Social Studies Flashcards

What does a change or addition to the Constitution go by?

Answer: Amendment

An amendment is a formal change or addition to a legal document, specifically the U.S. Constitution. This process allows the Constitution to be adapted and updated over time to reflect societal changes or address new issues, ensuring its continued relevance while preserving its foundational principles.

When prices rise, demand falls, according to the law of supply and demand.

Answer: True

This statement is true according to the law of demand. The law of demand is a fundamental principle in economics stating that, all else being equal, as the price of a good or service increases, consumer demand for that good or service will decrease. Conversely, when prices fall, demand tends to rise.

The desire to buy something and the financial means to do so.

Answer: demand

Demand, in economics, refers to the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices during a specific period. It encompasses both the desire to acquire something and the financial capacity to pay for it. Without both elements, there is no effective demand.

What is the name of the system that provides each arm of government some control over the others?

Answer: Checks and Balances

The system of Checks and Balances is a crucial principle of the U.S. government, designed to prevent any single branch (executive, legislative, or judicial) from becoming too powerful. Each branch has specific powers to limit or oversee the actions of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power and protecting against tyranny.

Which trait is a cornerstone of liberty in the United States and serves as a long-term shield against tyranny?

Answer: the rule of law

The rule of law is a cornerstone of liberty, meaning that all individuals, institutions, and the government itself are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated. This principle ensures that power is exercised according to established legal frameworks, protecting citizens from arbitrary rule and serving as a long-term shield against tyranny.

Which of the following is a legal prerequisite for running for Congress?

Answer: U.S. citizen

To run for Congress, a person must meet specific constitutional requirements, including being a U.S. citizen. For the House of Representatives, one must be a citizen for at least 7 years, and for the Senate, at least 9 years. Age requirements are also in place (25 for the House, 30 for the Senate), but U.S. citizenship is a fundamental prerequisite.

Which option clearly expresses a point of view?

Answer: bias

Bias is a predisposition or inclination toward a particular perspective, often without considering all facts or evidence fairly. It inherently expresses a specific point of view, which can be subjective, prejudiced, or partial. While symbolism and metaphor can convey ideas, bias *is* the expression of a particular viewpoint.

Citizens communicate with government by voting on what they want the government to do in the long and near term. Government officials will be more sensitive to citizens' policy requests if more people vote. Who has veto power?

Answer: President

In the U.S. system of government, the President holds the power to veto legislation passed by Congress. A presidential veto is a constitutional power to reject a bill, preventing it from becoming law unless Congress overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.

Which of the following words is a synonym for the word Veto?

Answer: Reject

The word 'veto' means to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. For instance, when a president vetoes a bill, they are formally rejecting it and preventing it from becoming law. Therefore, 'reject' is a direct synonym.

Which of these nations did not participate in the Axis Powers during World War II?

Answer: The Soviet Union

During World War II, the primary Axis Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Soviet Union, despite initially signing a non-aggression pact with Germany, later joined the Allied Powers after being invaded by Germany in 1941, making it an opponent of the Axis.

The Potsdam Conference was __________.

Answer: the last wartime meeting between the Soviet Union, Britain, and the United States during World War Two.

The Potsdam Conference, held in July-August 1945, was the final wartime meeting between the leaders of the Soviet Union (Stalin), Great Britain (Churchill, then Attlee), and the United States (Truman). Its main purpose was to discuss the post-war order, peace treaties, and the administration of defeated Germany and its allies.

Which coalition of nations was the Triple Entente in the system of alliances that emerged just before World War I?

Answer: Russia, France, and the United Kingdom

The Triple Entente was an informal alliance that developed between Great Britain, France, and Russia in the years leading up to World War I. This alliance system, along with the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy), created a complex web of commitments that contributed to the outbreak of the war.

The name of the peace accord that concluded World War I is __________.

Answer: the Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace accord that officially concluded World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. Signed on June 28, 1919, it imposed significant reparations and territorial losses on Germany, laying the groundwork for future international tensions.

Who among the following presidents has won the Nobel Peace Prize?

Answer: Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. President, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919. He received the honor for his efforts in establishing the League of Nations and his role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles, advocating for international cooperation and peace after World War I.

Which of these nations did not fall victim to fascism throughout the 20th century?

Answer: Russia

While Russia experienced totalitarian rule under communism in the 20th century, its ideology was distinct from fascism. Italy (under Mussolini), Spain (under Franco), and Brazil (under Vargas) all had significant periods of fascist or authoritarian, fascist-leaning governments. Fascism and communism are separate political ideologies, despite both being totalitarian.

The Balfour Declaration advocated for __________.

Answer: creation of Jewish state in the territory of Palestine.

The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government in 1917, was a public statement declaring British support for the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine. This declaration was a pivotal moment in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Zionist movement.

The post-globe War II pact between the United States and Great Britain on the post-war globe and the status of global self-determination was known as the __________.

Answer: The Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration issued in August 1941 by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It outlined their shared vision for the post-World War II world, emphasizing principles such as self-determination, free trade, and international cooperation, and laid the groundwork for the United Nations.

During the Russian Revolution, _________.

Answer: the Russian monarchy fell and was replaced by a communist government.

During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the centuries-old Tsarist monarchy was overthrown. Following a brief period of provisional government, the Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established the world's first communist government, leading to the formation of the Soviet Union.

The first Soviet ruler was __________.

Answer: Vladimir Lenin.

Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party and the primary figure of the October Revolution. He became the first head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1922 and then of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1924, establishing the communist state.