Ap world history

Communism

A political system characterized by a centrally planned economy with all economic and political power resting in the hands of the central government

**Consumerism**

The emphasis placed on providing to customers products and services that are safe, reliable, and honestly advertised; also, a social movement that seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers relative to sellers.

**Desertification**

Degradation of land, especially in semiarid areas, primarily because of human actions like excessive crop planting, animal grazing, and tree cutting.

**Feminism**

An intellectual, consciousness-raising movement to get people to understand that gender is an organizing principle of life. The underlying belief is that women and men should be accorded equal opportunities and respect

**Free Trade**

An economic theory or policy of the absence of restrictions or tariffs on goods imported into a country. There is no "protection" in the form of tariffs against foreign competition.

**Women's rights**

This movement sought the equal treatment of women, including the right to vote. (Leaders; Elizabeth Cady Stranton, Susan B Anthony)

**Propaganda**

publicity intended to spread ideas or information that will persuade or convince people

**Oceania**

refers to the Pacific Ocean basin and its lands. a key region that has many important islands.

**Economic Imperialism**

Independent but less developed nations controlled by private business interests rather than by other governments; examples include British East India Company influence in India, Banana Republics in Honduras.

**Social Darwinism**

The application of ideas about evolution and "survival of the fittest" to human societies - particularly as a justification for their racism and imperialist expansion

**Civilizing Mission**

the concept that Western nations could bring "advanced" science and economic development to non-Western parts of the world that justified imperial administration; included the notion that colonialism was a duty for Europeans and a benefit for the colonized.

**White Man's Burden**

idea that Europeans had a duty to spread their religion and culture to those "less civilized;" originally coined by a British poet and writer named Rudyard Kipling in his poem of the same name

**Belgian Congo**

Exploited by Leopold II at Belgium under the Berlin Act, Leopold was supposed to act as a trustee. He violated the agreement and stripped the country of its resources and mutilated its people

**Ghost Dance Movement**

The last effort of Native Americans to resist US domination and drive whites from their ancestral lands, often viewed as an indigenous religious movement.

**Opium Wars**

wars between Great Britain and China, began as a conflict over the opium trade as GB illegally imported opium produced in the Middle East and South Asia in hopes of forcing trade with China; ended with the Chinese treaty to the British- the opening of 5 Chinese ports to foreign merchants, and the grant of other commercial and diplomatic privileges

**Boxer Rebellion**

1899 rebellion in Beijing, China started by a secret society of Chinese who opposed the "foreign devils". The rebellion was ended by British troops; it led to decreased power and influence of the Qing Dynasty.

**British East India Company**

A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years.

**Berlin Conference**

A meeting from 1884-1885 at which representatives of European nations agreed on rules to colonize Africa

**Jihad**

 a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam

**Spheres of Influence in China**

 an area where a foreign nation controlled economic developments such as railroad construction and mining; occurred in China after the Opium Wars