Key Figures and Concepts from European History

This set of flashcards covers key figures, concepts, and events in European history, focusing on nationalism, colonialism, and significant scientific developments.

Napoleon III

Emperor of France between 1852-1870, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, known for liberal reform projects.

Giuseppe Mazzini

Visionary for Italian unification who believed the entire Italian peninsula should become one state, facing obstacles from Catholic and conservative influences.

Camilo di Cavour

Powerful diplomat and key leader who supported the unification of Italy with the backing of the middle class.

Otto von Bismarck

Leader of the German unification movement, known for igniting nationalist feelings and playing a significant role in German unification.

Christian Social Party

An antisemitic political party in Germany that gained support from nationalistic antisemitic sentiments among the working class.

Dreyfus Affair

A scandal involving Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer accused of treason, exemplifying rampant antisemitism.

Zionism

The belief and movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland.

Theodore Herzl

One of the most important early leaders of Zionism, advocating for Palestine as a safe homeland for Jews.

Crimean War

A conflict fought between Russia and an alliance of France and Great Britain to prevent Russian expansion into Ottoman territory.

Victor Emmanuel II

The first ruler of the unified Kingdom of Italy and an instrumental figure in Italian unification.

Realpolitik

A political practice focused on power and practical decisions rather than ideology or morality.

Giuseppe Garibaldi

An Italian general and nationalist who played a crucial role in the unification of southern Italian states.

Three Emperors' League

An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia that lasted from 1873 to 1887.

Reinsurance Treaty

A diplomatic alliance created after the collapse of the Three Emperors' League.

Dual Alliance

A mutual defense alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Bismarck's Congress of Berlin

An attempt made by Bismarck to stabilize the Balkans and gain the support of Great Britain.

Balkan Wars

Conflicts involving the independence of Balkan nations from the Ottoman Empire and subsequent disputes over boundaries.

Charles Darwin

An English naturalist known for his theory of evolution and the concept of natural selection.

Theory of Evolution

The scientific theory stating that species change and evolve over time through processes such as natural selection.

Social Darwinism

A belief system that applies Darwin's theories of natural selection to human societies, often to justify social inequality.

Victorian Era

A period in the English-speaking world during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), characterized by a failure of uprisings to replace royal authority.

Auguste Comte

A philosopher recognized as the founder of positivism and the discipline of sociology.

Sigmund Freud

An Austrian neurologist and the founder of Psychoanalysis, emphasizing the influence of the unconscious mind.

Quantum Mechanics

A branch of physics that deals with the behavior of energy and matter at atomic and subatomic levels.

The White Man's Burden

The belief that it was the duty of Western nations to civilize and educate other races.

Germ Theory

The scientific theory that many diseases are caused by the presence and actions of microorganisms.

Anesthesia

A medical advancement used in surgery to reduce trauma by relieving pain during procedures.

Impact of Quinine

A treatment discovered for malaria that enabled Europeans to explore and colonize Africa without fear of the disease.