Chapter 6: Colonialism and Slavery

A set of 40 vocabulary flashcards covering crucial terms and concepts related to colonialism and slavery, designed to aid in review and understanding for the upcoming exam.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring control over a foreign territory and its people, often for economic exploitation.

LDCs

Least Developed Countries that are characterized by low economic development, high poverty rates, and limited industrialization.

Settler Colonies

Colonies where European settlers established permanent residences, often displacing native populations.

Non-Settler Colonies

Colonies where Europeans primarily acted as officials and bureaucrats, rather than permanent residents.

Scramble for Africa

Period of heightened colonial activity by European powers in Africa from 1880 to 1914.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers.

Western Colonialism

Colonial practices primarily carried out by Western European nations in various regions of the world.

Erudite Ancestry

The lineage or heritage of individuals coming from European descent.

Triangular Trade

Transatlantic trade system that involved the exchange of slaves, raw materials, and manufactured goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

The historical trade of enslaved Africans to the Americas, which occurred from approximately 1440 to 1850.

Extractive States

Colonies established primarily for resource extraction, often with little regard for local populations.

Neo-Europes

Colonies where European settlers aimed to replicate their home countries, such as Australia and the USA.

Institutional Legacy

The lasting impacts of policies and governance structures established during colonial rule.

Commodity Prices

The market prices at which raw materials and agricultural products are bought and sold.

Cultural Legacy

The enduring cultural impacts and divisions that result from colonial rule.

Ethnic Divisions

Social separations among different ethnic groups, often exacerbated by colonial policies.

Independence Waves

The historical periods in which numerous countries attained independence from colonial rule.

Labor Rights

The legal rights related to working conditions, wages, and employee treatment.

Forced Labor

A system in which individuals are compelled to work against their will, often under threat of punishment.

Colonial Drain

The practice of extracting resources from colonies to benefit the metropole, often leaving the colonies impoverished.

Value Extraction

The extraction of wealth or resources from a society or place without adequate compensation.

Social Fragmentation

The division of society into smaller and often hostile groups.

Guidance towards Development

Policies or practices aimed at promoting economic improvement and social welfare.

Latent Potential

The hidden ability or capacity for growth and development that may exist in a society.

Separation of Powers

The division of governance among different branches to prevent centralization of authority.

Colonial Borders

Political boundaries established during colonial rule, often disregarding existing social structures.

Recovery Post-Colonization

The process through which former colonies rebuild and develop after gaining independence.

Power Structures

The organization of authority and influence within a society.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.

Mistrust Norms

Cultural tendencies to distrust others, often stemming from historical conflicts.

Causal Mechanisms

Processes that explain the relationship between variables or events.

Long-Term Effects of Slavery

The enduring impacts on society, economy, and culture that result from the practice of slavery.

Northern Migration

The movement of populations, particularly en masse, towards the northern regions.

Market Integration

The process by which separate markets become connected and interdependent.

Scheme of Exploitation

A structured plan or method for the exploitation of resources or people.

Political Economy

The study of how economic theory and political practices influence each other.

Cognitive Dissonance

The psychological discomfort experienced when confronting conflicting beliefs or values.

Institutional Framework

The system of formal and informal rules that shape the behavior of individuals and organizations.

Underdevelopment

A state of economic stagnation and social disadvantage.

Garbage in, Garbage out

The concept that poor quality input will result in poor quality output.

Transnational Dynamics

Interactions and processes that cross national boundaries.

American Slavery

The institution of slavery predominantly practiced in the United States, from the colonial period until the Civil War.

Historical Legacy

The lasting impacts and influences of past events on present social, cultural, and political contexts.

Demographic Changes

Shifts in population size and composition over time.

Accumulation of Wealth

The process through which individuals or societies amass financial resources.

Industrial Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of production and the creation of goods for profit.

Economic Disparities

The unequal distribution of wealth and resources among different segments of society.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

A meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves, formalizing the 'Scramble for Africa' without African representation.

Apartheid in South Africa

A brutal system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white minority government from 1948 to 1994, an example of a settler colony's institutional legacy.

Belgian Congo

A notable example of an 'Extractive State' where King Leopold II brutally exploited the region for rubber and minerals, leading to mass atrocities and forced labor.

British East India Company

A powerful joint-stock company that played a key role in British colonialism in India, demonstrating Western Colonialism and effective economic exploitation.

Resource Curse

A paradox where countries with abundant natural resources tend to have less economic growth, democracy, and worse development outcomes, often linked to the legacy of extractive colonial practices.

Indirect Rule

A colonial governance strategy where imperial powers utilized existing indigenous power structures and leaders to govern, rather than establishing direct administration.

Dependency Theory

A theory suggesting that economic development in certain countries is hindered by the exploitation of richer nations, a continuation of colonial power dynamics.

Neocolonialism

The use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.

Cash Crops

Agricultural products grown for sale to make a profit rather than for local consumption, often enforced by colonial powers leading to food insecurity in colonies.

Divide and Rule

A strategy of maintaining control over a population by creating or exploiting divisions among its members, commonly used by colonial administrations.

Post-Colonialism

An academic field studying the legacies of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on national independence movements, decolonization, and the cultural impacts of colonial rule.