4.2 Political Processes Lecture Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering political processes, imperialism, colonialism, and global conflicts from the 16th century to the post-Cold War era.

Political Processes

The methods and procedures involved in making decisions, implementing policies, and exercising power within a political system.

Nationalism

A political and social ideology theorized in the 1600s that emphasizes the collective identity and interests of a nation, involving a belief in the right to self-determination.

Imperialism

The practice of a country extending its power and influence over other countries through military force, economic coercion, or cultural domination, motivated by materials and markets.

Colonialism

The practice of establishing and maintaining colonies for economic exploitation, cultural assimilation, or political control, involving the settlement of citizens from the colonizing country.

God, Glory, Gold

A phrase associated with the Age of Exploration describing the motives of explorers: religious missions, national prestige, and economic gain.

Berlin Conference

A meeting held in 1884-85 where European leaders divided the African continent without African leaders present, redrawing borders while ignoring tribal and traditional boundaries.

Ethiopia and Liberia

The only two African countries that remained independent after the European land occupation following the Berlin Conference.

World War I

A global conflict from 1914 to 1918 sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

Allied Powers (WWI)

The coalition of countries that fought against the Central Powers, including France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and later the United States and Italy.

Central Powers (WWI)

The alliance primarily made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria during World War I.

Trench Warfare

A common form of combat on the Western Front during World War I where opposing troops fought from trenches facing each other.

World War II

A global conflict from 1939 to 1945 sparked by Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland.

Allied Powers (WWII)

The coalition including the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China that fought against the Axis powers.

Axis Powers (WWII)

The alliance of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan during World War II.

Total War

A military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war, often disregarding the laws of war.

Cold War

A period of political and military tension from 1945 to 1991 characterized by a global power struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where third parties fight on behalf of more powerful parties, such as the Cold War struggles in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

Decolonization

The process of a colony gaining independence and becoming a sovereign nation through the withdrawal of a colonizing power.

Post-Cold War

The era following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which led to the immediate independence of 15 new countries.

Supranationalism

A type of multinational political union where negotiated power is delegated to an authority by governments of member states.

Political Boundaries

Imaginary lines that separate different regions based on governmental or social structures, which can be local, national, or international.

Materials and Markets

The two primary economic motivations for imperialism: access to natural resources and the creation of new consumers for goods.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

The heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire whose assassination in 1914 by Gavrilo Princip triggered the system of alliances that led to World War I.

Ceylon

The former name of the country now known as Sri Lanka, which changed its name in 1972.

Burma

The former name of the country now known as Myanmar, which changed its name in 1989.