GED Social Studies key terms

The principle that a government's authority comes from the consent and will of the people it governs, who can change or replace that government.

A system in which power is shared between a national government and smaller regional governments, such as states, each with its own defined responsibilities.

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches so that no single person or group holds all governing power.

Arrangements that allow each branch of government to limit the actions of the others, helping prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The power of courts to examine laws and government actions and to declare them invalid when they conflict with the Constitution.

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law, and that laws are applied fairly, openly, and predictably.

The requirement that government follow fair and established legal procedures before taking away a person's life, liberty, or property.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which list basic freedoms and protections for individuals against government overreach.

A formal change or addition to a constitution or law, made through a required procedure rather than by ordinary legislation.

The group of electors chosen by the states that formally casts the votes which elect the U.S. president and vice president.

The responsibilities of people in a democracy, such as voting, serving on juries, obeying laws, and staying informed about public issues.

The written framework of U.S. government, drafted in 1787, that defines the branches, powers, and limits of the federal government.

The 1776 statement announcing the American colonies' separation from Britain and asserting that governments draw their power from the consent of the governed.

The organized movement to end slavery in the United States, which grew in the 1800s through publishing, petitioning, and political action.

The 1861–1865 conflict between the northern Union and the southern Confederacy, fought largely over slavery and whether the Union would remain whole.

The period after the Civil War when federal policy tried to rebuild the South and secure legal rights for formerly enslaved people.

The right to vote, which in U.S. history was extended by amendments and laws removing barriers based on race, sex, and wealth.

The 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America, encouraging westward settlement and territorial acquisition.

A set of 1930s federal programs and reforms under President Franklin Roosevelt intended to relieve the Great Depression and regulate the economy.

The long rivalry after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by military tension, alliances, and competition without direct war.

An imaginary grid used to locate places on Earth; latitude measures distance north or south of the equator, and longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian.

The usual weather conditions of a place over many years, shaped by latitude, elevation, ocean distance, and other geographic factors.

The movement of people from one place to another, often caused by push factors such as conflict or poverty and pull factors such as jobs or safety.

Conditions that drive people away from a place, such as war or drought, or attract them to a new place, such as work or freedom.

The growth of cities and the rising share of a population living in urban areas, often linked to industrial jobs and economic opportunity.

The average number of people living in a given area, usually stated as persons per square mile or square kilometer.

Materials and conditions found in nature that people use, such as water, soil, minerals, forests, and fuels, which differ from region to region.

The growing connection of countries through trade, communication, travel, and technology, which spreads goods, ideas, money, and cultures across borders.

The basic economic problem that people have limited resources but unlimited wants, forcing choices about what to produce and consume.

The value of the best alternative given up when a person, business, or government chooses one option instead of another.

The relationship between how much of a good producers offer and how much buyers want; their interaction helps determine prices and quantities sold.

An economic system in which private individuals and businesses own resources and make most decisions, guided by prices rather than government planning.

A tax on imported goods that raises their price, often used to protect domestic industries and sometimes answered by retaliation from trading partners.

A general rise in prices over time that reduces the purchasing power of money, so the same amount buys fewer goods and services.

Gross domestic product, the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country during a given period.

Government decisions about taxing and spending, used to influence economic growth, employment, and the size of the budget deficit.

Actions by a central bank to manage the money supply and interest rates, aiming to control inflation and support stable economic growth.