150 Fabulous Terms (Jess/Vicky) Flashcards
Abbasid Dynasty
(750-1258) Ruling family of the islamic Empire during its golden age. This dynasty is responsible for many achievements
African National Congress
A group formed in protest of the policy of Apartheid in South Africa. It was eventually outlawed due to their violent tactics, and Nelson Mandela, one of its leaders, was imprisoned
African Trading Kingdoms
three African kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that were important in the trans-Sahara trade of gold from the west coast of Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. Their trade provided enough wealth to create the conditions necessary for cultural intellectual achievement
Alexander the Great
(356-323 BC) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to
Anwar al-Sadat
(1918-1981) president of Egypt between 1970 and 1981. Assassinated by Islamic fundamentalist for making peace with Israel.
Analects
Collection of moral and social teaching of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships
Arafat, Yasir
(1928-present) President of the Palestine national authority and chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Considered by many to be a terrorist, he has in recent years been accepted as the legitimate authority to speak for the Palestinians. His goals are to create a homeland for the displaced Palestinians
Archipelago
A group or chain of islands
Ataturk, Mustafa Kemal
(1881-1938) Nationalist leader of Turkey who is responsible for modernizing and westernizing his country after World War I. This enabled turkey to resist imperialist attempts at takeover by various European powers
Ayatollah Khomeini
(1900?-1989) Islamic religious leader who led a fundamentalist revolution in Iran in 1979. Ruled until 1989
Aztecs
A Mesoamerican civilization of Mexico who created a strong empire that flourished between the 14th and 15th century. The arrival of Hernando Cortez and the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire
Baron de Montesquieu
(1689-1755) Enlightenment thinker from France who wrote a book called, The Spirit of the Laws in 1748. He states that government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch. Montesquieu explained that under this system each branch would Check and Balance the others, which would help protect the people’s Liberty
Berlin Airlift
A re-supply operation to the city of Berlin that lasted 11 months during 1947-49 when the Soviet Union attempted to close off the city
Blitzkrieg
German word meaning lightening war. It was a German army tactic during WW2 which called for moving hard hitting drives into enemy territory
Boer War
(1899-1902) War between Great Britain and the Boers in South Africa over control of rich mining country. Great Britain won and created the Union of South Africa comprised of all South African colonies
Bolshevik
Early name of communists during the Russian Revolution of 1917
Bonaparte Napoleon
(1769-1821) Emperor of the French. Responsible for many French Revolution reforms as well as conquering most of Europe. He was defeated at Waterloo, and died several years later on the island of Saint Helena
Boxer Rebellion
(1900) a rebellion by the ppl of China to end foreign domination
Brezhnev, Leonid
(1906-1982) Leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. During his control of the Soviet Union, relations with the West as well as the Soviet economy, experienced a long period of stagnation
British East India Company
A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years
Bushido
Code of conduct for Samurai and nobles during Japanese feudalism
Byzantine Empire
(330-1453) the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century CE. It’s capital was Constantinople, named after the emperor Constantine
Calvin, John
(1509-1564) theologian and church reformer who developed a form of Protestantism during the reformation. His church is known for the idea of predestination, which states certain people are predestined for heaven
Catherine the great
And enlightened despot who ruled over Russia. she is responsible for many positive changes in Russia, was well as securing the country a warm water port
Centralized government
A government which controls all aspects of society from a central location or through a central system
Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Accident
(1986) this accident released large amounts of radiation that not only affected the immediate area (Ukraine), but was also carried on strong winds across many countries in Europe. The effects of this accident have to date been an increase in cancer victims, birth defects, and the destruction of many acres of good land
Chinese communist revolution
A political revolution in China led by Mao Zedong. after several years of fighting the Kuomintang, the communists won control of the country in 1949
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
A gas constraining carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and flourine. It’s used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays. CFCs are reputed to be damaging to the earths protective ozone layer
Civil disobedience
The purposeful breaking of laws to protest actions by the government. GANDHI
Cold War
Non shooting conflict between the Soviet Union and their allies and the United States and their allies. Numerous secondary conflicts arise due to the Cold War
Colombian Exchange
The exchange of goods and other things, such as disease from Old War (Europe) to the new world (N & S America) and back
Commercial Revolution
A dramatic change in the economy of Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. It’s characterized by an increase in town and trade, the use of banks and credit, and the establishment of guilds to regulate quality and price
Communist Revolution
A political revolution in Russia beginning in 1917. The Bolsheviks, now known as communists, overthrew Czar Nicholas II and created a socialist government based upon the writings of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Also known as the Bolshevik Revolution
Confucius
(551-476 BC) Chinese philosopher and writer of The Analects, a collection of moral and social teaching, including 5 relationships
Constantine
(274-336 CE) Roman Emperor between 306 CE and 337 CE. He issued the edict of Milan, which outlawed the persecution of Christians. He also founded the city of Constantinople, the future capital of the Byz Empire
Containment
A Cold War policy that called for containing communism to areas already under its influence. This policy was proposed by US president Harry Truman
Copernicus, Nicolaus
(1473-1543) Polish astronomer who wrote On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. Theorized that the earth orbited the sun (heliocentric) and laid the foundations of modern astronomy
Cortez, Hernan
(1485-1547) Spanish conquistador who was responsible for the conquest of the Aztec Empire and the claiming of much of Central America for the Spanish
Counter-Reformation
The movement initiated by the Catholic Church to contain the Protestant Reformation and, if possible, end it
Coup d é’tat
The act of overthrowing a govt in favor of another, usually through violence
Crusades
European Christian military expeditions made between the 11th and 13th centuries to restate the Middle Eastern Holy Lands occupied by the Muslims
Cultural Revolution
(1966-1976) Political policy started in China by Mao Zedong to eliminate his rivals and train a new generation in the revolutionary spirit that created communist China. The Cultural Revolution resulted in beatings, terror, mass jailings, and the deaths of 1000s
Da Gama, Vasco
(1469-1524) Portuguese explorer who, in 1498, established an all water route to India
Da Vinci, Leonardo
(1452-1519) An Italian painter, sculptor, engineer, inventor and magician (jk, well maybe). Famous works include Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Also left a variety of sketches showing flying machines and underwater board centuries before the invention of plans and subs (“Renaissance Man”)
De Cervantes, Miguel
(1547-1616) Spanish Renaissance writer. His greatest work is the comedic tale Don Quixote.
De Klerk, F. W.
(1936-?) the white South African president who ended Apartheid in the early 1990s
Deforestation
The widespread destruction of the worlds forests. One of the largest areas of destruction is the tropical rainforests. These forests are cut down for hardwood lumber, farming/building space, and for grazing animals
Deng Xiaoping
(1904-1997) Chinese Communist leader. Ruled from 1978-1997
Descartes, Rene
(1596-1650) French intellectual who challenged traditional ideas. He said that human reason was capable of discovering and explaining the laws of nature and man. The idea of human reason being superior to tradition led to the beginning of the Enlightenment, a time of political awakening that became a revolution
Détente
A policy during the Cold War which was aimed at relaxing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The policy calls for increased diplomatic and commercial activity
Divine Right
The justification of monarchy through the word of God
Dynastic Cycle
In China, a dynasty would remain in power only as long as it as providing good government. When a dynasty went into decline, and began to abuse it’s power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong leader would usually emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle would then begin again
Eightfold path
Code of Behavior for followers of Buddhism
Elizabeth I
(1533-1603) Queen of England and Ireland between 1558 and 1603, absolute monarch, one of the most successful rulers of all time
Encomienda System
A system of production in Spain’s new world possessions which granted permission to conquistadors to enslave as many people needed to work a plantation
Engels, Friedrich
(1820-1895) German socialist and co-author of the Communist Manifesto
English Bill of Rights
(1689) A bill of rights written after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 which places William and Mary on the throne of England. The bill created a limited monarchy and established Parliament as the ruling body of the nation
Enlightened Despots
A monarch who retains absolute control of their country while also enacting reform based on Enlightenment ideas
European Union
Economic union between countries in Europe for mutual gain. Originally formed in 1951 as the European Coal and Steel Company ECSC, it later became the European Community in 1967, the the EU in 1991
Extraterritoriality
A policy that guaranteed European citizens in China were only subject to the laws of their own nation and could only be tried by their own courts
Ferdinand and Isabella
During the late 15th century, they became king and queen of United Spin after centuries of Islamic domination. Together, they made Spain a strong Christian nation and also provided funding to overseas exploration, notably Christopher Columbus
Five pillars of Islam
Code of behavior for followers of Islam. Charity, daily prayer, profession of faith, Ramadan fasting, pig rinse to Mecca called Hajj
Five Relationships
Confucian philosophy about social order where everyone has a place and respect is paid to elders, parents, & govt. ruler to ruled, father to son, older to younger bro, husband to wife, friend to friend
Four Noble Truths
Siddhartha Guatama’s philosophy of the nature of human suffering and its relation to desire is articulated by 4 statements
Frederick the Great
(1712-1786) King of Prussia 1740-1786. Enlightened despot who enlarged Prussia by gaining land from Austria when Maria Theresa became Empress
Galileo
(1564-1642) Italian astronomer. A founder of Europe’s scientific rev, one of his main contributions is the application of the telescope to astronomy. He was able to prove Copernicus’ heliocentric model is correct
Gandhi, Mohandas
(1869-1948) Nationalist leader in India, called for a non violent revolution to gain his countries’ freedom from the British Empire
Guatama, Siddhartha
(563-483) Indian philosopher and founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste, by all account led a luxurious lifestyle, he was troubled by human misery he saw. Deduced that desire = root of all suffering. AKA Buddha
Genghis Khan
(1166-1227) One of the Mongols greatest leaders and founder of the Mongol Empire
Glasnost
A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which called for more OPENNESS with the nations of the WEST, relaxing restraints on Soviet citizenry/less censorships more freedom
Glorious Revolution
Political revolution in Great Britain in 1688 that put William and Mary on the throne, while limiting the power of the monarchy and making Parliament supreme. This event marks the beginning of a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY in England
Gorbachev, Mikhail
(1931- ) Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991. Perestroika and Glasnost policies, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union, contributed to the downfall of communism
Green Revolution
20th century scientists work to improve agriculture especially areas of high populations. Technologies developed include better irrigation systems, new machinery built to handle larger production, new varieties of grain/livestock. Limited success due to high costs of technologies for small farmers
Gupta Dynasty
(320-550) Ruling family in India during its golden age. Responsible for many achievements
Henry VIII
(1491-1547) King of England, transformed country to Protestant nation during reformation
Hitler, Adolf
(1889-1945) Austrian-born leader of Germany. Co-founded Nazi party, gained control of country and chancellor in 1933, started World War II with invasion of Poland. Responsible for the holocaust
Hobbes, Thomas
(1588-1697) English philosopher and political theorist. Wrote Leviathan, favoring ABSOLUTE govt as only means of balancing human interests and desires with their rights of life and property
Humanism
Philosophical movement during Renaissance that stressed life on earth and the quality of being human. Rejected living only for the afterlife of Christianity
Hunting and Foraging
System of food production for prehistoric people. Involves hunting animal/gathering foods
Hussein, Saddam
(1937- ) President of Iraq since 1979. Led his control in 2 devastating wars, one against Iran (1989-88) and the Persian Gulf War (1990-91) which started as a result of his invading Kuwait
Inca
A Mesoamerican civilization of South America centered in Peru. The inca ruled a large empire and had many cultural/scientific achievements including a elaborate road system, agriculture, and terrace farming. The arrival of Spanish Conquistadors ended their empire in the 15th century
Indian National Congress
Nationalistic organization in India with the purpose of ending British control. prominent members include Gandhi and Nahru
Interdependence
Mutual assistance or reliance between 2 or more parties
Irish Potato Famine
1844 main crop of Ireland, potatoes, were destroyed by disease. Irish farmers grew other food items (oats and wheat) but British required them to export those items, leaving nothing for Irish to live on. Millions died in Starvation/disease, other migrate to US
Islamic Fundamentalists
Muslims who believe the Quarantine to be a literal guide to political, social, and religious life
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Conflict over landownership in Israel/Palestine. This conflict has at time involved most of the nations of the Middle East as well as the United Stares and the Soviet Union. Widespread terrorism against Israel and its allies occurs because of this conflict
Chang Kai Shek
(1887-1975) Leader of the Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party in China. Fought to keep China from becoming communist, and to resist the Japanese during World War II. He lost control of China in 1949, and fled to Taiwan where he set up a rival govt
Justinian’s Code
A law code created by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian about 530 CE. Revision of the old Roman law system
Kenyatta, Jomo
(1894-1978) Independence leader who helped lead Kenya out of European imperialism after World War II
Laissez-Faire Economics
This was an economic philosophy begun by Adam Smith in his book, Wealth of Nations, that stated that business and the economy would run best with no interference from the government. This economic system dominated most of the industrial revolution
Locke, John
(1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist. He wrote Two Treaties on Government which explained that all men Natural Rights, which are Life, Liberty, Property, and the purpose of government was to protect these rights
Louis XIV
(1638-1715) Known as the Sun King, he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of the palace at Versailles
Luther, Martin
(1483-1546) Theologian and religious reformer who started the Reformation with his 95 Theses which protested church corruption/the sale of indulgences
Machiavelli, Niccolo
(1469-1527) Italian historian, statesman, political philosopher of the Renaissance. His greatest work is The Prince, a book of political advice to rulers in which he describes the methods that a prince should use to acquire and maintain pol power. This book was used to defend policies of despotism and tyranny. Ruler should take any action to remain in power “The ends justifies the means”
Magna Carta
Document granted rights to both the Church in England and the Nobility signed by King John 1215. This is considered to be the beginnings of BRITISH DEMOCRACY
Mali
One of the west African trading kingdoms. Rich in gold and est a vast trading network across the Sahra desert. Greatest ruler was Amanda Musa, converted to Islam and made a famous pilgrimage
Mandela, Nelson
(1918- ) A black South African leader who protested the policy of Apartheid and spent over thirty years in prison before becoming the first black president of South Africa
Mansa Musa
Emperor of the kingdom of Mali in Africa. He made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and est trade routes to the Middle East
Mao Zedong
(1893-1976) Leader of Communist party in China, overthrew Chang Kai Shek (Jiang Jieshi) and the Nationalists. Est China as the People’s Republix of China and ruled from 1949-1976
Marco Polo
(1254-1324) Italian explorer and author. He made numerous trips to China and returned to Europe to write of his journey. Responsible to knowledge exchanged between Europe and China during this time period
Marx Karl
(1818-1883), German political philosopher and writer. Coauthor with Friedrich Engels of The Communist Manifesto which described the new philosophy of scientific socialism, which is the basis for modern communism
Mauryan Dynasty
(321 BC- 1850 BC) Dynasty that united most of India under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya. Its greatest ruler, Ashoka, converted to Buddhism and was instrumental in its spread
Meiji restoration
The restoration of the emperor Meiji to power in Japan, overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868. Period of modernization
Michelangelo
( 1475-1565) an Italian sculptor, painter, poet, engineer, and architect. Famous works include the mural on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the sculpture of the biblical character David.
Militarism
Political policy that is dominated by the military and the competitive buildup of arms
NAFTA
North American free trade agreement, an economic treaty btwn Chanda, the United States, and Mexico to lower tariffs and crest a free trade environment. NAFTA was ratified by its member nations in 1994
Natural rights
Concept of John Locke’s that states all people have the right to life, liberty and property
Nehru, Jawaharlal
(1889-1964) Indian nationalist leader and the first prime minister of independent India from 1947 to 1964. Along with Mohandas Gandhi, he was instrumental in freeing India from Britain’s control
Neolithic revolution
( 10,000-8000BCE) the development of agriculture and domestication of animals as a food resource. This led to the development of permanent settlements and the start of civilizations
Newton, Isaac
(1642-1727) English scientist who discovers gravitation, invented calculus, and formulated the law of motion
Nuremberg trials
War crime trails held in Nuremberg after WWII to try the surviving Nazis concerning the Holocaust, aggressive at making, mistreatment of prisoners among other things.
OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, an international organization concerned with the crude oil policies of its member states. this organization was founded in 1960, and has 11 members, including Kuwait, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Urban Emirates, and Venezuela. due to their control of most of the worlds oil supply, OPEC has a strong influence on many industrialized nations
Open door policy
A policy of the United States that stated China should be open to all nations that which to trade then. The policy did not include the consent of the Chinese and was another form of imperialism
Opium war
In the early 19 th century, Great BritN began importing opium processed form poppy plants grown in the Crown Colony of India, into China, Chinese officials attempted to ban the importation of the highly addictive opium but ultimately failed. The British declared war on China in a series of conflicts called the Opium Wars. Superior British military technology allowed them to claim victory and subject the Chinese to a series of unequal treaties
Osama Bin Laden
(1957-) Saudi Arabian multimillionaire and leader of the terrorist organization al Qaeda. He is responsible for the numerous terrorist attack a on the United stars including the destruction of the World Trade Center
Ottoman Empire
Hereditary nation state centered I. turkey. It was founded in the late 13 th century after the collapse of the Byzantine Empire and extended across most of Asia Minor and the Middle East
Pahlavi, Muhammad Reza
(1919-1980) dictator ruler of Iran from 1941 to 1979. He was supported by the United States throughout most of the Cold War due to his anti communist stance. Overthrown during the Iranian Revolution of 1979
Parliamentary democracy
A form of government where the citizens elect members to represent them in parliament or legislative assembly
Pax Romana
A hundred year period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. Occurs during the first two centuries C.E.
Persian Gulf War
(1990-1991) Conflict btwn Iraq and a coalition of countries led by the United States to remove Iraqi forced from Kuwait which they had invaded in hopes of controlling their oil supply. A vey one sided war with the United States’ coalition emerging victorious
Peter the great
( 1672-1725) czar of Russia, he as responsible for the westernization of Russia in the 18th century
Pol Pot
(1925-1998) leader of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Pol Pot is responsible for the deaths of almost 2 million of his own people due to starvation, execution, and beatings
Protestant reformation
He protest against perceived wrong doings by the Catholic Church during the early 16th century. Main leaders were Martin Luther and John Calvin
Renaissance
A rebirth of cultural and intellectual pursuits after the stagnation of the Middle Ages. This period in European history, from about the 14 th through the 16th centuries, features major cultural and artistic changes
Rousseau, Jean Jacques
( 1712-1778) French writer and enlightenment philosopher who wrote a book called the social contract, where he stated that people were basically good and that society and its unequal distributions of wealth was he cause of most problems. Rousseau believed that give should be run according to the will of the majority, which he called the General Will. he claimed the General Will would always act in the best interest of the people
Russo Japanese war
(1904-1905) war between Russia and Japan over imperial possessions. Japan emerged victorious
Salt March
(1930) Passive resistance campaign of Mohandas Gandhi where many Indians protested the British tax on salt by marching to the sea to make their own salt
Scramble for Africa
Term given for the rapid invasion of Africa by the various European powers, began imperialism in Africa
Sepoy mutiny
(1857-1859) a revolt by the hired Hindu and Muslim spiders of the British East Indian company. It began as a result of the rifle cartridges that were distributed to the sepoys had to be bitten to remove a cover before being inserted into a gun. Rumors circulated among the sepoys that this cover had been greased with beef and pork fat. This angered Muslim Sepoys who were not supposed to consume pork and the Hindu sepoys who were no suppose to eats beef. Thus, the sepoys revolted against the British army which eventually ended the conflict through use of force. This resulted in the British govt officially taking control of India making it a colony.
Solidarity
An independent polish labor union which fought against communism in Poland in the 1980s. Most notable for helping to end communism in Poland and throughout Europe
Songhai
One of the west African trading kingdoms. Try wee rich in gold and established a vast trading network across the Sahara desert
Spheres of influence
An area of the country under the control of another. In China, these areas guaranteed specific trading privileges to each imperialist nation within its respective sphere
Stalin, Josef
(1879-1953) the general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party from 1922 until 1953. Known for his brutality in dealing with opponents and his failed policies of collectivism that caused widespread famine across the Soviet Union.
Tiananmen Square Massacre
A political and social protest by university students in Beijing, China in 1989. The protest called for political and social reforms and resulted in the government using the military to end it, which caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injured and many more imprisoned
Tokugawa shogunate
(1603-1867) feudal warlord rulers of Japan. Responsible for closing Japan of from the rest of the world. Overthrown during the Meiji Restoration.
Totalitarian state
A state or country completely controlled by a single power, such as a monarch or dictator
Traditional economy
An economy based on agriculture, with others in society working in simple crafts, such as the manufacturing of cloth or pottery
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty ending WWI. It was extremely unfair to Germany, forcing them to accept all of the blames for the war. It is a major cause of WWII
Triangle trade
A catch all phrase for the trade occurring btwn Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Trade goods include raw materials from the Americas, manufactured goods from Europe and slaves from Africa
Tribalism
Feelings of loyalty to individual tribes, and the cause of much war and strife in modern Africa
United Nation
An international body composed of many countries that seeks to promote peace, prosperity, and cooperation around the world. It was formed in 1945 at the end of WWII
Voltaire
(1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad govt. he also spoke out against the corruption of the French govt, and the intolerance of the Catholic Church
Von Bismarck, Otto
(1815-1898) appointed Prussian chancellor in 1862. He began a program of war to unify all the German states under the control of Prussia. His policy as known as Blut und Eisen or Blood and Iron. He was the most powerful statesman in Europe as chancellor of the new German Empire from 1871 to 1890. He was known as the Iron Chancellor.
Walesa, Lech
(1943-) polish labor union leader, Nobel laureate, and President of Poland from 1990 to 1995. He was instrument in the collapse of communism in Poland and throughout Eastern Europe through the work of the labor union Solidarity
White mans burden
A poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1899. It is also given the name to the idea that the culture of the native populations where European imperialism was occurring were inferior to western nations. Some interprets Kipling’s poem to mean that it was the duty of imperil sizing nations to bring western culture and sensibility to the savage native populations that wee encountered in far off lands
William and Mary
King and queen of England from 1689 to 1702. They were placed on the throne as a result of the Glorious Rev , and ruled as limited monarchs
WWI
(1914-1918) European war in which alliances including Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States defeated the alliance of Germany, Austria Hungary , Turkey, and Bulgaria. Causes are M.A.I.N
WWII
( 1939- 1945) a war fought in Europe, Africa and Asia between the allied powers of Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union , and the United States against the axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan
Zheng He
(1371-1433?) chines naval explorer who sailed along most of the coast of Asia, Japan , and half way down the east coast of Africa before his death
Zionism
Jewish nationalist movement to establish a homeland in Palestine,. This movement began in the late 1800s, as anti-Semitic feelings intensified in Europe. The main leader of this movement was a journalist by the name of Theodor Herzl. Herzl’s dram of a homeland for Jewish people’s was realized in 1948 with the creation of Israel.
