5th Grade History and Social Science - Civics Terms

15 cards·by ms_wagner

Campaign

what a candidate running for an elected office does to get votes

Congress

the legislative branch of the federal government

Constitution

the plan for the federal government; the 'Supreme Law of the Land'

Culture

a way of life

Declaration of Independence

written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776; explained why the United States wanted to be free

Democracy

form of government where people rule and are free to make choices about their lives and government

Executive Branch

a branch of government which sees that the laws are carried out

Federal

national level

Government

a system for deciding what is best for a group of people; its job is to protect the members & settle disputes & make & carry out laws

Independence

freedom from control by others

Judicial Branch

a branch of government whose main job is to interpret the law

Legislative Branch

a branch of government whose main job is to make laws

Megalopolis

a huge urban region formed when two or more metropolitan regions grow together

Primary Source

information that gives the real words and views of people who were there when an event took place

Supreme Court

the hightest court in the United States