Social Studies Flashcards
Representative Democracy
A system in which people elect representatives to make decisions & create polices. Examples would be the U.S & the U.K.
Direct Democracy
A system in which people decide on laws and decisions as opposed to electing representatives to decide for them. Examples would be Ancient Athens.
Presidential Democracy
System in which the people elect a president to be the chief of government and head of state. Examples would be the U.S.
Parliamentary Democracy
System in which the elected legislators (law makers) appoint a person to be chief of government. Examples would be the U.K.
Sectionalism
Restrictions of interest to a narrow sphere; undue concern with local interests or petty distinctions at the expense of general well being.
Amendment
A minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc
Constituent
A voter who is represented by a particular lawmaker
Market Distortions
Any event in which a market reaches a market clearing price for an item that is substantially different from the price that a market would achieve while operating under conditions of perfect competition & state enforcement of legal contracts & the ownership of private property.
Supply & Demand
The amount of commodity (economic good/resource) , product, or service available & the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price
Immigration Act
U.S. Federal law that prevented immigration from Asia & set quotas (limit) on the number of immigrants from the eastern hemisphere. Published 5-26-1924
Emergency Quota Act
Restricted the number of immigrants admitted from any country annually to 3% of the number of residents from that country living in the U.S. as of the 1910 census.
Mayflower Compact
Created in 1620, originally titled “Agreement between the settlers of New Plymouth”, was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the male passengers of the mayflower, consisting of separatist puritans, adventurers, & tradesmen.An agreement to establish a government entered into by the Pilgrims in the cabin of the Mayflower on 11-11-1620.
Suffrage
The right to vote in political elections
Diplomacy
The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad. The art of dealing with people in a sensitive and effective way
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country’s power & influence through diplomacy or military force
Isolationism
A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.
The Elastic Clause
Statement in the U.S. constitution (Art 1 SEC 8) granting congress the power to pass all laws necessary & proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.
The commerce clause
An enumerated power listed in the US Constitution, it states that the us congress shall have power “to regulate, commerce with foreign nations & among the several states, & with the Indian tribes
Confiscation Act of 1861
Act of congress during the early months of the American civil war permitting the confiscation of any property including slaves, being used to support the confederate independence effort.
Please V Ferguson decision 1896
Advanced the separate but equal doctrine for assessing the constitutionality of racial segregation laws