluntary civic duties (e.g., voting, being informed).

    • Jury Duty: Obligation to serve as a juror in a court case.

    • Taxes: Money citizens must pay for government services.

    • Selective Service: Men 18+ must register for potential military draft.

    • Civic Engagement: Active participation in the community and politics.

    Major Ideas

    • Main Obligations: Pay taxes, obey laws, serve jury duty, register for draft.

    • Key Responsibilities: Voting, volunteering, staying informed.

    • Importance: Keeps democracy functional and representative.

    Unit 4: State & Local Government

    Key Terms to Define

    • State Government: Governs an individual state; includes governor, legislature, courts.

    • Local Government: Manages cities/towns; includes mayors, councils, school boards.

    • Florida Constitution: State's legal framework.

    • Ordinance: A local law.

    • Referendum: Citizens vote directly on laws.

    • Electoral College: Elects the president based on state votes.

    • Ballot: The form used to vote.

    Major Ideas

    • Roles:

      • State: Education, transportation, healthcare.

      • Local: Public safety, zoning, schools.

    • Voting: Register, research, vote in local/state/national elections.

    • Citizen Responsibility: Be informed, participate, vote, attend meetings.

    Unit 5: U.S. Constitution

    Key Terms to Define

    • Preamble: Introduction stating Constitution’s goals.

    • Separation of Powers: Division into Legislative, Executive, Judicial branches.

    • Checks and Balances: Each branch limits the others.

    • Articles:

      • I: Legislative (Congress) - Makes the laws, and establishes the Bicameral Congress (Senate – equal representation, and House – based on population).

      • Powers: Taxing, Deciding how to spend money, Declare war, Regulate commerce (business and trade), Approving appointments

      • II: Executive (President) - Enforces laws, Includes the President, Vice President, and Cabinet

      • Powers: Commander and Chief of the Army, Negotiating treaties, Appoint federal officials, Propose budgets, Veto power, Write executive orders

      • III: Judicial (Courts) - Interprets the laws, Establishes the Supreme Court, Says Congress will make all of the courts after this based on the needs

      • Powers: Judicial review, which means they can rule any executive order by the President or any bill or law from the executive branch unconstitutional

      • IV (4) : (States' Rights and Relations): - Any federal law all the states have to follow

      • V(5) (Amendment Process) - Two ways:

        1. 2/3 of Congress or state conventions, then ratification by 3/4 of states

        2. Bypass Congress: 2/3 of state conventions, then ratification by 3/4 of states

      • VI(6): Supremacy Clause (federal > state) - The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, Federal laws take precedence over state laws

      • VII(7): Ratification - How to ratify the Constitution, Requires 9 out of 13 original states to agree for it to take effect, Marks the beginning of the new framework of government in 1789

    • Amendment: A change to the Constitution.

    Major Ideas

    • Articles: Define structure and power of government.

    • Balance of Powers: Prevents tyranny.

    • Amendment Process: Proposal (2/3 of Congress) → Ratification (3/4 of states).

    Unit 6: Lawmaking & Political Parties

    Key Terms to Define

    • Bill: A proposed law.

    • Veto: President rejects a bill.

    • Committee: Group that studies and edits bills.

    • Political Party: Organization seeking to influence government (e.g., Democrats, Republicans).

    • Platform: A party’s official stance on issues.

    • PAC: Raises and donates money to campaigns.

    • Lobbying: Trying to influence lawmakers.

    Major Ideas

    • Lawmaking Steps: Idea → Committee → Debate → Vote → President signs/vetoes.

    • Roles:

      • Parties: Mobilize voters, shape policy.

      • Interest Groups: Influence through lobbying and donations.

    • Obstacles: Committee rejection, filibuster, veto, lack of support.

    Unit 7: Amendments & Civil Rights

    Key Amendments

    1. Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly.

    2. Right to bear arms.

    3. No forced housing of soldiers.

    4. No unreasonable searches/seizures.

    5. Rights of the accused (due process, no double jeopardy).

    6. Right to a speedy trial.

    7. Jury trial in civil cases.

    8. No cruel/unusual punishment.

    9. Unlisted rights still apply.

    10. Powers not given to federal go to states/people.

      1. Abolished slavery.

      2. Equal protection under law.

      1. Voting rights for all men regardless of race.

      1. Women's suffrage.

      1. No poll taxes.

      1. Voting age lowered to 18.

    Movements Covered

    • African American Civil Rights: End segregation, secure voting rights.

    • Women’s Rights: Suffrage, workplace equality.

    • Native American Rights: Sovereignty, cultural preservation.

    • LGBTQ+ Rights: Marriage equality, anti-discrimination.

    • Disabled Rights: ADA, accessibility laws.

    Major Ideas

    • Civil Liberties: Freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

    • Civil Rights: Protections from discrimination.

    • Progress: Through protest, legislation, and court cases.

    Unit 8: Causes of Conflict & War

    Key Frameworks

    • M.A.N.I.A. (WWI causes): Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, Assassination.

    • R.I.C.E. (U.S. foreign policy): Rights, Interests, Conflicts, Environment.

    Wars Studied

    • WWI: Caused by alliances, assassination; U.S. joins in 1917.

    • WWII: Caused by Treaty of Versailles, fascism; U.S. joins after Pearl Harbor.

    • Cold War: U.S. vs USSR; ideological conflict, no direct war.

    • Vietnam War: U.S. involved to stop communism; led to protests.

    • War on Terror: Began after 9/11; wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

    Major Ideas

    • Causes: Political tensions, economic rivalries, ideologies.

    • Propaganda/Censorship: Used to gain support and suppress opposition.

    • Continuity: WWII shaped Cold War; Cold War shaped Vietnam; terrorism shaped modern conflict.