large vocabulary cards - baltimore county public schools

Grade 5 Unit 3 Vocabulary Cards

abolish

to put an end to

amendment

a change in or addition to a document

Grade 5 Social Studies 1 References: Unit 3 Large Vocabulary Cards


Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States

authority

the right to use power to control the behaviors of others



bill

a proposed law given to the legislature for approval

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution. It lists some basic rights of the people that the

federal government may not interfere with and must protect.



branches of government

legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

checks and balances

the sharing and balancing of power among different branches of government so no one

branch can completely control the others



citizen

a person who is a member of a town, city, state, or country

civic virtue

putting the common good above individual interests



common defense

defending or protecting the community as a whole

common good

what is best for the community as a whole



compromise

a way to settle conflict by all sides agreeing to give up part of what

they want

Congress

the national legislature of the U.S. Congress has two houses: the Senate and

the House of Representatives



consent

agree to obey the laws and the government

constitutional government

A government in which the powers of the ruler or rulers are limited by a constitution.

The rulers must obey the constitution.



convention convention

a formal assembly or meeting a formal assembly or meeting

delegate delegate

(n) the person picked to act for you or represent you at a meeting or convention; (v)

entrust someone to represent your interests

(n) the person picked to act for you or represent you at a meeting or convention; (v)

entrust someone to represent your interests





discrimination

unfair treatment of people because of such things as race, religion,

or gender

domestic tranquility

a peaceful situation within our country



due process

the requirement that procedures used by government in gathering information

and making decisions be reasonable and fair

equal protection

all individuals or groups of people are treated equally under the law, unless there is a good and fair reason for not doing so



executive branch

the branch of government that enforces the laws made by the

legislative branch

Founders

the people who were important in the establishment of the United States



Framers

the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention of 1787

general welfare

the good of all the people



House of Representatives

one house of Congress in which the number of representatives from each state is based on

the number of people living in that state

judicial branch

the branch of government that makes the laws



justice

the act of being fair and honest

legislative branch

the branch of government that makes the laws



libel

a false publication, as in writing, signs, or pictures, that damages a

person’s reputation

limited power

powers with restrictions or boundaries



literacy tests

tests given to people to prove they are able to read and write. These tests were used in the South to keep African Americans from voting

majority

more than half



national anthem

a song of praise that is recognized as the official song of that country

natural rights

such basic rights as those to life, liberty, and property



ordain

to decree and enact

persecute

to cause suffering to a person or group because of such thins as their

beliefs, gender, or race



poll taxes

taxes that voters in many states had to pay before they could vote

posterity

future generations



powers of government

the authority or official capacity to exercise control

Preamble

the introduction to the Constitution. It states that the people establish the government and

lists the purposes of the government.



President

the elected head of the executive branch of government

principles

the democratic ideas and values in American government including

privacy, authority, power, justice/fairness, responsibility,patriotism,

tolerance, and respect for the rights of others



ratify

to formally approve

responsibilities

the duties that citizens have



representative

an elected member of a lawmaking body in a government acting for the people in

a certain area

republican government

a government in which power is held by the people who elect representatives to run the

government for the common good



rights

the freedoms granted to American citizens that allow them to make

their own choices

Senate

one house of Congress. Each state has two members in the Senate.



slavery

the practice of holding people against their will and making them carry

out orders

testify

give information or evidence, as at a hearing or trial




unlimited power

powers having no restrictions or controls

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