Unit 5 AP World vocab

Enlightenment

was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emphasized reason, science, and individual rights as the foundation for human progress. Thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu challenged traditional authorities such as absolute monarchy and the Church, promoting ideas of freedom, equality, and tolerance. This movement deeply influenced the American and French revolutions and laid the groundwork for modern democratic societies.

John Locke

was an English philosopher in the 17th century, often called the "Father of Liberalism." He believed that people are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments exist to protect those rights. Locke’s ideas about government by consent and the right to overthrow unjust rulers heavily influenced modern democracy and the development of political philosophy.

Tabula Rasa

is a Latin term that means "blank slate." John Locke used it to describe the idea that people are born without built-in mental content, and that all knowledge comes from experience and perception. It’s like saying your mind starts fresh, and life’s experiences write the story.

Baron de Montesquieu

was a French political philosopher famous for his theory of the separation of powers. He believed that dividing government power into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—would prevent any one group from becoming too powerful and protect individual freedoms. His ideas greatly influenced the structure of many modern democracies, including the United States Constitution.

Voltaire

was a French writer and philosopher known for his sharp wit and strong advocacy for freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. He often used satire to criticize the corruption and injustice of his time, making him a key figure in the Enlightenment who pushed for progress and human rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

was a French philosopher who believed that people are naturally good but become corrupted by society. He introduced the idea of the "social contract," where individuals agree to form a government that represents the general will of the people. His thoughts influenced democratic ideals and the way we think about freedom and equality today.

Louis XVI

was the last king of France before the monarchy got knocked down in the French Revolution. He came to the throne in 1774, but his reign was full of struggles—financial crises, political unrest, and a population fed up with inequality. He tried to fix things with reforms but often got blocked by the nobles and clergy.

Mary Wollstonecraft

was a trailblazer in the world of women's rights back in the late 1700s. She’s best known for her book, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," where she argued that women deserve the same education and opportunities as men. She challenged the idea that women were naturally inferior and pushed for equality in a time when that was revolutionary.

Maximilien Robespierre

was one of the key figures in the French Revolution, known for being a radical and a leader during the Reign of Terror. He was all about pushing the revolution forward with a fierce dedication to equality and justice, but his methods got intense—he believed in using extreme measures to protect the revolution, which meant a lot of executions by guillotine.

guillotine

blade that drops to execute, chop off head. Symbol of the French revolutions harsh justice.

nationalism

Nationalism is all about that strong pride and loyalty people feel toward their country or nation. It’s like when a crew rides or dies for their hometown, but on a bigger scale—people unite around shared culture, language, history, or values. Sometimes it brings people together, boosting unity and identity, but other times it can get intense and lead to conflicts if it turns into thinking your nation’s better than others.

Napoleon Bonaparte

was a straight-up legend in history—a military genius and political boss who rose from a modest background to become Emperor of France. He changed the game with his tactics on the battlefield, conquering much of Europe and spreading ideas like legal reform through the Napoleonic Code, which influenced laws far beyond France.

popular sovereignty

is the idea that the power to govern comes straight from the people—the real crew in charge is the population itself. It means the government’s legit only if the people agree to it, usually through voting or some form of consent. This concept was a big deal during revolutions and the rise of democracies, flipping the script from kings or rulers having all the power to the people holding the ultimate say. It’s basically the foundation for modern democracy, where the people’s voice rules the day.

Reign of Terror

was a wild and intense period during the French Revolution, from 1793 to 1794, where Robespierre and his crew ran the show with extreme measures to protect the revolution. They used the guillotine like crazy, executing thousands of people they saw as enemies or threats to the new order. It was all about keeping the revolution pure but came with a heavy price—fear, suspicion, and nonstop political drama. The Reign of Terror ended when Robespierre himself got taken down, marking a shift away from that brutal phase.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

is like the ultimate manifesto from the French Revolution, laying down the law on what freedom and equality should look like for everyone. It says all men are born free and equal in rights, including liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. This document was all about breaking free from old-school monarchy rules and giving power back to the people, setting the stage for modern human rights and democracy vibes worldwide. It’s a major flex in the history of civil rights.

Congress of Vienna

was like the ultimate power meeting in 1814-1815, where European leaders came together after Napoleon’s fall to reset the map and keep the peace. They wanted to restore old monarchies, balance power so no one could dominate like Napoleon did, and prevent future chaos. It was all about that political crew love—making alliances and agreements to keep stability across Europe. This event shaped the continent’s politics for decades, setting the stage for a new world order after the storm.

Klemens von Metternich

was the real mastermind behind the Congress of Vienna’s vibe. He was Austria’s top diplomat and had a vision to keep Europe chill after all the chaos Napoleon brought. Metternich was all about preserving the old-school monarchy system and making sure no single power got too big—he was the king of political strategy and balance. His moves shaped European politics for years, making him a major player in the post-Napoleon era.

Deism

is like the belief that there’s a higher power or creator who set the universe in motion but doesn’t mess with it after that. Think of it as God as the ultimate architect who built the system and then stepped back, letting things run on natural laws instead of miracles or constant interference. It was pretty popular during the Enlightenment, when people were all about reason and science but still wanted to believe in something bigger.

liberalism

is all about that freedom and equality vibe, pushing for individual rights, democracy, and limiting government control. It’s the idea that people should have the power to make choices for themselves—whether that’s in politics, economics, or society—without too much interference. Born from the Enlightenment, liberalism challenges old traditions and wants progress, justice, and equal opportunity for everyone. It’s like the anthem for living free and owning your own path.

conservatism

is all about keeping it real with tradition, stability, and respect for the way things have been done. It’s about valuing order, family, and institutions, and being cautious about rapid change that could shake up society too much. Conservatives believe in preserving cultural roots and often want government to play a role in maintaining social norms and security. It’s like holding down the legacy while navigating the future.

empiricism

is all about learning through experience and observation—like saying, "Show me the facts, not just ideas." It’s the philosophy that knowledge comes from what you can see, hear, touch, and test, rather than just from pure reason or theory. Think of it as the scientific method’s foundation, where evidence is king and real-world proof runs the show.

Abolitionism

was the movement that stood strong against slavery, aiming to end it completely. It was all about fighting for freedom and human rights, making sure no one was treated like property. This movement gained serious momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in places like the United States and Britain, where activists pushed hard to make slavery illegal and bring justice to those who were oppressed. It’s a powerful chapter in history about standing up for what’s right.

Zionism

is the movement that started in the late 19th century, focused on creating and supporting a Jewish homeland in the region historically known as Israel or Palestine. It grew out of the desire for Jewish people to have a safe place where they could live freely and preserve their culture and identity, especially after facing persecution in different parts of the world. Zionism played a huge role in the establishment of the modern state of Israel.

The Wealth of Nations

is a classic work by Adam Smith, published in 1776. It’s like the blueprint for modern economics, breaking down how markets work, the benefits of free trade, and the idea of the "invisible hand" guiding the economy. Smith argued that when individuals pursue their own self-interest, it can lead to positive outcomes for society as a whole. This book laid the foundation for capitalism and changed the way we think about wealth and economic growth.

laissez-faire

is all about letting things flow without too much interference, especially in the economy. It’s the idea that government should step back and let businesses and markets operate freely, trusting that this will lead to the best outcomes. It’s like saying, "Do your thing, and the system will balance itself out." This approach ties closely to free-market capitalism and minimal regulation.

capitalism

is the economic system where private individuals or businesses own the means of production and operate for profit. It’s driven by competition, supply and demand, and the idea that people can build wealth by investing and trading freely. In capitalism, the market decides prices and what gets produced, with limited government interference—letting the hustle and grind do its thing.

feminism

is the movement and belief that everyone, especially women, should have equal rights, opportunities, and respect in society. It challenges unfair treatment, stereotypes, and barriers that hold people back based on gender. Feminism pushes for fairness in areas like work, education, and personal freedom, aiming to create a world where all genders can thrive without limits.

Socialism

is an economic and political system where the community or the state owns and controls the means of production and distribution of goods. The goal is to reduce inequality by sharing wealth more fairly and ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs like healthcare, education, and housing. Unlike capitalism, socialism emphasizes cooperation over competition and often involves more government involvement to manage resources and services.

Charles Fourier

was a French philosopher and early socialist thinker from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He’s known for his ideas about utopian socialism—envisioning ideal communities called "phalansteries" where people live and work together harmoniously, sharing labor and benefits. Fourier’s vision was all about cooperation, equality, and creating a society that balances work and pleasure, way ahead of his time in thinking about social reform.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

was a key leader of the Haitian Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was a former enslaved person who became a brilliant military strategist and helped lead enslaved Africans in Haiti to fight for their freedom from French colonial rule. His leadership was crucial in establishing Haiti as the first independent Black republic and the first country to abolish slavery in the Americas. Toussaint’s story is one of resilience, revolution, and the fight for justice.

Simon Bolivar

was a revolutionary leader from South America in the early 19th century. Known as "El Libertador," he played a major role in liberating several countries—like Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia—from Spanish colonial rule. Bolivar’s vision went beyond just independence; he dreamed of a united Latin America, kind of like a powerful crew moving together for freedom and progress. His legacy is all about leadership, courage, and fighting for justice.

Guisseppe Garibaldi

was an Italian general and nationalist who played a big role in the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Known for his boldness and leadership, Garibaldi led volunteer armies, called the "Redshirts," to fight for Italy’s independence and unity. He’s remembered as a symbol of freedom and a key figure in making Italy one nation, bringing that same kind of energy and drive you find in a crew pushing toward a common goal.

Otto von Bismarck

was a Prussian statesman in the 19th century who played a major role in unifying Germany. Known as the "Iron Chancellor," he used a mix of diplomacy, military strength, and political strategy—sometimes called "Realpolitik"—to bring together various German states into a powerful empire under Prussian leadership. Bismarck’s style was all about control and power moves, making him a master architect of modern Germany.

Camilo de Cavour

was an Italian statesman and a leading figure in the movement toward Italian unification in the mid-19th century. As the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, he used diplomacy, political alliances, and strategic warfare to help unite Italy under a constitutional monarchy. Cavour’s approach was smart and calculated, blending political savvy with a vision for a strong, united Italy.