WHAP Unit 9 Vocabulary

radio

Technology using electromagnetic waves to transmit audio; enabled mass communication and political messaging.

shipping containers

Standardized metal boxes that lowered shipping costs and accelerated globalization.

green revolution

Mid‑20th‑century agricultural transformation using high‑yield seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.

crossbreeding

Combining two plant or animal varieties to produce offspring with desired traits.

genetic engineering

Direct modification of DNA to create organisms with enhanced characteristics.

antibiotic

Medicine that kills or slows bacteria; reduced deaths from infections.

birth control

Methods preventing pregnancy; contributed to declining global fertility.

fertility rates

Average number of children per woman in a population.

vaccines

Biological preparations that stimulate immunity to specific diseases.

pandemics

Global outbreaks of infectious disease affecting large populations.

smallpox

Deadly viral disease eradicated through global vaccination campaigns.

doctors without borders

NGO providing medical aid in crisis zones worldwide.

tuberculosis (TB)

Bacterial lung disease spread through the air; major global health issue.

cholera

Waterborne bacterial disease causing dehydration; linked to poor sanitation.

polio

Viral disease causing paralysis; nearly eradicated by vaccines.

Jonas Salk

Developed the first effective injectable polio vaccine.

Albert Sabin

Developed the oral polio vaccine enabling mass immunization.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Disease caused by HIV that weakens the immune system.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Virus attacking immune cells; transmitted through bodily fluids.

Antiretroviral Drugs

Medications that suppress HIV replication.

Ebola

Severe viral hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates.

Heart Disease

Broad category of cardiovascular illnesses; leading global cause of death.

Heart Transplant

Surgical replacement of a failing heart with a donor organ.

Christian Barnard

Performed the first successful human heart transplant.

Robert Jarvik

Designed the first permanent artificial heart.

Artificial Heart

Mechanical device replacing heart function.

Alzheimer's Disease

Degenerative brain disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline.

Deforestation

Large‑scale clearing of forests for agriculture or development.

desertification

Degradation of land into desert due to overuse or climate change.

air quality

Measure of pollutants in the air affecting health.

water scarcity

Insufficient access to clean water for human use.

greenhouse gasses

Gasses trapping heat in the atmosphere, such as CO₂.

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas; major contributors to emissions.

renewable energy

Energy from replenishable sources like wind or solar.

green party

Political party focused on environmental protection.

green belt movement

Kenyan movement promoting tree planting and conservation.

global warming

Long‑term rise in Earth’s temperature due to greenhouse gases.

carbon footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual or group.

Kyoto Protocol

1997 treaty committing nations to reduce emissions.

Paris Agreement

2015 climate accord aiming to limit global temperature rise.

Anthropocene

Proposed epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth.

Ronald Reagan

U.S. president promoting free‑market and neoliberal policies.

Margaret Thatcher

British prime minister advocating privatization and deregulation.

Free Markets

Economic systems with minimal government intervention.

Augosto Pinochet

Chilean dictator who implemented neoliberal reforms.

Deng Xiaoping

Chinese leader who introduced market‑oriented reforms.

Tianamen Square

1989 pro‑democracy protests violently suppressed in China.

Knowledge Economy

Economy based on information, technology, and innovation.

Asian Tigers

South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore; rapid industrial growth.

NAFTA

Trade agreement linking the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

maquiladoras

Mexican factories near the U.S. border producing goods for export.

Mercosur

South American trade bloc promoting economic integration.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Regional group promoting cooperation and trade.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

Agreement reducing global trade barriers.

protective tariffs

Taxes on imports to protect domestic industries.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Organization regulating global trade rules.

multinational corporation

Company operating in multiple countries.

Microsoft

Global technology corporation producing software and devices.

Google

Technology company specializing in search, AI, and digital services.

Mahindra & Mahindra

Indian multinational producing vehicles and machinery.

Nestle

Global food and beverage corporation.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1948 UN document outlining fundamental rights.

Human Rights

Basic freedoms and protections owed to all people.

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

UN agency supporting children’s welfare.

Refugees

People fleeing conflict, persecution, or disaster.

Negritude Movement

Cultural movement celebrating Black identity and heritage.

Leopold Sedar Senghor

Senegalese poet and leader associated with Negritude.

liberation theology

Christian movement advocating for social justice and the poor.

Pope Francis

Pope emphasizing social justice and environmental issues.

Civil Rights Act

U.S. law banning racial discrimination.

Voting Rights Act

U.S. law protecting minority voting access.

apartheid

System of racial segregation in South Africa.

pass laws

Apartheid laws restricting movement of nonwhite citizens.

Desmond Tutu

South African bishop and anti‑apartheid activist.

Nelson Mandela

Anti‑apartheid leader and South Africa’s first Black president.

African National Congress (ANC)

Anti‑apartheid political organization.

pariah state

Nation isolated due to objectionable policies.

F. W. de Klerk

South African president who helped end apartheid.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Body investigating apartheid‑era abuses.

Dalits

Marginalized caste group in India.

Caste Reservation System

Policies reserving jobs and education for disadvantaged castes.

Earth Day

Annual event promoting environmental awareness.

Greenpeace

Environmental activist organization.

Wangari Maathai

Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel laureate.

Green Belt Movement

Kenyan tree‑planting and conservation movement.

modernism

Artistic movement rejecting traditional forms.

consumer culture

Society focused on purchasing goods and services.

popular culture

Mainstream cultural practices and entertainment.

Americanization

Spread of U.S. culture globally.

throwaway culture

Tendency to discard items quickly due to consumerism.

global brands

Companies recognized worldwide.

Bollywood

Indian film industry known for musicals and drama.

anime

Japanese animation style.

K

pop

Streaming Video

Online delivery of video content.

Social Media

Digital platforms for communication and content sharing.

Malala Yousafzai

Pakistani activist for girls’ education.

Olympic Games

International multi‑sport competition.

World Cup

Global soccer tournament.

Hari Krishna

Religious movement promoting devotion to Krishna.