10th Grade TAKS Vocabulary
Objective 1-The student will demonstrate an understanding of issues and events in U.S. history.
(8.1) History. The student understands traditional historical points of reference in U.S. history through 1877. The student
is expected to:
(C) explain the significance of the following dates: 1776, 1787, and 1861–1865.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Declaration of
A statement of reasons for the American colonies to break from Britain which was written in
Independence
1776
1787
The completion of the United States Constitution by the Constitutional Convention which had
met in Philadelphia
1861-1865
American Civil War between the North and the South
(8.4) History. The student understands significant political and economic issues of the revolutionary era.
The student is expected to:
(B) explain the roles played by significant individuals during the Revolution, including Thomas Jefferson and
George Washington.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
John Locke
Believed that all people are born free and equal with three natural rights – life, liberty and
property. Government is to protect these rights and if it did not citizens had the right overthrow
it. This idea was used by colonists to justify their revolt against Britain that al
Montesquieu
His ideas about separation of powers and checks and balances became the basis for the United
States Constitution
Thomas Jefferson
Writer of the Declaration of Independence
Samuel Adams
Opposed British taxation, believed colonial government was capable of self-government,
organized opposition to the Stamp Act, protests waged by the Sons of Liberty, supported the
Constitution subject to the Bill of Rights
George Washington
Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution
Patrick Henry
Influenced the colonial resistance to British taxation without representation. In a speech to the
Virginia House of Burgesses he stated: “….give me liberty, or give me death!.”
Thomas Paine
Author of Common Sense, which was a pamphlet that attacked the monarchial system and
supported independence. The leading propagandist of the American Revolution
(C) explain the issues surrounding [important events of] the American Revolution, including declaring
independence and the Articles of Confederation.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Enlightenment
An 18th century European movement which ideas inspired the American Revolution
French and Indian War After this war England believed the colonies should share in the cost of the war by way of
taxation.
Stamp, Sugar and Tea Various taxes England imposed on the colonies, which led to the Revolution
Acts
Articles of
America’s first Constitution. Was replaced by the US Constitution in 1787
Confederation
Boston Massacre
Incident involving the death of five colonists at the hand of British troops on March 5, 1770.
(8.16) Government. The student understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. Constitution and
other important historic documents.
The student is expected to:
(C) identify colonial grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence and explain how those grievances were
addressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Unalienable Rights
God given rights given to all people which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
Great Compromise
A agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that create the American system of
government.
New Jersey Plan
Small state plan which asked for a legislative branch based on equal representation.
Virginia Plan
Plan submitted by James Madison which called for 3 branches of government and a legislative
branch using population as the bases of representation.
3/5 Compromise
An agreement passed by the Constitutional Convention in which slaves were to be counted as
3/5’s for both population as well as taxation.
Electoral College
A group of voters chosen by each state to elect the president and vice-president of the United
States.
Amending Process
The process of proposal and ratifying to change the U.S. Constitution
Objective 2- The student will demonstrate an understanding of geographic influences on historical issues
and events.
(8.10) Geography. The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
The student is expected to:
(B) answer questions about geographic distributions and patterns shown on maps, graphs, charts.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Interpret
to give or provide the meaning of
(WH12) Geography. The student understands the impact of geographic factors on major historic events.
The student is expected to:
(B) analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major events in world history.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Columbian Exchange
The global transfer of food, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas
monsoon
A wind that effects climate by changing direction in certain seasons
Silk Roads
Caravan routes traders used to bring silk from China to Western Asia and on to Rome
Slave trade
International trade in humans
Mongols
Horsemen from the central Asian plateau who conquered the largest land empire in history
(WH12) Geography. The student understands the impact of geographic factors on major historic events.
The student is expected to:
(C) interpret historical maps to identify and explain geographic factors that have influenced people
and events in the past (correlates with WG21C).
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Latitude
Distance north or south from the earth's Equator measured through 90 degrees
Longitude
Distance east or west from the earth’s Prime Meridian through 180 degrees
Continent
Continuous landmass on individual tectonic plates
Region
A broad geographic area distinguished by similar features
Scale
Ruler that measures distance on a map
Key
Something that gives an explanation or identification
(WH23) Science, technology, and society. The student understands how major scientific and mathematical discoveries
and technological innovations have affected societies throughout history.
The student is expected to:
(A) give examples of [major mathematical and scientific discoveries and] technological innovations that occurred
at different periods in history and describe the changes produced by these discoveries and innovations (correlates
with WG19A and WG20A).
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Industrial Revolution
The development of making goods by machine instead of by hand
Scientific Method
Logical procedure for gathering information, in which experimentation and observation are used
to test hypotheses.
Printing Press
Mass production of the written word that allowed rapid spread of information
Scientific revolution
Major change in European thought starting in the mid 1500s in which the study of the natural
world began to be characterized by careful observation and questioning of accepted beliefs
Objective 3- The student will demonstrate an understanding of economic and social influences on historical
issues and events.
(WH14) Economics. The student understands the historic origins of contemporary economic systems.
The student is expected to:
(C) compare the relationships between and among contemporary countries with differing economic systems.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
GDP
Gross Domestic Product a method of determining the strength of a countries economy
Capitalism/market
The economic basis of the USA, based on private property, free economic choices, investment,
economy
and profit. The government should not interfere in the economy; lassie faire.
(opposite of socialism and communism).
communism
An economic system in which all means of production - land , mines, factories, railroads, and
businesses are owned by the people (often the totalitarian government), private property does
not exist, and all goods and services are shared equally (except by the totalitarian government).
feudalism
Political organization in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their
king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the
land.
socialism
An economic system in which the factors of production are owned by the public and operate for
the welfare of all (see communism)
Lassie faire
Literally:+ let people do as they please. Economic policy of letting owners of industry and
business to set working conditions without interference; i.e. free market, unregulated economy.
command economy
When the means of production and output are controlled by the government (see communism
and socialism
(WH1) History. The student understands traditional points of reference in world history.
The student is expected to:
(B) identify changes that resulted from important turning points in world history such as the development of
farming; the development of cities; the scientific and industrial revolutions; the political revolutions of the 18th,
19th, and 20th centuries; and the world wars of the 20th century.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
industrialization
The economic change from artisans to mass production or development of industries for the
machine production of goods.
subsistence agriculture Self sufficient agriculture that only feeds the immediate family.
Marxism
Political theory esposed by Karl Marx and Engles that focuses on the class struggle, and
dictatorship of the proletariat until the establishment of a classless society
Objective 4- The student will demonstrate an understanding of political influences on
historical issues and events.
(8.3) History. The student understands the foundations of representative government in the United States.
The student is expected to:
(A) explain the reasons for the growth of representative government and institutions during the colonial period.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
inalienable rights
incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred
Democracy
Government by the people
Limited government
An American idea where the rights and duties of government are limited to a document (US
Constitution) and the rights of the people are preserved.
(8.16) Government. The student understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. Constitution and
other important historic documents.
The student is expected to:
(A) identify the influence of ideas from historic documents including the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights,
the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, on the U.S. system of government.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Colonial grievances
Complaints from American colonists against the British government.
Influence
A power affecting a person, thing or course of events.
Federalism
An American system of government where power is split between the Federal and State
governments but the Federal government prevails.
Anti-federalists
Believed the federal government should be weaker than the states and that states rights
trumped federal authority.
(D) analyze how the U.S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and
balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Constitutional
A rule of action or conduct expressed in the United States Constitution.
principles
Popular sovereignty
Power through the vote of the people.
Republicanism
People vote for representatives who in turn make the laws.
(8.17) Government. The student understands the process of changing the U.S. Constitution and the impact of
amendments on American society.
The student is expected to:
(B) describe the impact of 19th-century amendments including the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments on life in the
United States.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
13th Amendment
Ended slavery in the United States. 1865
14th Amendment
Declared that all citizens were entitled to the same rights regardless of race. 1868
15th Amendment
Granted black men the right to vote. 1870
Civil War Amendments 13,14,15 Amendments collectively
Emancipation
Lincoln’s declaration of freedom for all slaves in Confederate territory.
proclamation
(8.18) Government. The student understands the dynamic nature of the powers of the national government and state
governments in a federal system.
The student is expected to:
(B) describe historical conflicts arising over the issue of states’ rights, including the
Nullification Crisis and the Civil War.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Nullification
the action of a state impeding or attempting to prevent the operation and enforcement within its
territory
Ordinance
Authoritative decree or order
tariff
A duty (import tax) imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods
duty
A tax imposed on imports
States’ rights
Where the states have the right to make decisions without being overruled by the national
government
suffrage
The right to vote
deregulate
the act or process of removing restrictions and regulations
(8.20) Citizenship. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States.
The student is expected to:
(A) define and give examples of unalienable rights.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Due process
a course of formal proceedings (as legal proceedings) carried out regularly and in accordance
with established rules and principles
seizures
the taking possession of person or property by legal process
Natural rights
Rights that all men are born with
Implied rights
Rights given indirectly, given as a consequence of another right
liberty
freedom
Expressed rights
Rights given by directly stating them
(B) summarize rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
quartering
To house or shelter
petition
to make a request; especially : to make a formal written request
incrimination
to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime or fault
(8.22) Citizenship. The student understands the importance of the expression of different points of view in a democratic
society.
The student is expected to:
(B) describe the importance of free speech and press in a democratic society.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
electorate
a body of people entitled to vote
Free speech
The right to gather and discuss issues openly
abridge
Diminish or reduce in scope
Objective 5- The student will use critical thinking skills to analyze social studies information.
(8.30) Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a
variety of sources including electronic technology.
The student is expected to:
(A) use primary and secondary sources to acquire information about the United States.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Primary source
A firsthand or eyewitness account of an event.
Secondary source
Any document that describes an event, person, place or thing, not created at the time it
occurred.
(D) identify points of view from the historical context surrounding an event and the frame of reference which
influenced the participants.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Point of view
The attitude or opinion of a narrator.
(F) identify bias in written and visual material.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Bias
An opinion that prevents one from making fair judgments.
(WH25) Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a
variety of sources including electronic technology.
The student is expected to:
(C) analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing,
contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and drawing inferences and conclusions
(correlates with WG21A).
Vocabulary Word
Definition
sequencing
Putting events in order.
inference
To conclude or judge based on information already known.
compare
Finding similarities.
Contrast
Finding differences.
generalizations
A principle, statement or idea that applies to a situation.
analyze
To examine by separating into parts.
summarize
Presenting the main idea of material in a short form.