AP Human Geography 4.2

Self-determination

The right of a group of people to decide their own political status and form their own nation.

Centripetal force

Factors that unite people within a country and promote national unity.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies become independent from their colonizing country.

Centrifugal force

Factors that divide people within a country and weaken national unity.

Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization or other means.

Cold War

A state of political tension and military rivalry between nations that stops short of full-scale war.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country and exploiting it economically.

Satellite states

Countries that are formally independent but strongly influenced or controlled by another country.

Berlin conferance

A meeting in 1884-1885 where European powers divided up Africa among themselves.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional of local authorities.