Social Studies Flashcards

Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution?

Answer: Judicial

The Judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and determines their constitutionality.

What is the term for the movement of people from rural areas to cities?

Answer: Urbanization

Urbanization describes the population shift from rural areas to urban centers.

Which document established the first framework of government for the United States after independence?

Answer: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781.

What type of economic system is based on private ownership and free markets?

Answer: Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private ownership of property and free-market competition.

The Great Lakes border which U.S. region?

Answer: Midwest

The Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario — are located in the Midwest region of the U.S.

Which term describes a system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf?

Answer: Representative democracy

In a representative democracy, voters elect officials to govern and create laws for them.

What was the primary cause of the American Civil War?

Answer: Disputes over the expansion and abolition of slavery

The Civil War was primarily fought over the issue of slavery, particularly its expansion into new territories.