ap world exam vocab: unit 5-6

Industrialization

Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the mid-18th century, changing the West socially, economically, and politically, enabling large expansions in the 19th century.Slow hand-made → rapid machine-made production. Spread to Russia, South/East Asia, and North/South America by end of the 19th century

The Enlightenment

A Western European development with foundations in scientific study and intellectual reason. Included individual rights like freedom of speech and participation in government. Greatly influenced American and French Revolutions and inspired political revolutions around the world

Capitalism

An economic system based on individual economic development. Private investors use their capital to invest in potentially profitable activities. Scotsman Adam Smith was an important proponent of capitalism. 21st century industrialized nations relied on capitalism to varying degrees

Marxism

Mid-19th century thinking based on Karl Marx’s alternative to capitalism. Instead of relying on capitalism, Marx’s thinking suggests an attempt to close the gap between the rich and poor in industrial Western Europe and the world. Marxism advocates towards a union between the many poor in order to overthrow the few rich and establish a political and economic system where government controls production and labor to benefit the masses.

Nationalism

The belief that people with similar cultural backgrounds rightly belong together in one nation. Became popular in Western Europe in the 19th century and spread globally. Led to wars of independence, like in Latin America, and against Ottoman and Austrian rule in Europe.

Liberalism

A political philosophy calling for written constitutions, increased voting rights, equality for all, and economic freedom. Inspired by the Enlightenment in the 19th century. Fueled many revolutions in the Americas and Europe

Age of revolutions

Revolutions seeking political and social change occurred during the mid-19th century. Inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment and French Revolution. Countries revolted against European political control

Imperialism

In late 19th century, Western Europe’s rising economic and industrial power made it the world’s strongest political force and its nations accumulated colonies all over the world. “The sun never sets on the British empire” symbolized Britain’s colonies in half of Africa nad much of south and Southeast Asia.

Social Darwinism

Charles Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” scientific theory suggested strong nationalist ideas of Europe’s political and industrial superiority. Led to the belief that Europe was socially and morally superior to the peoples it conquered.

resistance to western hegemony

“Hegemony” is dominance/control. Resistance in Asia and Africa to European imperialism was widespread, like when the Chinese tried to stop Britain’s importations of opium, and Indian national congress’ self-rule

Meiji Restoration

Japan reorganized its government in the late 19th century, reestablishing the emperor’s power and westernizing its industrial base and society in order to compete with the west’s industrial and political power.

Indentured servitude

A form of coercive labor where a person exchanges his or her work for a period of time (a few years) for transportation and necessities. After the term was completed, the laborer was supposed to be freed. It was a large factor in migrations to the americas in the 17 and 18th centuries but was replaced by slavery, complete personal ownership of laborers. End of 19th century, slavery in the west ended and indentured servitude returned.

Open door policy

Early 20th century plan where the US, Japan, and European powers shared open access to trade with China. Arrival of US in global affairs

Second Industrial Revolution

Last half of 19th century, with innovations in electricity (telephone and radio), chemistry (fertilizers), transportation (cars, airplanes), and steel (skyscrapers, modern weapons). Influenced rapid social and economic changes in the West into the 20th century