Road to Independence – Some Key Terms – Online Classroom Portal

Grade 6: Social Studies Skills Road to Independence – Some Key Terms

The following terms are important in our study of Jamaica’s Independence.

```
Colonial Rule
```
```
 Commonwealth
```
```
Franchise
```
```
Nation
```
```
Independence
```
```
Monarchy
```
```
Revolution
```
```
Universal Adult Suffrage
```
```
Political Party
```
```
Trade Union
```
```
Self Government
```
```
Constitution
```

Colonial Rule:

The policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation extending its control over other countries, especially in establishing settlements or exploiting their resources.

Commonwealth:

This is the body inclusive of the United Kingdom and countries that are still under British rule as well as those that were previously part of the British Empire, and dependencies.

Franchise:

This is the right to vote in public elections.

Nation:

A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.

Independence:

The freedom and ability to make your own decisions in life, without having to ask other people for permission, help, or money. Political freedom from control by the government of another country.

Monarchy:

Monarchy, political system based upon the undivided sovereignty or rule of a single person. The term applies to states in which supreme authority is vested in the monarch, an individual ruler who functions as the head of state and who achieves his or her position through heredity.

Revolution:

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.

Universal Adult Suffrage:

Universal suffrage (also called universal franchise, general suffrage, and common suffrage of the common man) gives the right to vote to all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender, social status, race, ethnicity, or any other restriction, subject only to relatively minor exceptions.

Political Party:

An organization of people who share the same views about the way power should be used in a country or society and who field candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their agenda.

Trade Union:

Labour unions or trade unions are organizations formed by workers from related fields that work for the common interest of its members. They help workers in issues like fairness of pay, good working environment, hours of work and benefits.

Self Government:

Government of a country by its own people, especially after having been a colony.

Constitution:

The basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.