US History Important Vocab

Front

Checks & Balances

Back

Key principle of US government; different branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) have powers that can limit the authority of other branches, preventing one from becoming too dominant.

Front

Armistice

Back

An agreement to stop fighting.

Front

Blitzkrieg

Back

A fast, surprise military attack used by Germany in WWII.

Front

Boycott

Back

To refuse to buy or use something as a protest.

Front

Carpetbagger

Back

A Northerner who moved South after the Civil War for gain.

Front

Separation of Powers

Back

A fundamental principle of government where power is divided among three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

Front

Manifest Destiny

Back

19th century belief that it was the divine mission of the United States to expand westward across North America.

Front

Jim Crow

Back

Laws enforcing racial segregation in the South.

Front

Marshall Plan

Back

U.S. aid to rebuild Europe after WWII.

Front

McCarthyism

Back

Accusing people of communism without proof.