AP SSC Social Studies key terms

A system of government in which power is divided between one central government and the individual state governments, with each level holding its own separate and protected authority.

Powers that the Tenth Amendment keeps for the states rather than granting to the national government, such as running public schools, elections, and most local police functions.

Powers shared by both the national and state governments at the same time, such as collecting taxes, building roads, and establishing courts to enforce laws.

The constitutional rule stating that federal law and the Constitution override conflicting state laws, making national authority the highest law of the land.

The arrangement that lets each branch of government limit the power of the others, such as a presidential veto or a court ruling that a law is unconstitutional.

The division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches so that no single group holds all governing authority at once.

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

The president's formal rejection of a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden only by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

The principle that political authority ultimately belongs to the people, who express it through voting, elections, and consent to be governed.

The idea that people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection and order, and may resist rulers who break that agreement.

Basic freedoms believed to belong to every person from birth, such as life, liberty, and property, which governments are expected to protect.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, listing protections for individuals such as free speech, fair trials, and freedom from unreasonable searches.

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

An economic policy in which a nation tries to export more than it imports and to build wealth in gold and silver, often through colonies supplying raw materials.

The Atlantic trading network linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, which exchanged manufactured goods, enslaved Africans, and colonial raw materials such as sugar and tobacco.

The forced sea voyage that carried enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas, known for crowded ships and extremely high death rates.

A territory settled or controlled by a distant country, which governs it and often uses its resources and labor for the home country's benefit.

The policy of a stronger nation extending its control over weaker regions through conquest, settlement, or economic and political pressure.

Strong loyalty and devotion to one's own nation, often emphasizing shared culture, history, and interests above those of other countries.

A formal agreement in which nations promise to support one another, often militarily, which can turn a local dispute into a wider war.

The practice of building up armed forces and glorifying military power, with military needs shaping national policy and spending.

The relationship in which the amount of a product available and the amount buyers want together set its price in a market.

The basic economic condition in which resources are limited while human wants are unlimited, forcing people and societies to make choices.

The value of the next best alternative given up when a person or society chooses one option instead of another.

The giving up of one benefit or advantage in order to gain another, a choice that arises whenever resources are limited.

An economic system in which private individuals and businesses own resources and make most decisions, with prices set largely by competition and choice.

An economic system in which the government owns or controls most resources and decides what to produce, how to produce it, and who receives it.

The total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a given period, used to measure economic size and growth.

A general rise in prices over time, which reduces the purchasing power of money and is often measured by changes in a price index.

A tax charged on imported goods, usually intended to raise revenue or to make foreign products more expensive than domestic ones.

The exchange of goods between countries without government restrictions such as tariffs or quotas, allowing markets to set prices.

The growing interconnection of world economies and cultures through trade, investment, travel, and communication technology across national borders.

The movement of people from rural areas into cities, usually driven by jobs and industry, which changes population patterns and living conditions.

The shift from handcraft and farming to machine-based manufacturing in factories, which reshapes work, cities, and national wealth.

The movement of people from one place to another, whether within a country or across borders, often driven by work, safety, or family.

A condition that drives people away from a place, such as war, drought, or unemployment, encouraging them to move elsewhere.

The right to vote in political elections, which has been extended over time to groups originally excluded, such as women and racial minorities.

The legal protections guaranteeing equal treatment and freedom from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, or sex.