World History: Spanish-American War to WWI

A system of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

A form of government where the state is considered public matter, ruled by elected officials.

A legal system originating in ancient Rome, which has influenced many modern legal systems.

An intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism towards traditional authority. This movement played a key role in shaping modern political and social thought.

An Enlightenment philosopher who argued for natural rights and government by consent. His ideas influenced the American Declaration of Independence.

An Enlightenment philosopher who believed in a strong central authority to avoid chaos and conflict. He is known for his work "Leviathan."

A significant and often violent change in political power and social structures. Examples include the American and French Revolutions.

The social classes in pre-revolutionary France: the clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate), and commoners (Third Estate). The Third Estate's discontent fueled the French Revolution.

A 1919 peace agreement designed to formally end World War I. It enforced harsh punishments on Germany, such as paying reparations, losing territory, and accepting blame for the war.

A global conflict that took place from 1914 to 1918, resulting in millions of casualties. It involved the major powers divided into two alliances: the Allied Powers (France, Britain, Russia, and later the United States) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria).

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist triggered the start of World War I.

A military strategy employed by Germany during World War I. They planned to quickly defeat France by attacking through Belgium before turning their attention to Russia.

A bloody and protracted form of combat characterized by deep trenches and intense battles between opposing forces in World War I. It led to a stalemate on the Western Front, resulting in an extended period of heavy losses.

The dangerous, unoccupied area between enemy trenches during World War I. It was a deadly zone for soldiers trying to traverse it.

A secret diplomatic message sent by Germany during World War I to Mexico, proposing an alliance against the United States. This message, when intercepted by the British, contributed significantly to the US siding with the Allies.

A term for the main causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

A proposal for a post-World War I peace settlement by President Woodrow Wilson. It aimed to prevent future conflicts by establishing a league of nations, promoting open diplomacy, and reducing militarism.

Payments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after WWI to compensate the Allies for damages.

The systematic killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during WWI.

The ruling ethnic group of the Ottoman Empire, who fought on the side of the Central Powers in WWI.

Factors that led to the downfall of the Tsarist regime in Russia in 1917, including political corruption, military defeats, and economic hardship.

The last Emperor of Russia, whose poor leadership contributed heavily to the Russian Revolution.

Leader of the Bolshevik Party that led the Russian Revolution and established a communist government.

A faction of the Russian socialist movement that eventually became the Communist Party and led the Russian Revolution.

A system of dispute resolution used by European powers after the Napoleonic Wars to maintain balance and prevent more conflict.

A conference held in 1814-1815 that aimed to reorganize Europe after Napoleon's defeat, seeking to restore order and stability.

A South American revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in the independence movements of various Latin American countries.

An Argentine general who was a key leader in the struggle for South America's independence from Spanish rule.

The leader of the Haitian Revolution, the first successful slave revolt, which led to the establishment of Haiti as an independent nation.

A period of major industrialization from the late 18th to early 19th century, transforming economies and societies globally.

The period of technological advancements in agriculture that preceded the Industrial Revolution, leading to increased crop productivity.

A technique where different crops are rotated in and out of a field to maintain soil fertility, crucial for the Agricultural Revolution.

This system involved manufacturing goods at home by hand before the Industrial Revolution.

The rapid increase in population during the Industrial Revolution, fueled by better living conditions and medical advancements.

A process where rural areas transform into cities, often driven by industrialization and economic opportunities.

Multi-family urban dwellings, often overcrowded and poorly maintained, typically housing working-class families in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A method developed in the 1850s for mass-producing steel by removing impurities from molten iron through air blowing, significantly reducing the cost of steel production.

Early industrial revolution inventions for spinning cotton. The Spinning Jenny (Hargreaves) allowed multiple spools to be spun simultaneously, while the Spinning Mule (Crompton) combined features of the Jenny and Water Frame to produce stronger, finer thread.

A significant invention by Richard Arkwright that employed water power to drive spinning wheels, greatly increasing the efficiency of textile production.

An artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that began in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotions, individualism, and nature.

An artistic and literary movement that arose in the mid-19th century that aimed to depict everyday life and society without romanticization.

An artistic and architectural style inspired by classical antiquity, highlighting simplicity, symmetry, and proportion.

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

A region where one state has the most influence over others, often without formal control.

Driven by economic interests, political ambitions, cultural beliefs, and technological advancements, imperialism sought to expand a nation's dominance.

The process by which a person or group adopts the culture and norms of another, often dominant, society.

A theory applying Darwin's concept of natural selection to human societies, used to justify imperialism, racism, and social inequality.

A concept popularized by Rudyard Kipling, suggesting that European colonizers had a duty to civilize and govern non-European peoples.

The process by which European powers colonized Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dividing the continent into colonies.

A large area in Central Africa colonized by Belgium under King Leopold II, known for its brutal exploitation and atrocities.

Two African nations that remained independent during the colonial period. Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, and Ethiopia, which successfully resisted Italian colonization.

A major, but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising in 1857-58 against British rule in India led by Indian soldiers (sepoys).

The period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947.

The historical foundations of democratic governance, including ancient Greek and Roman practices, Enlightenment ideas, and various legal and political reforms.