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Civics Vocabulary

Key words for understanding government, citizenship and laws.

87 cardsGrades 3–5, Grades 6–8, Grades 9–12#vocabulary#civics#government

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  • GovernmentWord
    The people and system that make and enforce laws for a community or nation
  • CitizenWord
    A legal member of a country
  • CitizenshipWord
    Being a member of a country with rights and duties
  • DemocracyWord
    Government by the people, usually through voting
  • RepublicWord
    A government with elected representatives and a constitution
  • MonarchyWord
    Rule by a king or queen
  • DictatorshipWord
    Rule by one person with total power
  • ConstitutionWord
    The basic plan and laws of a government
  • LawWord
    A rule made by the government that everyone must follow
  • RightWord
    Something you are free to do or have
  • ResponsibilityWord
    Something you should do
  • DutyWord
    A task you are required to do
  • LibertyWord
    Freedom
  • JusticeWord
    Fair treatment under the law
  • EqualityWord
    Being treated the same under the law
  • AuthorityWord
    The power to make decisions and be obeyed
  • PowerWord
    The ability to make things happen
  • Rule of lawWord
    Everyone follows the same laws, including leaders
  • LegislatureWord
    A group that makes laws
  • ExecutiveWord
    The part of government that carries out laws
  • JudiciaryWord
    The courts
  • FederalWord
    National, as opposed to state or local
  • StateWord
    One of the 50 divisions of the US with its own government
  • Local governmentWord
    City, town or county government
  • MayorWord
    Head of a city government
  • GovernorWord
    Head of a state government
  • CouncilWord
    A group of officials who make local laws
  • RepresentativeWord
    A person elected to speak and act for others
  • SenatorWord
    A member of the Senate
  • AmbassadorWord
    Official sent to represent a country abroad
  • CandidateWord
    Person running for office
  • CampaignWord
    Efforts to win an election
  • ElectionWord
    A vote to choose leaders or decide an issue
  • BallotWord
    The paper or screen used to cast a vote
  • VoteWord
    A choice made in an election
  • Voter registrationWord
    Signing up to vote
  • Polling placeWord
    Where people go to vote
  • Primary electionWord
    A vote to choose a party's candidate
  • General electionWord
    A vote to choose among candidates from different parties
  • MajorityWord
    More than half
  • MinorityWord
    Less than half; also a smaller group
  • ReferendumWord
    A direct vote by citizens on a law or issue
  • InitiativeWord
    A way for citizens to propose a law by gathering signatures
  • Political partyWord
    A group that organizes to win elections and shape government
  • PlatformWord
    A party's list of goals and positions
  • Interest groupWord
    A group that tries to influence government decisions
  • LobbyingWord
    Trying to influence lawmakers
  • MediaWord
    News sources that inform the public
  • Public opinionWord
    What most people think about issues
  • PollWord
    A survey of people's opinions
  • PetitionWord
    A written request signed by many people
  • ProtestWord
    A public demonstration of disagreement
  • BoycottWord
    Refusing to buy something as a protest
  • Civil rightsWord
    Rights to equal treatment under the law
  • Civil libertiesWord
    Basic freedoms protected from government action
  • DiscriminationWord
    Unfair treatment because of identity
  • SegregationWord
    Forced separation of groups
  • SuffrageWord
    The right to vote
  • AmendmentWord
    A change to a constitution
  • RatifyWord
    To approve formally
  • VetoWord
    To reject a bill
  • ImpeachWord
    To charge an official with wrongdoing
  • OverrideWord
    To pass a bill despite a veto
  • TreatyWord
    An agreement between nations
  • DiplomacyWord
    Handling relations between countries peacefully
  • SovereigntyWord
    A nation's right to govern itself
  • ImmigrantWord
    Person who moves to a new country to live
  • NaturalizationWord
    Process of becoming a citizen
  • TaxWord
    Money paid to the government
  • BudgetWord
    A plan for earning and spending money
  • Public serviceWord
    Work done for the community
  • VolunteerWord
    Person who works without pay to help others
  • JuryWord
    Citizens who decide a verdict
  • VerdictWord
    Decision of a jury or judge
  • DefendantWord
    Person accused in court
  • PlaintiffWord
    Person who brings a lawsuit
  • ProsecutorWord
    Lawyer who brings charges for the government
  • JudgeWord
    Official who runs a court
  • TestifyWord
    To give evidence in court
  • Common goodWord
    What benefits everyone in a community
  • CompromiseWord
    Each side gives up something to agree
  • ConsensusWord
    General agreement
  • Civic engagementWord
    Taking part in community and public life
  • BipartisanWord
    Involving two political parties
  • ConstituentWord
    A voter represented by an official
  • TermWord
    The length of time an official serves
  • IncumbentWord
    Person currently holding an office

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