Chapters 16-20 Vocabulary Flashcards
medievalism
devotion to the social values, customs, or beliefs thought to be characteristics of the European Middle Ages
oligarchy
rule by small elite
middlemen
in commerce, those who stand between the producer and the retailer or consumer
racism
belief in the superiority of one race over another or behavior reflecting such a belief
bankruptcy
legally, the condition of being declared unable to meet legitimate financial obligations or debts, requiring special supervision by the courts
overseer
someone who governs or directs the work of another
sabotage
intentional destruction or damage of goods, machines, or productive processes
fratricidal
literally, concerning the killing of brothers; the term is often applied to the killing of relatives or country men in feuds or civil wars
barbarism
the condition of being crude, uneducated, or uncivilized
caucus
an unofficial organization or consultation of like minded people to plan a political course or advance their cause, often within some larger body
royalty
the share of the proceeds from work paid to an investor, author, composer, and so on
default
to fail to pay loan or interest due
repudiate
To refuse to accept responsibility for paying a bill or debt.
protectorate
The relation of nation a strong nation to a weak one under its control and protection.
colossus
Anything of extraordinary size and power
resolution
In government, a formal statement of policy or judgment by a legislature, but requiring no legal statute.
intrigue
A plot or scheme formed by secret, underhanded means.
parallel
In geography, the imaginary lines parallel to the earth’s equator, marking latitude. There are 360 degrees of latitude on the globe.)
deadlock
To completely block or stop action as a consequence of the mutual pressure of equal and opposed forces.
dark horse
In politics, a candidate with little apparent support who unexpectedly wins a nomination or election.
mandate
In politics, the belief that an official has been issued clear by the electorate a charge to pursue some particular policy goal.
platform
The campaign document stating a party’s or candidate’s position on the issues, and upon which they “stand” for election.
indemnity
A repayment for loss or damage inflicted.
self-determination
In politics, the right of a people to assert its own national identity or form of government without outside influence.
homestead
A family home or farm with buildings and land sufficient for survival.
sanctuary
A place of refuge or protection, where people safe are safe from punishment by the law
fugitive
A person who flees from danger or prosecution.
topography
The precise surface features and details of a place-for example, rivers, bridges, hills-in relation to one another.
mundane
Belonging to this world, as opposed to the spiritual world.
statecraft
The art of government leadership.
isthmian (isthmus)
Concerning a narrow strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land.
mikado
A title of the Japanese emperor used by foreigners.
cloak-and-dagger
Concerning the activities of spies or undercover agents, especially involving elaborate deceptions.
manifesto
A proclamation or document aggressively asserting a controversial position or advocating a daring course of action.
booster
One who promotes a person or enterprise, especially in a highly enthusiastic way.
puppet government
A government set up and controlled by outside forces.
bigoted
Blindly or narrowly intolerant.
public domain
Land or other things belonging to the whole nation, controlled by the federal government.
apportionment
The allotment or distribution of legislative representatives in districts according to population. (re-apportionment occurs after each census according to growth or loss of population.)
splintering
Concerning the small political groups left after a larger group has divided or broken apart.
affidavit
A sworn, written testimony usually attested to by a notary public or legal officer.
martyr
One who is tortured or killed for adherence to a belief.
border state
The northernmot slave states contested by North and South; during the Civil War the four border states (Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri) remained within the Union, though they contained many Confederate sympathizers and volunteers.
balance of power
The distribution of political or military strength among several nations so that no one of them becomes too strong or dangerous
moral suasion
The effort to move others to a particular course of action through appeals to moral values and beliefs, without the use of enticements or force.
martial law
The imposition of military rule above or in place of civil authority during times of war and emergency.
ultimatum
A final proposal or demand, as by one nation to another, that if rejected, will likely lead to war.
loophole(d)
Characterized by small exceptions or conditions that enable escape from the general rule or principle.
squadron
A special unit of warships assigned to a particular naval task.
arbitration
The settlement of a dispute by putting the mandatory decision in the hands of a third, neutral party.
Mediation
Using the services of a third party to promote negotiations and suggest solutions, but without the power of mandatory decision-making.
habeas corpus
in law, a judicial order requiring that a prisoner be brought before a court at a specified time and place in order to determine the legality of the imprisonment (literally, “produce the body.”)
arbitrary
Governed by indeterminate preference or whim rather than by settled principle or law
quota
the proportion or share of a larger number of things that a smaller group is assigned to contribute
greenback
United States paper currency, especially that printed before the establishment of the Federal Reserve System
graft
the corrupt acquisition of funds, through outright theft or embezzling or through questionably legal methods like kickbacks or insider training
profiteer
one who takes advantage of a shortage of supply to charge excessively high prices and thus reap large profits
