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Fundamental Social Studies Vocabulary

Like all areas of study, the social studies make use of specialized academic vocabulary.  To fully understand the concepts in history, you should master the Fundamental Social Studies Vocabulary.  The terms below are basic to all social studies. 
civilization an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of art, science, industry, and government has been reached
culture the behaviors and ways of living developed by a group of humans and transmitted from one generation to the next
economy the management of the wealth and resources of a community or country
empire a collection of nations and peoples that are ruled over by one supreme leader
geography the study of the earth and its features, including the interaction of human life with the earth
government the form or system of rule by which a community is ruled; the group of people who exercise power over others
history a chronological record of events;  a narrative analysis of the past
military relating to soldiers or war
political relating to methods of government
primary source an account or evidence of history created by an eyewitness participant in that history
religion a set of spiritual beliefs about the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, which may include supernatural power, rituals, and a moral code of behavior
secondary source an account of history written after the event, which uses evidence and primary sources
social relating to society:  the system of human groups, how they are organized, and how they interact 
technology the use of tools and knowledge for the purpose of making things
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