| A | B |
|---|
| Abolition | The official end to the practice of slavery |
| Amendment | A written change or addition to a bill or constitution |
| American Revolution | The rebellion of British colonists on the North American eastern seaboard against the British monarchy (1775-1783) |
| Bill of Rights (U.S.) | The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution |
| Civil War (American) | A major war between the Northern and Southern states in the U.S. ending in victory for the North and the end of slavery (1861-1865) |
| Congress | The legislature of the United States government |
| Constitution | A written document of a plan of government; the plan of government of the United States drafted 1787 |
| Democracy | A system of government in which the power to rule comes form the consent of the governed |
| Democratic Party | One of two major U.S. political parties; founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson to support a decentralized government and statesÕ rights |
| Equality | The state of having the same privileges, rights, status, and opportunities as others |
| Executive Branch | The branch of the United States government that is responsible for carrying out laws or vetoing laws (includes the role of President) |
| Federal Government | The central government based in Washington D.C. that oversees the state governments |
| Foreign policy | The set of guidelines and practices that a nation follows in its relations with other nations |
| Frontier | The area where colonist-settled lands bordered on lands of Native Americans |
| Judicial Branch | The court systems of local, state, and federal governments, responsible for interpreting laws, including the Supreme Court |
| Legislative Branch | The branch of the federal and state government empowered to make the laws, including the Congress |
| Liberty | Freedom |
| Manifest Destiny | The belief, held by many Americans in the 1840s, that the United States was destined to spread across the North American continent and beyond |
| Opportunity | The chance for advancement or progress |
| Rights | Powers or privileges granted by an agreement among people or by law |
| Suffrage | The right to vote |
| Supreme Court | The highest court in the U.S., includes 9 justices (judges) |
| Tariff | A tax on imported goods |
