New Nation Vocabulary
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Glossary
Federalism: A system where power is shared between the national (central) and state governments.
Democratic: Free and equal participation in a government where power is in people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through the election of representatives.
Amendment: A change to the U.S. Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty: The idea that the authority of the government comes from the people. 'The people have the power'
Strict Interpretation: Reading and following the Constitution word for word. The Constitution means exactly what it says, no more and no less.
Implied Powers: Reading 'between the lines' or inferring the meaning of the Constitution. This allowed for broad interpretation of what the Constitution said the government could do.
Precedent: An example to be followed; a tradition
Cabinet: The president's group of advisers, including the Secretaries of State, War, and Treasury, as well as the Vice-President and Attorney General.
Credit: the power to borrow something, particularly money.
Bond: a written promise to pay back a loan plus interest (often government issued)
Investors: someone who buys something with the intent to make more money.
Speculators: people who bought government bonds from the original investors in hopes of making a large profit.
Free Enterprise System: an economy where citizens can do business without excessive government regulation.
Interest: a charge for borrowing money.
Collateral: something one promises to give the lender if one can't pay back their loan.
Default: when you are unable to pay back a loan.
Capital: money or any good or asset that can be turned into money.
Money Economy/Capitalism: a society based on currency rather than barter.
Foreign Policy: guidelines or action for dealing with issues with other countries.
Domestic Policy: guidelines or action for dealing with issues within the country.
Isolationism: a policy of not dealing with other countries.
Neutrality: not taking sides in a conflict.
Impressment: forced into military service (i.e. Americans forced into British Navy).
Diplomacy: the work of keeping a good relationship with other countries
Reparations: repairing a relationship by paying money to make amends for a wrong
Tribute: a bribe or money paid to offer "protection", a forced payment
Citizen: a member of a country; can be a member by birth or naturalization
Naturalize: to make a citizen; confer citizenship on someone
Sedition: the crime of encouraging rebellion against a government
Alien: people who have come from other countries but are not yet citizens
Nullify: To make legally invalid or valueless, without legal force
Resolution: a formal statement of opinion from an assembly
Redistrict: to redraw boundaries into new districts, usually done for voting or school purposes
Commission: an authorization to perform certain duties; put or authorize in power
Repeal: to cancel or withdraw an act or law
Incumbent: someone currently in office
Writ of Mandamus (mandate): an order or command from the court
Impartial: without bias; fair and open-minded
Judicial Review: the principle that the supreme court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution; Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional
Ransom: obtaining the release of a captive (hostage) by paying money or giving into demands; trading money for people
Northwest Passage:
Democratic: Free and equal participation in a government where power is in people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through the election of representatives.
Amendment: A change to the U.S. Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty: The idea that the authority of the government comes from the people. 'The people have the power'
Strict Interpretation: Reading and following the Constitution word for word. The Constitution means exactly what it says, no more and no less.
Implied Powers: Reading 'between the lines' or inferring the meaning of the Constitution. This allowed for broad interpretation of what the Constitution said the government could do.
Precedent: An example to be followed; a tradition
Cabinet: The president's group of advisers, including the Secretaries of State, War, and Treasury, as well as the Vice-President and Attorney General.
Credit: the power to borrow something, particularly money.
Bond: a written promise to pay back a loan plus interest (often government issued)
Investors: someone who buys something with the intent to make more money.
Speculators: people who bought government bonds from the original investors in hopes of making a large profit.
Free Enterprise System: an economy where citizens can do business without excessive government regulation.
Interest: a charge for borrowing money.
Collateral: something one promises to give the lender if one can't pay back their loan.
Default: when you are unable to pay back a loan.
Capital: money or any good or asset that can be turned into money.
Money Economy/Capitalism: a society based on currency rather than barter.
Foreign Policy: guidelines or action for dealing with issues with other countries.
Domestic Policy: guidelines or action for dealing with issues within the country.
Isolationism: a policy of not dealing with other countries.
Neutrality: not taking sides in a conflict.
Impressment: forced into military service (i.e. Americans forced into British Navy).
Diplomacy: the work of keeping a good relationship with other countries
Reparations: repairing a relationship by paying money to make amends for a wrong
Tribute: a bribe or money paid to offer "protection", a forced payment
Citizen: a member of a country; can be a member by birth or naturalization
Naturalize: to make a citizen; confer citizenship on someone
Sedition: the crime of encouraging rebellion against a government
Alien: people who have come from other countries but are not yet citizens
Nullify: To make legally invalid or valueless, without legal force
Resolution: a formal statement of opinion from an assembly
Redistrict: to redraw boundaries into new districts, usually done for voting or school purposes
Commission: an authorization to perform certain duties; put or authorize in power
Repeal: to cancel or withdraw an act or law
Incumbent: someone currently in office
Writ of Mandamus (mandate): an order or command from the court
Impartial: without bias; fair and open-minded
Judicial Review: the principle that the supreme court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution; Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional
Ransom: obtaining the release of a captive (hostage) by paying money or giving into demands; trading money for people
Northwest Passage: