World History Final Study Guide Flashcards

Step-by-step vocabulary flashcards covering the key periods and figures of World History from the Scientific Revolution to Digital Citizenship.

Scientific Revolution

Time period when people began using observation, experiments, and reason to understand the world, challenging old Church beliefs.

Geocentric

The belief that the Earth is the center of the universe.

Heliocentric

The theory that the Sun is the center of the universe.

Nicolaus Copernicus

The individual who proposed the heliocentric theory.

Galileo Galilei

An astronomer who used a telescope to support heliocentrism, discovered moons around Jupiter, and identified the phases of Venus.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

The physical principle stated as $Force = mass \times acceleration$.

Francis Bacon

Developer of the scientific method who believed that experiments and observation lead to knowledge.

Printing Press

An invention by Gutenberg that allowed ideas to spread quickly across Europe.

Natural Laws

Rules of nature discovered through the use of reason and science.

Enlightenment

A movement focused on reason, rights, and government reform.

John Locke

Philosopher who believed people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that government exists to protect these rights.

Voltaire

Enlightenment figure who supported freedom of speech and religion.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Advocate who argued that women deserve education and equal rights.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who believed people are naturally selfish and required a strong ruler to maintain order.

Baron de Montesquieu

The thinker who created the idea of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Rousseau

Philosopher who argued that government should follow the “general will” of the people.

Adam Smith

An economist who supported free-market capitalism.

The Social Contract

An agreement where people give government power in exchange for protection.

English Civil War

A conflict between Parliament and King Charles I resulting in a victory for Parliament and limited royal power.

Natural Rights

Rights that every person is born with.

Tolerance

The practice of accepting different beliefs and religions.

Constitutional Government

A government that is limited by laws or a constitution.

Fraternity

A term meaning brotherhood or unity among citizens.

Quartering Act

A British law requiring colonists to house British soldiers.

Stamp Act

A tax imposed by the British on printed materials in the colonies.

Colonial Representation

The demand for representation in Parliament, famously summarized by the slogan “No taxation without representation.”

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

Punishments imposed on the colonists following the Boston Tea Party.

3rd Estate

The social class in France composed of commoners, bourgeoisie, and peasants who faced high taxes.

King Louis XVI

The weak king of France during the time of the Revolution.

Marie Antoinette

The Queen of France blamed for excessive spending and luxury during the Revolution.

Storming of the Bastille

Occurred on July 14, 1889, marking the symbolic start of the French Revolution.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

A document that declared freedom and equality for citizens.

Maximilien Robespierre

A leader during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution.

Guillotine

An execution device used to behead individuals during the French Revolution.

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution when thousands were executed as “enemies.”

Code Napoleon

A legal code that promoted equality before the law and religious freedom.

Militarism

The policy of building strong militaries.

Alliances

Agreements made between countries for mutual protection.

Nationalism

Showing strong pride in one’s nation.

Imperialism

The practice of expanding empires or colonies.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

His assassination by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip was the immediate cause of WWI.

Black Hand

A Serbian nationalist group connected to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Schlieffen Plan

The German military strategy to quickly defeat France before shifting focus to Russia.

Blank Check

Germany’s promise of full support to Austria-Hungary.

Trench Warfare

A type of combat in which opposing troops fight from trenches, which resulted in a stalemate.

Shell Shock

The psychological trauma experienced by soldiers during war.

Treaty of Versailles

The agreement that ended WWI, which blamed Germany and required them to pay reparations.

War Guilt Clause

A specific part of the Treaty of Versailles where Germany accepted official blame for the war.

Reparations

Payments required of a defeated nation for war damages.

League of Nations

An international peace organization established after WWI that lacked military power.

Mussolini

The fascist dictator of Italy.

Black Shirts

The violent supporters of Mussolini in Italy.

Dawes Plan

A system of U.S. loans designed to help the German economy recover.

Existentialism

A philosophy focused on the meaning and choice of the individual.

Appeasement

The policy of giving in to aggressive demands in order to avoid war.

September 1, 1939

The date Germany invaded Poland, marking the start of WWII.

Spanish Civil War

A conflict between Republicans and Nationalists, with the Nationalists led by Francisco Franco emerging victorious.

Primary Source

Original, firsthand evidence from a time period, such as a diary, speech, or photograph.

Secondary Source

A source that explains or analyzes primary sources, such as a textbook or documentary.

Annotated Bibliography

A list of sources that includes summaries or explanations of each entry.

Digital Footprint

The information left online as a result of a person's digital activities.