World Studies Midterm Vocabulary

Democracy

A system of government in which power comes from the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Authoritarianism

A political system in which power is concentrated in a single leader or small group with limited political freedoms.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own businesses and markets determine prices.

Socialism

An economic system in which the government owns or controls major industries.

Communism

A system where all property is publicly owned and society aims for economic equality.

Command Economy

An economy controlled by the government.

Market Economy

An economy driven by supply and demand.

Mixed Economy

An economy that combines elements of capitalism and socialism.

Tools of Foreign Policy

Diplomacy, military action, economic aid, sanctions, and trade.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization formed after WWII to promote peace and cooperation.

Cold War

A period of tension between the US and USSR without direct warfare.

Iron Curtain

The ideological divide between communist Eastern Europe and capitalist Western Europe.

Containment

US policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism.

NATO

A military alliance formed to counter Soviet influence.

Truman Doctrine

US policy of aiding countries resisting communism.

Marshall Plan

US program to rebuild Europe and prevent communism.

Satellite States

Eastern European countries controlled by the USSR.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country became communist, others would follow.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts in which major powers support opposing sides indirectly.

Arms Race

Competition to build more powerful weapons.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

The idea that nuclear war would destroy both sides.

Deterrence

Preventing war by threatening retaliation.

5-Year Plans

Soviet government plans to control economic production.

Censorship

Government control of information.

Propaganda

Biased information used to influence public opinion.

Socialist Realism

Soviet-approved art that glorified communism.

Glasnost

Gorbachev's policy of openness.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's policy of economic restructuring.

Shock Therapy

Rapid transition from communism to capitalism.

Oligarchs

Wealthy individuals with political influence in Russia.

Dynastic Cycle

The rise and fall of dynasties in China.

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that rulers had divine approval.

Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing order, respect, and relationships.

Filial Piety

Respect for elders and family.

Daoism

Philosophy stressing harmony with nature.

Yin and Yang

Opposing forces that balance each other.

Legalism

Belief in strict laws and harsh punishment.

Canton System

Qing policy limiting foreign trade.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain over trade.

Unequal Treaties

Treaties favoring Western powers.

Taiping Rebellion

Massive civil war against the Qing.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising.

Kuomintang (KMT)

Chinese Nationalist Party.

Long March

Communist retreat that strengthened Mao's leadership.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's plan to industrialize China.

Cultural Revolution

Mao's campaign to reinforce communism.

Four Modernizations

Deng Xiaoping's reforms.

Special Economic Zones

Areas open to foreign investment.

Tiananmen Square

Site of 1989 pro-democracy protests.

Belt and Road Initiative

China's global infrastructure project.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of goods, people, and diseases between hemispheres.

Encomienda System

Spanish labor system exploiting Indigenous peoples.

Peninsulares

Spanish-born elites.

Creoles

American-born Europeans.

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.

Mulattoes

People of African and European ancestry.

Cuban Revolution

1959 communist revolution led by Fidel Castro.