Key Terms 1-30 Flashcards
Abdication
To renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function.
Abolitionism
Abolitionism was a social reform effort to abolish slavery in the United States.
Absolutism
the principle of complete and unrestricted government power, usually in the hands of one person, a dictator or despot.
agriculture
The deliberate effort to modify a portion of Earth’s surface through the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock for sustenance or economic gain
Anti-Semitism
hostility or prejudice against Jews Significance/Time Period/Region: By the late 1000s, Western Europe had become more christianized, and prejudice against Jews increased. When faced with disasters they could not understand (such as illness or famine), Christians often blamed Jews. (Example: Black Death / Bubonic Plague). Anti-Semitism was present and strongly influential during the Middle Ages in Europe.
Aristocracy
government headed by a privileged minority or upper class Significance/ Time Period/ Region: Between 750 BCE and 500 BCE, different forms of government were evolving in Greece. While Greece started off as a monarchy (in which a hereditary ruler exercises central power), at first a class of noble landowners defended the king. Over time, they won power for themselves resulting in an aristocracy.
assimilation
the process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society.
bias
Tendency toward prejudice; personal judgment
bureaucracy
A body of non-elected government officials that make policy
capitalism
Economic System characterized by private ownership, free-enterprise and lack of government in the economy
chiefdom
A society grouping governed by a chief who typically relies on generosity, ritual status, or charisma rather than force to win obedience from the people
censorship
when individuals or groups try to prevent others from saying, printing, or depicting words and images.
city-state
An autonomous state consisting of a city and surrounding territory
civilization
A relatively high level of cultural and technological development (including writing)
communism
Communism is a political and economic system in which the major productive resources in a society—such as mines, factories, and farms—are owned by the public or the state, and wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need.
colonialism
Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.
contemporary period
is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from approximately 1945 to the present
Post World War II
demography
The statistical study of human population especially related to size, distribution, density and vital statistics
diaspora
the movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from an established or ancestral homeland.
cultural diffusion
Spread of culture elements form one area or group to another through contact
diplomacy
and the means by which nations, groups, or individuals conduct their affairs, in ways to safeguard their interests and promote their political, economic, cultural or scientific relations, while maintaining peaceful relationships.
divine
it maintains that the king’s authority comes from God and, as such, the king is accountable only to God for his actions.
dynasty
A succession of rulers from the same family
Early modern period
(1450-1750) era is the period the Europeans “wake-up”, expand, and build empires.
