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Nationalism

The political ideology that emphasizes a strong identification with one’s nation, often leading to the pursuit of national independence or dominance.

Congress of Vienna

A conference held in 1815 by the major powers of Europe to redraw boundaries and restore monarchies after the Napoleonic Wars.

Balance of Power

A distribution of military and economic power among nations ensures that no single nation dominates or interferes with another.

Concert of Europe

An alliance formed after the Congress of Vienna aimed at maintaining the balance of power and preventing revolutions in Europe.

Revolutions of 1848

A series of interconnected revolutionary uprisings across Europe, driven by rising nationalism and liberal demands.

Ottoman Empire

A historically significant empire centered in Turkey, known as the 'sick man of Europe' due to its decline in power during the 19th century.

Crimean War

A war (1853-1856) in which Britain and France fought Russia to prevent its expansion, with significant implications for European balance.

Triple Alliance

An alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Triple Entente

An alliance among Britain, France, and Russia to counter the Triple Alliance before World War I.

Balkan Crisis

Tensions in the Balkan region due to rising nationalism and territorial disputes, leading up to World War I.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The event on June 28, 1914, that triggered World War I, carried out by Gavrilo Princip.

Militarism

The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively.

Stalemate (WWI)

A situation in warfare where neither side is able to gain an advantage, often leading to prolonged conflict as seen in trench warfare.

T.E. Lawrence

A British officer known for his role in encouraging Arab revolts against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

A type of naval warfare in which submarines sink vessels without warning, a key factor in bringing the USA into WWI.

Bolsheviks

A faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party; led by Lenin, they played a significant role in the Russian Revolution.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The treaty signed in 1918 that concluded Russia's participation in World War I, leading to significant territorial losses.

Civil War in Russia

A multi-party war that took place after the Russian Revolution, resulting in the Bolsheviks winning and establishing a dictatorship.

War Guilt Clause

Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, which assigned blame for World War I to Germany.

League of Nations

An intergovernmental organization founded after WWI to promote peace and cooperation among nations.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that occurred during the 1930s, influencing political extremism and instability.

Dictatorial Regimes

Governments led by a single leader or party with absolute power, often associated with oppression and loss of civil liberties.

Munich Conference

A meeting in 1938 where Britain and France appeased Hitler by allowing the annexation of Sudetenland.

Axis Powers

The coalition formed by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Allied Powers

The coalition opposing the Axis Powers in World War II, primarily consisting of the USA, UK, and USSR.

Battle of Stalingrad

A major battle during WWII that marked a turning point in favor of the Allies against the Nazis.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marking a significant turning point in WWII.

Battle of the Bulge

The last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during WWII, which ultimately failed.

Superpower

A nation with the ability to project its power and influence on a global scale, notably the USA after WWII.

Cold War

The period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the USA after WWII, characterized by rivalry, propaganda, and limited warfare.

Nationalism and Imperialism

The desire for national advancement often leading to the expansion of territories and influence, particularly in the context of WWI.

Social Impact of WWI

The various changes in society resulting from WWI, including shifts in gender roles as women gained employment and rights.

Propaganda

Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view, particularly during wartime.

Women’s Suffrage

The right of women to vote, which gained momentum particularly in the post-WWI era.

Cheka

The Bolshevik secret police, responsible for political repression during the Russian Civil War.

August Coup (1991)

An unsuccessful attempt by the Soviet Union's GKChP to take control from Mikhail Gorbachev.

Scorched Earth Policy

A military strategy of destroying everything in an enemy's path to prevent its use.

Totalitarianism

A centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.

Nazi Ideology

The set of beliefs espoused by the Nazi party, including extreme nationalism, racism, and anti-communism.

Fascism

A political ideology characterized by authoritarian ultranationalism, dictatorial power, and strong regimentation of society.

Appeasement

The policy of making concessions to dictatorial powers in order to avoid conflict, notably before WWII.

Pearl Harbor

The location of a surprise military attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, leading to the US entering WWII.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The Japanese cities bombed by the US in August 1945, leading to Japan's unconditional surrender.

Post-War Reconstruction

Efforts to rebuild and reshape nations and international systems after the destruction of WWII.

Holocaust

The systemic extermination of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime during WWII.

Nuremberg Trials

A series of military trials held after WWII to prosecute major war criminals of the Third Reich.

Cold War Strategy

The various approaches taken by the USA and USSR to combat each other's influence from the late 1940s to 1991.

Marshall Plan

A US initiative providing economic assistance to Western Europe post-WWII to help rebuild economies.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the political and ideological division between Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War.

Decolonization

The process by which former colonies gained independence from colonial powers after WWII.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, representing the division between communism and capitalism.

Arms Race

A competition between nations for military supremacy, particularly during the Cold War.

Proxy wars

Conflicts where two opposing nations or groups support combatants that serve their interests instead of waging war directly.