Social Studies Glossary Critical Vocabulary – These are words that are critical to the understanding of this course and courses to follow. These words must be taught to deep understanding by using the six steps of effective vocabulary instruction.
A Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Abolitionist
One who was against slavery
Absolutism
Form of government in which all power is vested in a single ruler
Affirmative Action
Policy in educational admissions or job hiring that gives special consideration to traditionally disadvantaged
Grade/ Course
7 World History
groups in an effort to overcome the present effects of past discrimination
U. S. History
Agriculture
The raising of crops or animals for human use
6
Amendment
A written change in or addition to a document
5
Ancient
From a very long time ago
3
Apartheid
System of laws that separated racial and ethnic groups and limited the rights of blacks in South Africa
6
B Critical Vocabulary
Borders Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Lines on a map that show where a state or a nation ends
Grade/ Course
4 Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Bureaucracy
Thousands of government agencies and institutions that administer laws and programs and is one of the policymaking groups within the government
Business Cycle
Pattern of economic growth followed by an economic decline
U. S. Government U. S. History
C Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Cabinet
Informal institution of advisors that work within the executive branch to assist the president and enact policy
Calendar
A chart showing days and months of the year
K
Capital resources
Resources that are used to create other goods or services
6
Capitalism
Economic system based on private ownership and on the investment of money in order to make a profit with limited government control
Century
A period of time lasting one hundred years
Checks and Balances
Ability of each branch of the U.S. government to limit the actions of the others in order to prevent any one
U. S. Government
6 3
from gaining too much power
8
Citizenship
The level of a person's good behavior as a member of a community
3
City
An area where many people live and work
1
Civic Responsibility
Obligations of citizens to be active, peaceful, loyal, and supportive to the community
5
Civil liberties
Protections of the people from abuse by the government
7
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Civil Service
Collective term for the body of employees working for the government (Generally, the term is understood to apply to all those who gain government employment through a merit system.)
Civilization
Complex culture characterized by cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping and advanced technology
Collective Bargaining
Discussions and/or negotiations between an employer (or their representatives) and labor unions over wages and working conditions
U. S. History World History U. S. History
Colonization
The process of establishing a territory or community that is under the control of another country
5
Colony
Settlement outside the borders of the country that rules it
5
Command Economy
Economy in which the production of goods and services is planned and controlled by a central administration
Communication
The way people share ideas, thoughts, or information with each other
2
Communism
Economic system in which all factors of production are owned by the public for the welfare of all
6
Community
A place where people live, work, and have fun together
2
Compass Rose
A drawing on a map that shows directions to help people use the map
3
Compromise
A settlement of differences between opposing sides in which each side gives up some claims and agrees to some demands of the other
Confederate System
Union of sovereign states that are loosely joined but retain most of their independence and powers
Conflict
A disagreement over ideas, feelings, or interests
Consent of the
Idea that the people willingly give some of their power to the government for the common good
Governed
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
World Geography
7 8 4 8
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Conservative
In general, a person who opposes or wants to limit government intervention in the economy and social welfare state policies
Constitution
A written set of laws that explains how a government is supposed to work
Constitutional System
System that the basic principles and laws of a government should be organized and administered through
U. S. History 4
compliance with a written or unwritten constitution
World History
Consumer
A person who buys a product or service
5
Continent
One of seven large areas of land on Earth
2
Country
A large area of land run by a group of people
1
Cultural Convergence
Process of practice that occurs when the ideas, habits, skills, arts, and institutions of one culture come in contact and interact with those of another culture
World Geography
Cultural diffusion
Process of spreading new knowledge or skills to other cultures
Cultural Divergence
Process of disassociating cultures or protecting a culture from other influences
Culture
Way of life of a group of people who share common beliefs and customs
6
Customs
The way people usually do something
K
6 World Geography
D Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Deforestation
The process of clearing forestland
6
Demand
The want of a product or service and the ability to buy it
3
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Democracy
Government in which the people participate
5
Demographics
The statistical data of human populations
6
Desertification
Process by which grasslands change to desert and land suitable for farming is lost
6
Dictator
Leader with total power
5
Disenfranchise
Removal of the ability to vote from a person or group of people
U. S. History
(Disfranchise) Distance
The amount of space between two places; how far it is from one place to another
Domestic Policy
Government action created to deal with some problem or concern within the United States to improve quality of life
3 U. S. Government
E Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Economic Growth
When an economy experiences full employment and full production and there is growth in real GDP
Economics
A system of producing, distributing, and consuming wealth and resources
6
Emancipation
The act of freeing from bondage or oppression
7
Embargo
Restriction by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation
8
Emigration
To leave one country or region to settle in another (refers to the point of departure)
7
Empire
Political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Economics
World History
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Enlightenment
Intellectual movement in Europe during the 18th century in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society
Environment Equator
All the physical and human features and conditions that make up a place
World History 3
An imaginary line of latitude marked 0 degrees that circles the globe halfway between the North and South Poles
4
Equilibrium
Point at which quantity demand is equal to quantity supplied at a particular price
Era
A period of time characterized by particular circumstances, events, or persons
7
Ethnic group
People who share a common culture, language, or history
6
Ethnicity
One’s racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural background
7
Executive Branch
Part of the government led by a mayor, governor, or president, that carries out the laws
4
Expansion
The act or process of growing
5
Expenditures
Spending within an economy
Economics
Exploration
Journey made by people going to a new place to learn about it
4
Explorer
A person who travels to a new place to learn about it
2
Export
Goods that are sent out of a country
5
Economics
F Critical Vocabulary
Faction Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Group of people who have certain interests that are not shared with others in a larger group
Grade/ Course
7
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Family
Group of people who love and care for each other; usually live together, and depend upon each other
Fascism
Political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism, a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one-party rule
Federalism
Sharing of government power between the local, state and the national governments
Feminism
Social movement that supports political, economic, and social equality for women
Feudalism
Political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land
Fiscal Policy
Government policy of taxing and government spending in order to achieve economic growth within an economy
Flag
Cloth that stands for a country or state
Formal Region
Geographic area that can be defined by a limited number of related human or physical characteristics
K World History 7 U. S. History World History Economics K
(Examples include Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa)
World Geography
Free Enterprise System
Economic system where individuals and companies are free to make a profit with limited government control
8
Friend
Someone you like to be with and who likes to be with you
K
Functional Region
Group of places that are linked together by common purpose or use (The Amazon Basin in linked by the flow of water toward the ocean. The Dallas transit system is a functional region linked by the flow of commuters.)
Fundamentalism
Protestant religious movement grounded in the belief that all stories and details in the Bible are literally true
World Geography U. S. History
G Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Geography
Study of Earth and its people, plants, and animals
Globalization
Increasing development of worldwide economic and cultural connections
Globe
Round model of the earth
1
Goods
Products or things that can be bought or sold; things made or grown
2
Government
Group of people who run a community, state, or country
2
Governor
Leader of the state executive branch
4
2 World Geography
H Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Hemisphere
Half of the globe
3
History
The study of the past
2
Holiday
A day of no work or school; a day to celebrate important people and special events
K
Honesty
Being truthful, not lying or cheating
1
Human Geography
Study of how humans and their cultures impact the earth
6
Human Resources
Workers needed to make and sell products or services; labor
5
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
I Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Immigration
The act of entering a country to live
5
Impact
The effect of one thing on another
4
Imperialism
Policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially
Import
Goods brought into a country
Incorporation Doctrine
Application of the protections given in the Bill of Rights to the states (The United Supreme Court has used
World History 5
the 14th Amendment over time on a case by case basis to require the states to give the protections in the
U. S. Government
national Bill of Rights to the citizens of their states.) Independence
Freedom from the control of another country; to be free from other people or places
Independent Regulatory
Agency created by Congress that is concerned with a specific aspect of the economy
Commission
4 U. S. Government
Industrial Revolution
Shift, beginning in England during the 18th Century, from making goods by hand to making them by machine
Industrialization
The process of changing an economy to rely more on manufacturing and less on farming(agriculture)
6
Industry
Businesses that create a type of product or provide a type of service
4
Infrastructure
System of roads, hospitals, schools, sanitation, etc. that enable a country to function
Initiative
Voters can submit a petition to the legislature proposing a new law
Interdependence
People, countries, or things that depend on or need each other
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
World History
World Geography U. S. History 4
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Interest
Cost of money
Interest Groups
Group of people who share a cause and want to influence government policy to further their specific cause
Investment
Spending on machinery and tools for capital growth within the economy
Isolationism
Foreign policy where a nation does not take an active role in international affairs or alliances
Economics 8 Economics U. S. History
J Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Judicial Activism
Philosophy of judicial decision making that argues judges should use their power to create public policy
Judicial Branch
Part of the government in which courts decide if laws are fair and match with the Constitution
Judicial Restraint
Philosophy of judicial decision making that argues judges should not use their power to make broad new policies or change legislative actions
Judicial Review
Principle that the Supreme Court has the power to interpret (decide) the meaning of the U.S. Constitution
Jurisdiction
Power of a court to review or hear a particular type of case
Grade/ Course
U. S. Government 4 U. S. Government 8 U. S. Government
L Critical Vocabulary
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Landforms
A feature of the earth's surface such as a mountain, hill, plain, or peninsula
2
Landmarks
Natural or man-made features that help people find their way
2
Latitude
An imaginary line running around the earth from east to west that is used to measure distance north or south in degrees
4
Leader
Someone who helps people decide what to do
1
Legislative Branch
Part of the government that makes laws
4
Less Developed Countries
Countries that lack capital resources and basic needs are not always met
6
Liberal
In general, a person who supports government intervention in the economy and social welfare state policies
Limited Government
Principle that the people give the government its power and the people can limit that power (In the U.S. system it is the Constitution which describes those powers.)
Longitude
An imaginary line running around the earth from north to south that is used to measure distance east or west in degrees
U. S. History 6 4
M Critical Vocabulary
Manifest destiny
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
The belief that the United States had a God given right to spread across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean
Grade/ Course
7
Manufacturing
Making products with machines
4
Map
A drawing that shows where something is located
1
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Map legend
A box on a map in which symbols are explained
Market Economy
Economic system in which the quantity of goods and services that should be produced are determined by
4
consumers and the laws of supply and demand Mayor
A leader of a city government
McCarthyism
Attacks, often unsubstantiated, by Senator Joseph McCarthy and others on people suspected of being
3
Communists in the early 1950’s Mercantilism
World Geography
Economic and political policy in which European countries acquired more national wealth by establishing and exploiting colonies which supplied raw materials and markets for the home countries industries
U. S. History 8
Migration
Movement from one country or place to another
6
Mission
Religious settlement where church people live and work
4
Mixed Economy
Economic system which is a combination of a command economy and a market economy
Modern
Present-day; up-to-date
Monarchy
Type of political system in which power is held by a king or queen usually born into power who may or may
3
not share power with the people Monetary Policy
World Geography
Actions taken by the FOMC to achieve economic growth through the use of buying and selling government securities to influence interest rates
Monopoly
Industry in which there is only one producer or in which one producer has substantial control of the market
More Developed Countries
Countries that have a high percentage of capital resources and quality of life is generally good
6 Economics U. S. History 6
N Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Nationalism
Devotion to the interests or culture of one's country or ethnic group
Nation-State
Group of people within a defined territory organized politically with sovereignty
Nativism
Defense of native born people and a hostility toward the foreign born, usually combined with the desire to
Grade/ Course
8
stop or slow immigration
World Geography U. S. History
Natural resources
Resources which come from the earth or land
Naturalized Citizen
Person who has satisfied the requirements and has become a citizen of the United States
Needs
Things people must have to live such as food, clothing, and a place to live
2
Neighborhood
A place where people live, work, and play
1
Nullification
Refusal or failure of a U.S. state to recognize or enforce a federal law within its boundaries
8
6 U. S. Government
O Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Ocean
A very large body of salt water
Oligarchy
Political system or a government in which power is in the hands of a few people —especially one in which
1
rule is based upon wealth Opportunity Cost
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Grade/ Course
Next best alternative given up as the result of having to make a decision between items or courses of action
World History Economics
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
P Critical Vocabulary
Patronage
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Office holder’s power to appoint or reward faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts
Perceptual Region
Geographic area without precise borders defined by commonly held views (Examples include Dixie, Rust Belt, and Bible Belt.)
Grade/ Course
U. S. History World Geography
Physical geography
Study of natural features on the earth’s surface – land and water forms and animals
6
Pioneer
One of the first to go live in an area or the first to do something
3
Place
Theme of geography that focuses on the unique human and physical attributes of a particular location
Plantation system
Large farms or estates raising a cash crop using slave labor
Political Machine
Local or state political organization that is successful at winning elections due to unfair use of the political
World Geography 7
process to win influence for party insiders
U. S. History
Political parties
Group of persons who work together to win elections and control the government
8
Popular Sovereignty
All political power comes from the people
7
Population
The number of people living in a place
4
Population Density
Average number of people who live in a measurable area which is determined by dividing the number of people by the amount of land they occupy
President Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Our country’s leader
World Geography 1
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Primary source
Something created during the time of an event
5
Prime Meridian
An imaginary line of longitude marked 0 degrees that runs from pole to pole
4
Producer
A person who makes a product
5
Profit Motive
Self interest motivating factor in an economy
Protective Tariff
High tax on imports (The purpose of a protective tariff is to protect a nation’s industries from foreign
Economics
competition.)
8
Public Opinion
What the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time
Pull Factors
Factors that attract people to move to a new place (immigrate)
8
Push Factors
Factors that force someone to leave where they presently live (emigrate)
8
U. S. Government
Q Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Quantity Demanded
Amount desired by buyers at a specific price
Economics
Quantity Supplied
Amount provided by sellers at a specific price
Economics
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
R Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Recall
Procedure by which a public official may be removed from office by popular vote
U. S. History
Recession
Two or more successive quarters (6 months or longer) in which the economy shrinks instead of grows
U. S. History
Referendum
Practice of allowing voters to decide a legislative issue
U. S. History
Reformation
16th-century movement in Western Europe that aimed at reforming some doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant churches
World History
Region
An area that shares common characteristics
4
Religion
System of beliefs, values, or practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader(s) or natural elements
6
Renaissance
Rebirth of intellectual and artistic achievement; originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread throughout Europe
Republic
Form of representative government based on a constitution in which decisions are made by elected or appointed officials
World History 7
Responsibility
Something a person should do because it is necessary and important
3
Revolution
A fight or struggle for a great change
5
Rights
Freedoms guaranteed to all citizens of the United States
5
Rule
Something that tells us what to do and what not to do
1
Rural
Describing an area that is made up mostly of farmland
2
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
S Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Scale
A line or bar that explains how real distance is shown on a map
3
Scarcity
A shortage, or lack of supply
3
School
A safe place where children learn
K
Scientific Revolution
Major change in European thoughts, starting in the mid 1500’s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs
World History
Season
One of the four parts of a year: spring, summer, fall, and winter
K
Secede
To formally withdraw from membership in an organization
7
Secondary source
Description of events written by people after the event
5
Sectionalism
Putting the needs of one’s region over the needs of the nation as a whole
7
Services
Work that someone does for someone else
2
Segregation
Forced separation of people of different races in public places
7
Settlement
A small village built by the first people to live in a new place
3
Slavery
The practice of owning people and forcing them to work
5
Social Contract
Written or understood agreement between the people and their political organization that defines the government
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
U. S. Government
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Socialism
Economic system in which the major factors of production are controlled by a single authoritarian party which claims to be for the welfare of all
Sovereignty
Complete independence and self-government
Spatial Diffusion
Process by which an idea or innovation is transmitted from one individual or group to another from one place
8
to another Standard of Living
6
Level of development of a country based on the quality of life enjoyed by its population (income, life expectancy, availability of health car, etc.)
State
A part of a country
Stateless Nation
Group of people who shares common customs, origins, history, and frequently language who do not have
World Geography World Geography 1
their own nation-state
World Geography
Suburban
Describing a small community that is close to a city
2
Suffrage
The right to vote
7
Supply
Goods offered for sale by a business
3
Symbol
A picture that stands for a real thing
1
T Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Tariff
A tax on imported goods
7
Taxation
Laws that require people to pay money or goods to a government
5
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary Technological innovation
New ways of doing things that are more efficient
7
Technology
Used to make things faster, easier, or better
1
Temperance
Social reform that encouraged people to not drink alcoholic beverages
7
The Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution listing the basic rights and freedoms of Americans
5
The Founders
The people who were important in the establishment of the United States
5
The Framers
Delegates to the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 who wrote the Constitution
5
The Preamble
Introduction to the Constitution
5
Theocracy
Political system in which the government is controlled by religious leaders
Third Parties
Independent political groups that work to elect officials to public office, based on individuals who break away
World History
from one of the major parties, have a single issue of concern, or based on an ideology
U. S. Government
Timeline
A drawing that shows when and in what order events took place
2
Today
The present day
1
Tomorrow
The day after today
1
Totalitarianism
Political system or government that controls every aspect of public and private life
Traditional Economy
Economic system in which goods and services are produced by a family for their personal consumption as they have done for generations
World History World Geography
Traditions
The way people usually do something that is passed from one generation to another
K
Transportation
The moving of people or things from one place to another
2
Treaty
Formal agreement between two or more governments, as in reference to terms of peace or trade
4
Truth
Something that is true; a fact
3
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
U Critical Vocabulary
Unalienable Rights
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Rights that the government cannot take away from the people based on John Locke’s idea of the natural rights of life, liberty, and property
Unconstitutional
Law or government action that the Supreme Court has decided contradicts the U.S. Constitution (Actions of individuals may be illegal but only actions of the government are unconstitutional.)
Unitary System
System of government where the local and regional governments receive all power or authority directly from the central government
Urban
Describing a city and the places around it
Urbanization
Process in which the number of cities and their populations increase which result in changes in lifestyle
Grade/ Course
8 8 U. S. Government 2
and/or standard of living
World Geography
V Critical Vocabulary
Voting
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Making a choice in a group
Grade/ Course
K
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
Social Studies Glossary
W Critical Vocabulary
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
Grade/ Course
Wants
Things we would like to have
2
World
The planet Earth
K
Y Critical Vocabulary
Yesterday
Fall 2007, Revised June 2014
Description This is for teacher use only to provide aligned descriptions for Katy ISD teachers K-12. It is not a formal definition to be memorized by students.
The day before today
Grade/ Course
1
Created by AP Social Studies Vertical Team
