AP World History Unit 5: Revolutions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from AP World History Unit 5: Revolutions.

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement emphasizing reason and the scientific method, focusing on government, ethics, and science.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government, signifying consent to be governed.

Natural Rights

Rights granted to all people by nature or God, which cannot be denied or restricted.

Deism

The belief that God exists but is not actively involved in people's lives.

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing civil rights, representative government, and protection of private property.

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience, and science should rely on observation and experimentation.

Nationalism

A sense of commonality among people, based on language, religion, and customs.

Feminism

The belief that women should have the same political and economic rights as men.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

End of Serfdom

Major reform enacted by Russian Czar Alexander II between 1861-1865.

Declaration of Independence

A 1776 statement explaining the colonies' desire for independence from Britain.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

A statement of fundamental political rights adopted by the French National Assembly in 1789.

Jamaica Letter

A document by Simon Bolivar expressing his views on the Venezuelan independence movement.

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution (1793-1794) when thousands were executed for disloyalty.

Simon Bolivar

A key military leader in the South American independence struggle.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution and first leader of a free Haiti.

Realpolitik

Practical politics emphasizing the importance of power over principles.

Otto von Bismarck

Chancellor of Prussia who played a key role in German unification.

Peninsulares

Spanish-born individuals who held the highest social class in Latin America.

Creoles

Descendants of Spanish-born individuals born in Latin America.

Industrial Revolution

A period of rapid growth in manufacturing and production that began around 1750.

Cottage Industry

Manufacturing based in homes, characteristic prior to the Industrial Revolution.

Factory System

A production method that combines workers and machines into one building.

Seed Drill

An invention by Jethro Tull that improved agricultural efficiency.

Spinning Jenny

A machine that significantly advanced the mechanization of textile production.

Crop Rotation

A practice of alternating crops to maintain soil health.

Enclosure Movement

The consolidation of small landholdings into large farms in England.

Steam Engine

A machine that converts energy from burning fuel into motion.

Second Industrial Revolution

A period of industrial expansion involving chemical, electrical, oil, and steel industries.

Telegraph

A device for rapid long-distance transmission of information.

Muhammad Ali

Leader of Egyptian modernization in the early 19th century.

Meiji Restoration

Japan's state-sponsored industrialization and Westernization effort starting in 1868.

Adam Smith

An economist known for writing 'Wealth of Nations', foundational to modern capitalism.

Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith's book detailing his ideas on free trade and economics.

Laissez-faire

An economic approach advocating minimal government interference.

Transnational Business

A business operating in multiple countries with a headquarters in one.

Industrial Working Class

The lower class formed during the Industrial Revolution, often facing poor conditions.

Middle Class

A social class that rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution.

Urbanization

An increase in the number and percentage of people living in cities.

Karl Marx

19th-century philosopher and political theorist known for his ideas about communism.

Communism

A political theory advocating for a classless society with common ownership of property.

Socialism

A theory advocating for community ownership of production and distribution.

Tanzimat Reforms

A series of reforms in the Ottoman Empire aimed at modernization.

Young Turks

A coalition favoring liberal reforms and modernization of the Ottoman Empire.

Self-Strengthening Movement

An effort in the Qing Dynasty to modernize military and industry.

HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation)

A bank established to finance trade between Europe and Asia.

Capitalism

An economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners.

Labor Union

An organization aiming to improve work conditions, wages, and benefits for workers.

Proletariat

Marx’s term for the working class who do not own production means.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class, including merchants and industrialists.