Absolute Advantage – exists in the production of a good when one country can produce
a good more efficiently than another country.
Absolute Location – the exact position on the globe using addresses, grid coordinates,
or the imaginary lines of longitude and latitude
Acid rain – a type of polluted rain, produced when acids from smokestacks combine
with water vapor that can harm lakes, forests, and human health
Adapt – to change or tailor something to fit, humans change their environment or their
way of doing something to fit their current needs or goals.
Advertising – information provided to encourage the purchase or use of a good, service
or idea by emphasizing its positive qualities.
Affirmative Action – efforts to recruit or hire members of underrepresented groups,
such as women and minorities.
Allegiance – devotion or loyalty.
Allocation – the process of choosing which needs will be satisfied and how much of our
resources we will use to satisfy them.
Alternative Courses of Action – the other choice that could have been made which are
inherent in every decision.
Altitude - the height of a thing above sea level or above the earth's surface.
Amendment (to the U.S. Constitution) – changes in, or additions to, a constitution.
Proposed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or at the request of two-thirds
of the state legislatures. Ratified by approval of three-fourths of the states.
American Influence on Foreign Countries – as the most powerful nation and economy
in the world the United States affects the cultures, economies, and politics of nations
worldwide. When other nations seek access to and become part of the lucrative U.S.
market their own economies, cultures and politics are affected by American culture and
values.
American Political System/Presidential System – a system of government in which
the legislative and executive branches operate independently of each other and in which
power is distributed through a system of checks and balances.
Amnesty - a general pardon granted by a government, especially for political offenses.
Analog – a face clock with hands.
Anarchy - Absence of any form of political authority. A state of lawlessness,
confusion, and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government.)
Ancient history – history of people living from the beginnings of human society
through 300 CE
Apartheid – policy of separation of the races enforced by law
Appellate court - a court authorized to hear appeals
Apportionment – the distribution of legislative seats according to population
Arbitration – settlement of a dispute by the decision of a judge, umpire or committee.
Articles of Confederation – The first document created to govern the newly formed
government after the American Revolution. It created a “firm league of friendship”
among the 13 original states. The states agreed to send delegates to a Confederation
Congress. Each state had one vote in Congress.
Artifact – things made by humans, and used by archaeologists...
