Imperial Power and Territorial Expansion
The British East India Company acted as a powerful _________, governing large regions of India before direct British rule.
Colonizer – The person or group that establishes and maintains control over a colony.
The 16th-century focus on accumulating silver and gold for national power reflected the economic policy of _________.
Mercantilism – An early economic system focused on increasing national wealth through trade and the accumulation of precious metals.
The spread of jazz from African American communities to Europe in the 1920s illustrates _________ between cultures.
Acculturation – The blending or exchange of cultural traits between groups.
Enslaved Africans brought to the Americas maintained family ties and culture across oceans, forming a widespread _________.
Diaspora – The dispersion of a group of people from their original homeland.
Scholars studying how African nations continue to face political and economic challenges after gaining independence are engaging in _________ analysis.
Postcolonialism – The study and analysis of the cultural, political, and economic legacies of colonialism.
The rapid 19th-century acquisition of African lands by European powers is known as the “Scramble for Africa,” a prime example of _________.
Imperialism – The policy or ideology of extending a nation’s power through diplomacy, military force, or cultural domination.
Many developing nations in the 20th century remained dependent on Western corporations through a pattern known as _________.
Neocolonialism – Modern economic or political control over developing countries by powerful nations or corporations.
European missionaries in Africa believed they were bringing “civilization,” displaying strong _________.
Ethnocentrism – The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.
Led by Mahatma Gandhi, India’s independence from British rule in 1947 became one of the most influential examples of global _________ movements.
Decolonization – The process by which colonies gain independence and reclaim political, cultural, and economic autonomy.
Antonio Gramsci’s writings on how the ruling class maintains power through culture and ideas focus on the concept of _________.
Hegemony – The dominance or leadership of one group over others, often maintained through cultural and ideological influence rather than direct coercion.
Japan’s 20th-century occupation of Korea and Manchuria reflected its drive for territorial _________.
Expansionism – A policy that encourages territorial or economic growth.
The rise of international trade networks, digital communication, and interdependent economies characterizes the modern era of _________.
Globalization – The process by which the world becomes increasingly connected through trade, communication, and culture.
When Western education systems replaced local traditions in colonized societies, it reflected _________ over knowledge and values.
Cultural Imperialism – The dominance of one culture over others through media, education, or ideology rather than direct force.
During the 1770s, colonists in Boston organized boycotts, formed committees, and eventually waged war against British authorities as a form of _________ against imperial policies.
Resistance – Efforts by individuals or groups to oppose or challenge oppression and control.
During the 19th century, industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller amassed vast fortunes through privately owned businesses, exemplifying the economic system of _________.
Capitalism – An economic system in which trade, industry, and production are privately owned and operated for profit.
The people of the Congo were brutally exploited under King Leopold II, showing the suffering of the _________ during European control.
Colonized – The people or regions subjected to control by another power.
During the Industrial Revolution, Europe’s need for raw materials and labor intensified systems of _________.
Exploitation – Taking unfair advantage of people or resources for personal or national gain.
Karl Marx argued that social classes were organized in a rigid _________ where the wealthy controlled the means of production.
Social Hierarchy – The ranking of people or groups based on power, status, or wealth.
The forced removal of Native peoples from ancestral territories during U.S. westward expansion was an act of _________.
Displacement – The forced movement of people from their homes or land due to conflict, colonization, or environmental change.
Native American children were forced into U.S. boarding schools to adopt English language and customs, an example of cultural _________.
Assimilation – The process of adopting the culture and norms of another (usually dominant) group, often at the loss of one’s own.
By the late 19th century, France ruled an overseas _________ stretching from North Africa to Southeast Asia.
Empire – A collection of territories or nations ruled by a single power.
The shift from small family workshops to factory-based production in 18th-century Britain marked the onset of _________.
Industrialization – The shift from an agricultural to a manufacturing-based economy.
Dominant ideas like “Manifest Destiny” in the U.S. justified expansion by promoting a national _________.
Ideology – A system of beliefs or ideas that shape how people view the world and justify power relations.
The recognition of Native nations’ right to govern themselves and control their resources represents _________.
Indigenous Sovereignty – The right of Indigenous peoples to self-govern and maintain their land, traditions, and identities.
The transatlantic exchange of crops, animals, and technology after 1492 exemplifies _________.
Cultural Diffusion – The spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one culture to another.