AP World History Vocab

Industrialization

The shift from hand-made to machine-made production that began in Great Britain and spread worldwide, creating factory jobs and new technologies.

Nationalism

A strong loyalty to one's nation or people, often based on shared culture, language, or history, and the desire for self-rule.

Imperialism

When a stronger country controls weaker regions through conquest, direct rule, or economic domination to gain resources, labor, and power.

Decolonization

The process after World War II when colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East gained independence from European empires.

Globalization

The growing connection of the world through trade, technology, information, and culture that links economies and societies.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government has total control over public and private life, often using terror, propaganda, and censorship.

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian nationalist leader who used nonviolent resistance to fight British rule.

Nelson Mandela

South African anti-apartheid leader who fought against racial segregation and later became president.

World War I

A global war (1914-1918) mainly between the Allied Powers and Central Powers, caused by militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.

The Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic crisis in the 1930s that began with the U.S. stock market crash.

The Cold War

A long period of tension after WWII between the United States and the Soviet Union over ideology, power, and global influence, without direct large-scale war between them.

Decolonization of India

The process by which India ended British colonial rule and became independent in 1947.