WHAP Unit 6 Vocab

Social Darwinism

The belief that stronger societies are naturally meant to dominate weaker ones and that this justifies imperialism.

Nationalism

The belief that people with a shared culture

Imperialism

The practice of extending a nation’s control over other regions through political

Spheres of Influence

Areas where foreign powers claim exclusive economic or political control without direct colonization.

Corvee Laborers

Workers forced by the government to provide unpaid labor.

Settler Colonies

Colonies where settlers permanently moved and displaced native populations.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884–1885 where European powers divided Africa without African participation.

Penal Colony

A colony used to exile prisoners and use them for labor.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy warning European powers not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Guano

Bird droppings used as fertilizer and exported during the 19th century.

Sepoy Mutiny or Indian Rebellion of 1857

A large uprising against British rule in India that led to direct British control.

Ghost Dance

A Native American religious movement that hoped to restore indigenous lands and culture.

Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement

A movement where the Xhosa destroyed cattle believing Europeans would be removed.

Economic Imperialism

Control of a region’s economy by a foreign power without political rule.

Treaty of Nanking

A treaty ending the First Opium War that forced China to open ports to Britain.

Export Economies

Economies focused on producing goods for foreign markets.

Banana Republics

Countries economically controlled by foreign companies exporting a single crop.

Convict Labor

The use of prisoners as forced workers.

Ethnic Enclaves

Communities where immigrants maintain their culture and traditions.

Chinese Exclusion Act

An 1882 law that banned Chinese immigration to the United States.