AP Euro 4

cataclysm

a large scale and violent event

coercion

the act of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats

pariah

an outcast

abdicate

renounce or give up one's throne

precursor

something that comes before and indicates the approach of something or someone else

provisional

temporary; existing until replaced by something permanent

coup

sudden, violent, illegal seizure of power

disillusionment

a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be

avant garde

new and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature

grotesque

comically or repulsively ugly or distorted

paramilitary

relating to a group that operates like an army but is not part of the official military forces

suppression

the act of preventing or stopping something by force

totalitarianism

centralized and dictatorial government

ruthless

showing no mercy or compassion; cruel and relentless

prominent

widely known, important, or famous

polarize

to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or factions

autocracy

a system of government where one person has absolute power and authority

tribunal

a court of assembly to conduct judicial business

supremacy

the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status

proxy

involving or acting as a substitute for someone or something else

resuscitation

the act of reviving or restoring something that has been damaged or weakened