Ideologies
Define Imperialism
The policy of a Nation-state to expand economically, politically, and demographically beyond its hearth.
1900 - 1929. Growing discontent and wealth inequality in the US and around the world led to the rise of Progressive thinkers and political movements seeking to tackle issues of health, wealth, labor, safety, gender inequality, and racial inequality.
The Progressive Age
Era in the late 1800’s when national prestige, commerce, and freedom of movement resulted in massive transcontinental and intercity railroad construction to link population, industrial, and transportation centers of a nation.
Railway Mania
Name 3 of the 5 Latin American Revolutions
Gran Columbia - 1810 - 1825, led by Simon Bolivar
Mexico - 1810 - 1820, led by Father Hidalgo
Texas - 1835 - 1836 - Led by Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin
Cuba - 1868 - 1898 - Resulted in the Spanish American War
Brazil - 1822 - Prince Pedro
What was the 1st Sino-Japanese War
1894 - 1895. The modern Japanese army and navy (IJA and IJN) crushed the poorly equipped Qing military, resulting in Korea, Taiwan, and several other smaller islands being ceded to Japan, allowing it to begin exerting pressure on China in the Partition.
Define Abolitionism
The global movement to abolish the practice and trade of chattel slavery, and emancipate all current slaves held by all nations.
The official policy of the late 19th Century and 20th Century Imperial Russian Government, promoting and forcing the assimilation of all peoples within their borders to adopt the Russian language, faith, and culture as their own.
Russification
The series of European invasions of African territories in a race to secure land and resources. Begun in the 1840’s, official decolonization began in Post-WW2.
The Scramble for Africa
Emperor Meiji declared a restoration of the political power of the Emperor of Japan, challenging and ultimately overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate. The following years under Emperor Meiji saw the almost overnight transformation of Japan from a feudal kingdom into a modern industrialized power. Allying with England and the United States, Japan invested in a new, modernized Navy and Army and began expanding in the Western Pacific.
The Meiji Restoration
The name of the rivalry between England and Russia in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The main focus was over influence and direct control over Central Asia, with Russia claiming the northern regions, while England claimed the southern and eastern region. Proxy wars in India and Afghanistan, along with Russia funding insurgencies in South Africa were common.
The Great Game
Define Women’s Suffrage
The movement in democratic nations to grant women equal voting rights, namely in the US and the British Empire with advocacy like ‘The Declaration of Sentiments’ at Seneca Falls, NY.
1870 - 1900. A period of rapid industrialization, often called ‘The Second Industrial Revolution’ due to the rapid advance of technology, including the discovery and development of oil and the internal combustion engine. Coined by Mark Twain, the technological advances often came with corruption and severe wealth inequality, leading to societal issues.
The Gilded Age
Define the Partition of China
Following the defeat of the Qing in the Opium War in 1834, European nations began partitioning China like Africa, with spheres of influence and direct colonial control. In 1895, following the Japanese victory in the 1st Sino-Japanese War, Japan conquered Manchuria. Only the US Open Door Policy in 1899 stopped the takeover of China, opening up all ports to all nations.
1861-1865. Fought between Secessionist/rebel States in the South and Unionist States in the North over the election of Abraham Lincoln and the feared abolition of slavery.
US Civil War
1853. US Commodore Perry’s expedition to Japan forcibly opens Japan up to foreign trade, showcasing American Naval power and cowing the Tokugawa Shogunate into signing trade agreements with the US. England and France would soon send their own delegations afterward.
Kurofune Raiko (The Black Ships)
What was the social movement aimed at reducing or outright banning alcohol consumption. The movement blamed alcoholism for most societal ills, such as domestic violence, religious and moral decay, and systemic poverty. Led to the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1920, ending in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.
Temperance Movement
The strategy of the Union against the Rebels to blockade all ports and seize control of the Mississippi River in order to prevent the Confederacy from funding itself through trade with Europe.
The Anaconda Plan
What happened with the Unification of Germany
1866 - 1871. The creation of an anti-Hapsburg alliance of Germanic states that unified under Prussia, declaring themselves as ‘The German Empire’, resulting in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. French defeat in 1871 forced the French and Austrians to recognize them as legitimate.
1899 - 1902; 1902 - 1913. Philippine Islands declare independence from Spain, but are ceded to the US. A war for independence fails when the US Army takes major population centers. Later, the Moro Rebellion saw Muslim majority islands rise up against the US, which resulted in US Marines deployed, where they earned the nickname: Leathernecks
Phillipine-American War
Define the Franco-Prussian War
King Napoleon III of France declared war on the nascent German Empire, attempting to prevent full unification, but was defeated in 1871 after less than a year of fighting. The defeat resulted in the capture of King Napoleon III, and resulted in the dissolution of the Monarchy in France.
The philosophical belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. It denies established truths, morality, and religious authority, often viewing human existence as insignificant in a cold, indifferent universe.
Nihilism
Define Reconstruction
1863 - 1877. The era following the US Civil War, in which the former rebel states were rebuilt after their punishing defeat, while measures were also taken to protect former slaves exercising their right to vote and own property. While some successes helped initial transition from a Slave based economy to a free economy, long term mismanagement, corruption, and shifting priorities in the Federal Government failed to fundamentally transform the culture of the south.
What happened in the Unification of Italy
As a result of the Revolutions of 1848, the Kingdom of Sardinia annexed and conquered a majority of Italian City-States, forging them into the Kingdom of Italy in 1871, with the fall of Rome.
Define The Greek War of Independence
1821 - 1832; A major uprising of Orthodox Greeks against their Muslim Turk oppressors, supported by Russia, France, and England, resulting in Greece obtaining freedom for the first time since 1453. Treaty forbid them from reclaiming Constantinople, which remained in Turkic hands. The defeat labeled the Ottoman Sultanate as ‘The Sick Man of Europe’, prompting Austrian and Russian interference in the Balkans.
Define the Spanish-American War
1898 (3 month war). Enforcing the Monroe Doctrine, a US Armored Cruiser, USS Maine, blew up in Havana Harbor, then controlled by Spain. Thanks to sensationalist and false news published by William Randolf Hearst, the US public demanded war with Spain. The Battle of Cavite Bay in May crushed the Spanish Fleet in the Pacific. US Victory gave the US the Phillipines, Cuba (as a Protectorate), Puerto Rico, and Guam.
An economic and political system characterized by public or collective ownership of the means of production, aimed at reducing inequality and ensuring production for use rather than profit. Core principles include egalitarianism, social ownership, and economic planning to meet human needs.
Socialism/Marxism
Who was Cecil Rhodes
Prime Minister of the English Cape Colony 1890-1896. Envisioned the Cape-to-Cairo railroad which ultimately failed. Expanded British rule in Central-East Africa. His estate founded the ‘Rhodes Scholarship’ fund.
The belief that the United States of America should expand across the continent from the original territory won in the Revolution to the Pacific. The belief in part grew out of American Nationalism
Manifest Destiny
What was the Boxer Rebellion
1899 - 1901. A nationalist rebellion by The Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, called ‘Boxers’ by foreigners, and opposed by the 8 Nation Alliance. The Uprising targeted foreigners, particularly Christians, and those Chinese peoples who had converted, martyring them before launching attacks on the Foreign Delegations. Ultimately, the Boxer Rebellion was put down by superior firepower, logistics, and strategy of the 8 Nation Alliance.
Define the Opium Wars
A series of wars technically begun by the Qing in a crackdown on Opium smuggling by the British. 1839–1842; 1856–1860. Both Chinese defeats, led to England gaining massive territorial and trade agreements that favored the British Empire
Define Nationalism
The belief in or identity of people with their nation, emphasizing loyalty and pride in the idea of their country (be it the State, Monarchy, or Institutions of the Government).
Tycoons/Robber Barons of the 19th Century
A derogatory term thrown at leading industrialists and capitalists who built national and international businesses. Often accused of unscrupulous business practices to reduce competition.
A 19th-century movement aiming for the cultural and political unity of Slavic peoples, particularly those under foreign rule in the Balkans and Austro-Hungarian Empire as part of Russian ambitions to expand into Southern Europe.
Pan-Slavism
Define The Boer Wars
A series of two wars resulting in the annexation and dissolution of the Transvaal and Orange Republic of South Africa. The first Boer War, fought in 1880-1881 was a British defeat. The second, fought between 1899-1902, resulted in a British victory, and major reforms to its doctrine, tactics, supply, armament, and training, allowing the British Army to be better prepared for World War I (The Great War)
Define The Zulu War
Seeking to unify the African Kingdoms and Boer states into a single British commonwealth, the English launched an invasion of the Zulu Kingdom in 1878. Though ultimately victorious, the British suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana.