UNIT 5: REVOLUTIONS

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century that sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the establishment of various Protestant churches and significant changes in Christian practices and beliefs.

sig: Challenged the authority of the Pope, led to religious wars in Europe, and contributed to the rise of secularism.

Martin Luther

A German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation by posting the 95 Theses in 1517.

sig: His ideas led to the creation of Protestant denominations and weakened the power of the Catholic Church.

Thirty Years’ War

A religious and political conflict in Europe primarily between Catholic and Protestant states within the Holy Roman Empire.

sig: It resulted in massive destruction and loss of life, leading to the Peace of Westphalia and reshaping European borders and power dynamics.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation, aimed at reforming itself and stopping the spread of Protestantism.

sig: Strengthened Catholic doctrine, led to the creation of new religious orders (like the Jesuits), and revitalized the church.

Peace of Westphalia

A series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years’ War.

sig: It established the modern concept of state sovereignty and marked the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.

Jesuits

A Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola during the Counter-Reformation.

sig: They played a key role in spreading Catholicism worldwide and improving education.

Scientific Revolution

A period of major scientific discoveries (16th-17th centuries) that challenged traditional views of the world.

sig: Led to advancements in physics, astronomy, biology, and mathematics, laying the foundation for modern science.

‘European Enlightenment’

An intellectual movement in the 17th-18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

sig: Influenced democratic revolutions and the development of modern political thought.

John Locke

An English philosopher known for his ideas on natural rights and government by consent.

sig: His theories influenced the development of liberal democracy and the American and French Revolutions.

Seven Years’ War

A global conflict between European powers, primarily Britain and France.

sig: Britain emerged as the dominant world power, but the war’s costs led to higher taxes that contributed to the American and French Revolutions.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that the authority of a state comes from the people.

sig: It became a key principle of democratic governments and inspired revolutionary movements.

American Revolution

The war in which the American colonies gained independence from Britain.

sig: Established the United States and set a precedent for other anti-colonial movements.

French Revolution

A revolution that overthrew the monarchy in France and led to radical political and social changes.

sig: Introduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, influencing future revolutions worldwide.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

A document from the French Revolution that outlined fundamental rights and freedoms.

sig: Inspired democratic ideals and influenced later human rights movements.

Simon Bolivar

A South American revolutionary leader who helped liberate several countries from Spanish rule.

sig: He played a key role in the independence movements of Latin America.

Taki Onqoy

A religious movement in colonial Peru that rejected Spanish rule and Christianity.

sig: Represented indigenous resistance to European colonization and cultural oppression.

Industrial Revolution

A period of technological and industrial advancements (18th-19th centuries) that transformed economies.

sig: Led to urbanization, new social classes, and global economic changes.

Second Agricultural Revolution

A period of agricultural improvements that increased food production.

sig: Supported population growth and contributed to urbanization and industrialization.

Cottage Industry

A system of production where goods were made by hand in homes before industrial factories.

sig: It provided income for rural families but was eventually replaced by factory work.

Specialization of Labor

The division of work into specific tasks performed by different workers.

sig: Increased efficiency and productivity, fueling industrial growth.

Capital

Wealth in the form of money or assets used for investment.

sig: Essential for industrial expansion and economic development.

Adam Smith

A Scottish economist known for his book The Wealth of Nations.

sig: Advocated for capitalism and free-market economies.

Urbanization

The movement of people from rural to urban areas.

sig: Led to the growth of cities and major social and economic changes.

Enclosure Movement

The privatization of common lands in Britain.

sig: Forced many farmers off their land, leading to urban migration and labor supply for factories.

Muhammad Ali

An Ottoman leader who modernized Egypt in the early 19th century.

sig: Introduced military, economic, and industrial reforms to strengthen Egypt.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to demand better wages and working conditions.

sig: Played a crucial role in labor rights and social reforms.

Socialism

An economic and political system advocating collective ownership of resources.

sig: Emerged as a response to industrial capitalism and influenced modern welfare states.

Karl Marx

A German philosopher and economist who co-authored The Communist Manifesto.

sig: His ideas led to the development of communism and socialist movements.

Communism

A political and economic system advocating classless society and communal ownership of production.

sig: Inspired revolutions and shaped global politics in the 20th century.

Proletariat

The working-class people in an industrial society.

sig: Key group in Marxist theory, seen as the force for revolutionary change.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production.

sig: The capitalist class that owns the means of production.

Tanzimat Reforms

A series of Ottoman Empire reforms aimed at modernization.

sig: Sought to centralize authority, improve rights, and Westernize institutions.

Meiji Restoration

A political revolution in Japan that restored imperial rule and modernized the country.

sig: A political revolution in Japan that restored imperial rule and modernized the country.

Zaibatsu

Large Japanese business conglomerates.

sig: Played a major role in Japan’s industrial and economic development.

Self-Strengthening Movement

A series of reforms in China (19th century) aimed at modernizing the military and economy.

sig: Partially successful but ultimately failed to prevent Western dominance.