Units 3 & 4 Overviewe

Enlightenment

The post-Renaissance period in European history devoted to the study and exploration of new ideas in science, politics, the arts, and philosophy.

American Revolution

Conflict between American colonists and the British government that led to American independence and the first large-scale democracy since ancient Greece.

French Revolution

Conflict between the Third Estate (peasants and townsfolk) and the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility) inspired by the American Revolution; culminated in a coup by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Haitian Revolution

Slave revolt led by Toussaint L’Ouverture from 1791-1804 that resulted in Haiti becoming the first black republic.

Nationalism

The tendency of people to regard themselves as part of a broader community, seeing their common heritage, culture, and customs as unifying forces.

Industrialization

The period marked by the transition to mass production and factories which increased economic interdependence and changed social structures.

Liberalism

Political and economic ideology advocating for limited government involvement in the economy and constitutional government.

Socialism

Ideology proposing a radical societal structure where the economy is run by workers collectively sharing resources.

Communism

Extreme socialism where the government centrally plans the economy; associated with the overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat.

Tanzimât Movement

A period of reform in the Ottoman Empire from 1839 to 1879, modernizing infrastructure and legal codes.

First Opium War

Conflict between China and Great Britain (1839-1842) over British opium trade, weakening the Qing Dynasty.

Total War

Style of warfare that includes civilians as targets and focuses economies on military production.

League of Nations

International organization created after World War I, precursor to the United Nations, weakened by the absence of major powers.

Fascism

Government system focused on extreme nationalism and militarism, often led by a single leader.

Great Depression

Global economic downturn originating from the collapse of the American stock market in 1929, leading to widespread economic hardship.

Cold War

The ideological struggle between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union from 1949 to 1993, involving proxy wars.

Proxy wars

Conflicts involving indirect support from major powers antagonistic to one another, often during the Cold War.

Indian National Congress

Political party founded in 1885 that advocated for Indian independence along federal lines.

Deng Xiaoping

Leader of China who initiated economic reforms post-Mao, implementing capitalist elements into the communist framework.

Green Revolution

Movement in the 1960s and 70s aimed at boosting food production in developing countries through new agricultural technologies.

Liberation theology

Movement within the Catholic Church that emphasizes the need for social justice and human rights in Latin America.