World Cultures Final

What was mercantilism?,

An economic system focused on collecting gold and silver and maximizing national profit by maintaining a trade surplus (exporting more than importing).

What was the Columbian Exchange?,

The global transfer of plants, animals, and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres following Columbus's voyages.

What items were exchanged during the Columbian Exchange?,

Tomatoes, potatoes, and corn came from the Americas, while horses, grains, and diseases like smallpox came from Europe.

What were the main motivations for the Age of Exploration?,

The "Three G's": God (spreading Christianity), Glory (fame and national competition), and Gold (wealth).

Why did Europeans search for new trade routes during the Age of Exploration?,

The fall of Constantinople and the decline of Mongol protection of the Silk Road disrupted traditional trade routes.

Which countries dominated early exploration?,

Portugal and Spain.

What role did Portugal play in the Age of Exploration?,

Portugal led early explorations along the African coast and into the Indian Ocean.

What role did Spain play in the Age of Exploration?,

Spain funded Columbus and conquered vast areas of the Americas.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?,

A 1494 agreement that divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal using a Line of Demarcation.

How did the Treaty of Tordesillas divide the world?,

Spain received lands west of the line, while Portugal received lands east of the line.

What happened to Latin American civilizations after Spanish conquest?,

Indigenous governments collapsed and were replaced by Spanish colonial rule.

How did Europeans benefit from exploration?,

They gained wealth from gold and silver and acquired new food crops.

What negative economic effect did Europe experience from exploration?,

Inflation.

How were Native Americans affected by European exploration?,

They suffered catastrophic population loss due to disease and forced labor.

How were Africans affected by European exploration?,

Millions were forcibly transported through the Atlantic Slave Trade.

What was the Atlantic Slave Trade?,

A system in which Africans were traded for goods and transported to work on plantations in the Americas.

What was the Middle Passage?,

The brutal voyage across the Atlantic in which enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas.

What was the Encomienda System?,

A Spanish labor system that forced Native Americans to work and pay taxes in exchange for supposed protection and religious instruction.

Why was the Encomienda System considered cruel?,

It was essentially a form of slavery that led to widespread death among Native Americans.

What are the characteristics of absolutism?,

A system in which a single ruler holds total power over the government, laws, and military.

What is the Divine Right of Kings?,

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God.

Who was Philip II?,

The king of Spain who used colonial silver to build a powerful army and brought Spain to the height of its power.

Why did Spain decline under Philip II?,

Inflation and high taxes weakened the Spanish economy.

Who was Louis XIV?,

The French "Sun King" who centralized power and strengthened absolutism in France.

How did Louis XIV apply mercantilism?,

By working with Jean Baptiste Colbert to make France self-sufficient through tariffs and colonies.

What was the Treaty of Westphalia?,

A 1648 treaty that ended major religious wars and established the modern state system.

How did the Hapsburgs respond to the decline of the Holy Roman Empire?,

They focused on building an absolute monarchy in Austria.

Who were the Hohenzollerns?,

The family that rose to absolute power in Prussia.

Who was Peter the Great?,

The Russian ruler who westernized Russia by introducing European technology and customs.

Why did Russian rulers seek warm-water ports?,

To improve trade and increase naval power.

Why did England avoid absolutism?,

Conflict between the monarchy and Parliament led to the Glorious Revolution and a constitutional monarchy.

What were the characteristics of the Enlightenment?,

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, rationalism, and individualism.

How was the Enlightenment similar to the Scientific Revolution?,

Both used logic and observation to challenge traditional beliefs and authority.

Who was Thomas Hobbes?,

A philosopher who believed people are naturally selfish and need an absolute ruler.

What was Hobbes's view of government?,

People form a social contract and accept an absolute monarch for order and security.

Who was John Locke?,

A philosopher who believed in natural rights and limited government.

What are natural rights according to John Locke?,

Life, liberty, and property.

What was Locke's view of government?,

The government's purpose is to protect natural rights.

What is Social Contract Theory?,

The idea that people give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection and social order.

What is the State of Nature?,

A hypothetical condition of humanity before governments existed.

Who was Montesquieu?,

A philosopher who advocated separation of powers.

What was Montesquieu's major idea?,

Separating government powers into branches to prevent tyranny.

Who was Voltaire?,

A philosopher who defended freedom of speech and religion.

How did Voltaire criticize society?,

He used satire to mock intolerance and corruption.

Who was Rousseau?,

A philosopher who supported direct democracy and the general will.

What were the major causes of the French Revolution?,

The Three Estates system, Enlightenment ideas, and an economic crisis.

What was the Estates General?,

An assembly of representatives from all three estates called to address France's financial crisis.

What intellectual movement inspired the French Revolution?,

The Enlightenment.

What was the main goal of the French Revolution?,

To achieve liberty, equality, and fraternity by overthrowing absolutism.

What legislative bodies governed France during the Revolution?,

The National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, National Convention, and Directory.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?,

The Jacobin leader who directed the Reign of Terror.

What was the Reign of Terror?,

A period of mass executions of enemies of the revolution.

Why did the French people support Napoleon?,

They hoped he would bring stability after years of chaos.

How did Napoleon gain power?,

He seized control through a coup d'état.

How did Napoleon provide stability to France?,

Through the Napoleonic Code, public works, and the Concordat of 1801.

What was the Napoleonic Code?,

A uniform set of laws that promoted equality before the law.

What was the Concordat of 1801?,

An agreement that restored peace between France and the Catholic Church.

What was the Continental System?,

Napoleon's attempt to weaken Britain through an economic blockade.

Why did the Continental System fail?,

Allies ignored it and widespread smuggling occurred.

What effects did Napoleon's conquests have on Europe?,

They spread revolutionary ideas and abolished feudal structures.

How did Napoleon promote nationalism?,

His occupation inspired conquered peoples to unite against French rule.

Why did Napoleon's invasion of Russia fail?,

The scorched earth policy and harsh winter devastated his army.

Who led the Congress of Vienna?,

Klemens von Metternich.

What were the goals of the Congress of Vienna?,

To restore balance of power, contain France, and restore legitimate monarchs.

What influenced the revolutions in Latin America?,

Enlightenment ideas and the examples of the American and French Revolutions.

What is nationalism?,

Identification with a group based on shared language, culture, and history.

How can nationalism be a unifying force?,

It can help create new nations like Germany and Italy.

How can nationalism be a disruptive force?,

It can destroy multiethnic empires.

How is nationalism different from patriotism?,

Patriotism is love of country, while nationalism often includes belief in national superiority.

What is Realpolitik?,

A political philosophy that prioritizes practical national interests over ideals.

Where did the Industrial Revolution begin?,

In England.

Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in England?,

Because of its natural resources, stable economy, and large labor force.

What is capitalism?,

An economic system where production is privately owned for profit.

What is laissez-faire?,

A hands-off government policy toward the economy.

What is communism?,

A system in which workers overthrow owners to create a classless society with collective ownership.

Who are the proletariat?,

The working class.

Who are the bourgeoisie?,

The owners and wealthy class.

What were positive effects of the Industrial Revolution?,

Increased production, new technology, and economic growth.

What were negative effects of the Industrial Revolution?,

Poor working conditions, child labor, and greater wealth inequality.

What motivated imperialism?,

The desire for raw materials, new markets, national competition, and Social Darwinism.

What is Social Darwinism?,

The belief that stronger societies naturally dominate weaker ones.

What was the White Man's Burden?,

The belief that Europeans had a duty to civilize non-Western peoples.

What was the Berlin Conference?,

A meeting where European powers divided Africa without African input.

Who was Cecil Rhodes?,

A major supporter of British imperialism in Africa.

What were the effects of the Partition of Africa?,

Loss of independence and division of traditional cultures.

How was India first controlled by Britain?,

Through the British East India Company.

What was the British Raj?,

Direct British rule over India.

What was the Sepoy Mutiny?,

A revolt by Indian soldiers against British rule sparked by religious grievances.

What were spheres of influence in China?,

Areas where foreign powers controlled trade and economic activities.

What were the Opium Wars?,

Wars fought to force China to open its ports to foreign trade.

What was the Boxer Rebellion?,

A Chinese nationalist movement that tried to expel foreigners.

Why did the United States acquire Hawaii?,

To protect sugar interests and gain a strategic naval base.

What were some positive effects of imperialism?,

Improved infrastructure and transportation systems.

What were some negative effects of imperialism?,

Exploitation, loss of independence, and destruction of traditional economies.