Chapter 1_ Empire and Emergence of World Powers 1870-1919

Imperialism

Policy of extending a nation's power by gaining political and economic control over more territory.

Mercantilism

An economic policy based on the belief that there is only a limited amount of wealth, requiring government control over trade.

Berlin Conference

A meeting of major world powers in 1884-1885 to divide Africa, regulating European colonization and trade.

King Leopold II

King of Belgium known for colonizing the Congo Free State and exploiting its resources.

Cecil Rhodes

Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and organizer of a diamond mining company.

Dr. David Livingstone

First European to cross Africa, known for discovering central African lakes.

Henry Stanley

British-American explorer who searched for Dr. David Livingstone in Africa.

Nationalism

The belief that one's own country is superior in ethnicity and culture.

Social Darwinism

The belief that Europeans had a duty to civilize 'lesser' races through commerce and Christianity.

New Imperialism

A period of colonial expansion by European powers fueled by technological and social advancements.

Patriotism

Love and pride for one's own country, considered a less extreme version of nationalism.

Maxim gun

The first fully automatic machine gun, invented in 1884.

Quinine

A drug used to treat malaria.

Suez Canal

A crucial waterway that made trade routes faster and more efficient.

Fashoda Incident

The 1898 clash between Britain and France that nearly escalated into war.

Germany's ‘Place in the Sun’

Wilhelm II's policy to seek overseas possessions and establish Germany as a global power.

Entente Cordiale

An agreement between France and Britain, marking the beginning of their alliance.

Agadir Crisis

A 1911 conflict in which Kaiser Wilhelm dispatched a ship to Morocco, leading Britain to side with France.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Emperor of Germany known for aggressive imperialism.

Paul Kruger

President of Transvaal who played a significant role in the Boer Wars.

Leander Starr Jameson

Leader of a pro-British force trying to seize control of Transvaal from the Dutch.

Boer Wars

Conflicts between Dutch settlers (Boers) and the British in South Africa.

Boer

A Dutch farmer in Africa.

Kruger Telegram

Message from Kaiser Wilhelm II congratulating President Kruger on defeating the British.

Treaty of Vereeniging

The treaty that ended the Second Boer War, giving Britain control over Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between Britain and China over opium trade and control.

Taiping Rebellion

A civil war in China from 1850 to 1864 which resulted in 20 million deaths.

1st Sino-Japanese War

A conflict in 1894 where Japan defeated China, marking Japan's rise as an industrial power.

Treaty of Shimonoseki

The treaty that ended the First Sino-Japanese War, granting Japan control over Korea and Taiwan.

Boxer Rebellion

A 1900 uprising in China against foreign influence, which was suppressed by eight foreign nations.

Scorched earth strategy

A military tactic involving the destruction of anything that could be useful to the enemy.

Treaty of Berlin

Organized by Otto von Bismarck, regulating free passage on African rivers.

Anglo-Zulu War

A conflict in 1879 between the British and the Zulu tribe of South Africa.

US ‘Open Door Policy’

A U.S. diplomatic policy that allowed equal trading rights in China.

Kaiser Wilhelm II's naval expansion

Aimed to respect Germany's power status; raised concerns in Britain about security.

Public opinion against WW1

Indicated by certain election results reflecting isolationist sentiments.

Zimmerman Telegram

A secret communication from Germany to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S.

Total war

A conflict unrestricted in terms of weaponry and combatants involved.

Triple Entente

Alliance of France, Britain, and Russia before and during WW1.

Triple Alliance

Military alliance of Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Italy.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

His assassination in 1914 was a key trigger for WW1.

Gavrilo Princip

Bosnian Serb nationalist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Powder Keg of Europe

Refers to the Balkans, which had a lot of tensions leading to WW1.

Trench Warfare

Combat between opposing forces in trenches during WW1.

'No man’s land'

The area between opposing trenches filled with dangers.

World War I

A global conflict from 1914 to 1918 involving many nations across Europe.

Causes of WW1

Military buildup, alliances, nationalism, and imperialism as long-term causes.

US entry into WW1

Justified by interference with American commerce and security threats.

Lusitania

British ocean liner sunk by a German torpedo, leading to public outrage.

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's principles for peace negotiations to end WW1.

Manifest Destiny

19th-century doctrine justifying westward expansion of the United States.

Isolationism

A policy of staying out of international affairs and alliances.

Annexation

The act of adding territory to a nation.

Spanish-American War

Conflict in 1898 between the U.S. and Spain, resulting in U.S. territorial gains.

USS Maine

Naval ship that sank in Havana Harbor, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Yellow journalism

Sensationalized news reporting aimed at increasing sales.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th President of the United States, known for his progressive policies.

William McKinley

25th President, assassinated in 1901, during the Spanish-American War.

Treaty of Paris

1898 agreement ending the Spanish-American War, resulting in U.S. territorial gains.

Platt Amendment

Legislation outlining U.S.-Cuban relations post-Spanish-American War.

Roosevelt Corollary

Extension of the Monroe Doctrine, allowing U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Woodrow Wilson

28th President during WW1, known for his 14 Points.

Militarism

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military to defend or promote its national interests.

1st genocide recorded

The Armenian genocide during WW1, which resulted in 1.5 million deaths.

Influenza pandemic

The 1918 flu outbreak that caused significant casualties after WW1.

Creation of new countries

The result of WW1, leading to the formation of nations like Poland and Hungary.

Financial battles post WW1

The U.S.'s role in rebuilding Europe due to minimal damage at home.