WHAP SPICE-T Vocabulary

hierarchy

a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

stratification

A structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society.

Egalitarian

promoting equal rights for all people

Elites

a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status

Aristocracy

A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility

Middle Class

A social class made up of skilled workers, professionals, business people, and wealthy farmers

Merchant Class

people who make their livings doing trades

Working Class

A social class broadly composed of people working in blue-collar, or manual, occupations.

Patriarchy

A form of social organization in which males dominate females

Matriarchy

A society ruled or controlled by women

Filial Piety

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Caste System

A Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life

Minority Group

people who are singled out for unequal treatment and who regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination

Social Mobility

Movement of individuals or groups from one position in a society's stratification system to another

Meritocracy

government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability.

Social Darwinism

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

Feminism

A female movement for gender equality.

city-state

a city that with its surrounding territory forms an independent state.

Divine Right

Belief that a rulers authority comes directly from god.

Kingdom

a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen.

Empire

A group of states or territories controlled by one ruler

nation/nation-state

A country who's population share a common identity.

agrarian

concerning farms, farmers, or the use of land

Autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

constitutional democracy

government of a community in which all citizens, rather than favored individuals or groups, have the right and opportunity to participate

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Colonialism

Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.

Imperialism

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

Communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

Fascism

A political system headed by a dictator that calls for extreme nationalism and racism and no tolerance of opposition

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

law code

written set of laws

Mandate of Heaven

a political theory of ancient China in which those in power were given the right to rule from a divine source

Diplomacy

the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad

caliphate

Islamic empire ruled by those believed to be the successors to the Prophet Muhammad.

Nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country

Nomad

a person who moves from place to place

Pastoralist

a member of a nomadic group that herds domesticated animals

Agriculture

farming

Natural Resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain

Demographics

statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

domestication of animals

the taming of animals and plants for human use, such as work or as food

Irrigation

A way of supplying water to an area of land

Metallurgy

the science of working with metals

Deforestation

Destruction of forests

Desertification

Degradation of land, especially in semiarid areas, primarily because of human actions like excessive crop planting, animal grazing, and tree cutting.

Plague

A widespread disease

Diaspora

A dispersion of people from their homeland

Crop Yield

the total quantity of crop that the land produces

Migration

Form of relocation diffusion involving permanent move to a new location.

Urbanization

An increase in the percentage and in the number of people living in urban settlements.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

Green Revolution

Rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology, especially new high-yield seeds and fertilizers.

epidemic

this is a regional outbreak of disease

pandemic

this is an outbreak of a disease the spreads worldwide

religion

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Religion vs belief system

Mutually supportive beliefs may form belief systems, which may be religious, philosophical or ideological. Religions are belief systems that relate humanity to spirituality.

Philosophy

A system of beliefs and values

Ideology

a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Polytheistic vs. Monotheistic

Belief in multiple gods vs. belief in one god

monumental architecture

architectural constructions of a greater-than-human scale, such as pyramids, temples, and tombs

Reincarnation

The rebirth of a soul in a new body

Ancestor Veneration

The practice of praying to your ancestors. Found especially in China.

Monasticism

The practice of living the life of a monk

Animism

Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life.

Syncretism

a blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith

Schism

division of a group with opposing beliefs

ethnic enclave

A place with a high concentration of an ethnic group that is distinct from those in the surrounding area

Government Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Pop Culture

modern popular culture transmitted via mass media and aimed particularly at younger people.

Subsistence Farming

farming in which only enough food to feed one's family is produced

Cash Crops

crops, such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, raised in large quantities in order to be sold for profit

Specialization of Labor

Focusing work effort on a particular product or a single task

Artisans

skilled workers who make goods by hand

Coerced Labor

forced labor systems (slavery, indentured servitude, debt peonage)

Chattel Slavery

Absolute legal ownership of another person, including the right to buy or sell that person.

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

Mercantilism

An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by selling more goods than they bought

Export Economies

goods produced in that region were not meant for domestic consumption

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of capital

Socialism

A system in which society, usually in the form of the government, owns and controls the means of production.

Liberalism

A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.

Efficiency

using resources in such a way as to maximize the production of goods and services

natural resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

globalization

Actions or processes that involve the entire world and result in making something worldwide in scope.

technology

Application of science to help people

technology

The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

output

Data that has been processed into a useful format.

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

Green Revolution

Rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology, especially new high-yield seeds and fertilizers.

Agricultural Revolution

The time when human beings first domesticated plants and animals and no longer relied entirely on hunting and gathering (neolithic)