Pre-Columbian
Aztec Empire
established in the 14th century in Mesoamerica, boasted a sophisticated socio-political structure.
Enlightenment
emphasized reason, individual liberty, and the pursuit of knowledge. It challenged traditional authority, fostering a spirit of critical thinking and skepticism.
New Imperialism
refers to the late 19th and early 20th-century expansionist policies pursued by European powers and the United States. The primary causes can be attributed to economic interests, nationalism, and the desire for strategic control.
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points
aimed to establish principles for post-war peace and self-determination (led to the establishment of the League of Nations)
proxy war
several proxy wars emerged as the United States and the Soviet Union sought to exert their influence and ideological dominance and avoid direct fighting between each other
Triple Alliance
a coalition of three city-states, with the dominant power being Tenochtitlan.
Scientific Revolution
brought about a paradigm shift in the understanding of the natural world, promoting empirical observation, experimentation, and the scientific method. It led to significant advancements in various fields, such as physics, astronomy, and medicine
British Raj
direct British (crown) rule over India
totalitarian
Decolonialization
the process of breaking free from colonial rule, regaining self-determination, and establishing sovereign nations.
Pochteca
skilled merchants not only bought and sold valuable goods like jade, gold, cotton, and exotic feathers across the empire but also served as secret agents for the Aztec rulers. As they traveled to distant markets and cities, pochteca gathered important information about other territories, their defenses, and their wealth and reported back to Aztec leaders.
Industrial Revolution
A new middle class emerged, made up of factory owners and businesspeople who became wealthy from industrial growth. However, the gap between rich and poor widened significantly. Living conditions in cities improved gradually with the introduction of better sanitation systems, public transportation, and eventually electricity. Education became more important as industries needed skilled workers, leading to the establishment of more schools.
the arrival of Western powers, notably the United States, through "Gunboat Diplomacy" forced Japan to open its doors to international trade.
War Guilt Clause
Germany had to accept blame for the war and pay reperations
Mujahideen
received support from the US and other Western countries during the Soviet-Afghan War
Encomienda System
complete public ownership of all property and means of production, with goods and services distributed based on need rather than ability to pay
Scramble for Africa and Berlin Conference
The "Scramble for Africa" refers to the period of intense colonization and territorial acquisition by European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Berlin Conference of 1884−1885 was a crucial event during this period, where 14 European nations met to decide how to divide Africa among themselves - remarkably, no African leaders were invited to participate in these discussions about their own continent.
Bolshevik Revolution
In October 1917, while World War I was still raging, the Bolsheviks seized power in what became known as the October Revolution. One of their first actions was to pull Russia out of World War I by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918
Cultural Revolution
the attack of traditional values, which led to widespread chaos and the suppression of intellectual and artistic expression
Casta Social Structure
a hierarchical system that classified individuals based upon their racial and ethnic background, including Europeans, indigenous peoples, Africans, and their mixed-race offspring. (This gave Europeans the highest status and privilege).
Society of Saint Domingue
structured around a rigid hierarchy, with wealthy white plantation owners, free people of color, and enslaved Africans. Slavery was deeply entrenched and cruelly enforced, fueling tensions and discontent among the enslaved population.
Meiji Restoration
aimed to restore imperial rule, abolish the feudal system, and rapidly modernize Japan, ultimately leading to its transformation into a powerful industrialized nation.
Appeasment
pursued by Britain and France in the 1930s, aimed to avoid another devastating war by appeasing German aggression. It involved granting concessions to Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, in the hope of maintaining peace.
British Mandate of Palestine
British control of Palestine after WWI until 1947 under the dominion of the League of Nations