AP World Unit 6 Vocab

Economic Imperialism

The exploitation of people and raw materials from colonies by European and American economies.

Social Darwinism

The application of Charles Darwin's "survival of the fittest" to society, used to justify imperialism by claiming European superiority.

Civilizing Mission

The belief that colonial powers had a duty to bring Western civilization to "uncivilized" regions, used to justify colonization.

White Man's Burden

The duty asserted by white people to manage nonwhite people they believed were less developed, used to justify imperialism.

Belgian Congo

Former colony ruled by Belgium from 1908 to 1960, known for resource exploitation and mistreatment of native people.

Settler Colony

Colonies where large numbers of colonizers settled, used to safeguard empires and relocate people from the colonizing country.

Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement

Movement by the Xhosa tribe in Africa, believing that killing cattle and destroying crops would remove invaders from their lands.

Ghost Dance Movement

Ceremony among Native Americans to rehabilitate their traditional cultures in the western U.S.

Indian Revolt (1857)

Failed uprising against the British East India Company in India, leading to direct British government control.

Opium Wars

Wars between China and Britain over opium trade, resulting in unequal treaties with foreign imperialist powers.

Boxer Rebellion

Uprising against foreigners in China, led by peasants and eventually supported by the government, resulting in increased foreign influence.

Taiping Rebellion

Violent revolt in China against the ruling Manchu Dynasty, caused by opium problems, foreign interference, and Manchurian origins.

Spheres of Influence

Areas in China where foreign nations controlled economic developments after the Opium Wars.

Ethnic Enclave

Geographic area with a high concentration of people from the same ethnic group, distinct from the surrounding population.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Law passed in the U.S. in 1882, banning Chinese laborers from immigrating for 10 years due to industrialization-driven migrations.

White Australia Policy

Laws and policies in Australia (1901-1973) restricting non-white immigration and promoting a racially insulated white society.

Cecil Rhodes

European Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, played a central role in promoting British imperialism in South Africa.

Treaty of Nanjing

Ended the First Opium War, with China repaying Britain for destroyed opium and ceding Hong Kong.

British East India Company

English company focused on trade with Asia and India, played a significant role in controlling India and the opium trade.

Berlin Conference

Conference where imperial countries divided Africa, at the expense of African people.