Unit 6 Key Terms

Social Darwinism

The belief that only the fittest survive in human political and economic struggle.

Spheres of Influence

Areas in which countries have some political and economic control but do not govern directly. Exmplaes of this included western powers having trade control in CHina.

Karl Marx

1818-1883. 19th century philosopher, political economist, sociologist, humanist, political theorist, and revolutionary. Often recognized as the father of communism. Analysis of history led to his belief that communism would replace capitalism as it replaced feudalism. Believed in a classless society.

Convict Labor

A system of penal labor practiced in the Southern United States, beginning after the emancipation of slaves at the end of the American Civil War in 1865 to about around 1880, and officially ending in the last state, Alabama, in 1928.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Added in 1882. Denied any additional Chinese laborers to enter the country while allowing students and merchants to immigrate.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Scramble for Africa

Sudden wave of conquests in Africa by European powers in the 1880s and 1890s. Britain obtained most of eastern Africa, France most of northwestern Africa. Other countries (Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Spain) acquired lesser amounts.

Opium Wars

Wars between Britain and the Qing Empire (mind 1800s), caused by the Qing government's refusal to let Britain import Opium. China lost and Britain and most other European powers were able to develop a strong trade presence throughout China against their wishes. Also led to the creation of Spheres of Influence. This allowed Western Powers to trade what they wanted form China and all they could do was nod in agreement. There were two sets of Opium Wars. Opium was a strong drug that was highly addictive so many Chinese would illegally trade for more Opium.

New Deal

U.S. President Roosevelt's program to relieve the economic problems of the Great Depression; it increased government involvement in the society of the United States.

Cuban missile crisis

When In 1962, the Soviets constructed nuclear missiles in Cuba which brought days of tense confrontation between Khrushchev and U.S. President Kennedy. Khrushchev ultimately backed down, and the missiles were removed.