Social and Modern Studies - Grade 8 - Road to Independence, Global Warming, and Democratic Country

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Social and Modern Studies Grade 8 textbook, focusing on Mauritian history, global warming, and democracy.

Colonisation

Taking control over another country and ruling over it. This often involves establishing settlements, exploiting resources, and imposing political and cultural control.

Empire

Countries, colonies, or states ruled by another country, typically characterized by extensive territories and diverse populations under a single authority.

Enslave

To make a person a slave by taking away his or her freedom and forcing him/her to work for no pay under threats and punishment. This involves the complete denial of rights and autonomy.

Chattel slavery

People treated as goods, bought and sold in markets, hired out, and even insured as goods. This is a specific form of slavery where individuals are considered personal property.

Amelioration laws

The laws used to improve the conditions of slaves, often implemented to mitigate the worst abuses of slavery without fundamentally challenging the system.

Examples of Amelioration laws

Laws for Registration of slaves, no flogging of women, slaves could own property, slaves could give evidence in court. These laws aimed to provide some minimal protections and rights to enslaved people.

Indentured labourer

A person who signed a contract to work away from his/her country for an employer in Mauritius for one, three, or five years, often under harsh conditions to pay off debts or for passage.

Free coloured

The name given in the eighteenth century to a new group of people who were born and grew up in Mauritius. The people were of mixed European, African, and Indian descent, enjoying limited rights and social status.