Key Concepts in Militarism, Imperialism, and Revolutions

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and definitions related to militarism, imperialism, revolutions, and various governmental and economic concepts.

Militarism

The building up of military and weapons to prove military strength.

Alliance

A relationship between countries that agree to help and defend each other.

Imperialism

When one country takes over another country or area.

Nationalism

Intense love or pride in one's country.

Trench Warfare

Type of combat in which opposing sides fight from trenches facing each other.

Stalemate

A situation where neither side can gain an advantage.

No Man's Land

The area between two trenches that is under dispute.

Mobilization

The action of a country preparing and organizing troops for war.

Schlieffen Plan

German war strategy to quickly defeat France in the west while holding off Russia.

U-Boats

Submarine boats used by Germany during WW1.

Zimmerman Note

Note in which Germany asked Mexico to attack the US.

Selective Services Act

Act requiring men to register with the government to be selected for military service.

Propaganda

Biased communication designed to influence people's thoughts and actions.

Total War

War that has no limits and everyone plays a part.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting.

14 Points

Wilson's step-by-step plan to create a lasting and just peace.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of WW1 that established new nations, borders, and war punishments.

League of Nations

Association of nations established to promote international cooperation and peace.

Triple Alliance

Alliance of Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

Alliance of Great Britain, France, and Russia.

Allied Powers

Coalition of Great Britain, France, Russia, United States, and Italy.

Central Powers

Coalition of Germany, Austria Hungary, and Ottoman Empire.

Franz Ferdinand

Austrian Archduke who was assassinated, triggering WW1.

Gavrilo Princip

Serbian terrorist who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Black Hand

Serbian terrorist group responsible for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

Machine Gun

The most effective weapon during WW1.

Trench Foot

An infection soldiers got when they couldn't stay dry in the trenches.

Woodrow Wilson

US president during WW1.

Big Three

The United States, Great Britain, and France.

Racism

The belief that one's race or ethnic group is superior to others.

Colony

A country or area under the control of another country.

Protectorate

A territory where the native ruler keeps their title but where another country has actual control.

Sphere of Influence

Areas where one country has an interest and other nations agree to respect that interest.

White Man's Burden

The idea that white Europeans had the duty to 'civilize' minority races.

Berlin Conference

A meeting between European countries to create rules for dividing Africa.

Isolationism

The idea that a country should not get involved in international affairs.

Treaty of Nanking

Forced China to give Hong Kong to Britain and open ports for British trade.

Russo-Japanese War

War between Russia and Japan over Manchuria (China).

Missionary

A person sent on a religious mission, usually to promote Christianity in another country.

Factors of Production

Things needed to start a business: Land, Labor, Capital.

Urbanization

The movement of people into cities.

Middle Class

A group of people made up of skilled workers.

Domestic System

A system of manufacturing based on work done at home.

Factory System

A system of producing goods on a mass scale in a factory.

Assembly Line

Work done in a line, step by step, until the process is complete.

Bessemer Process

A quicker and cheaper way to produce steel.

Entrepreneur

A person who starts and organizes a business.

Monopoly

A large company that has almost total control with little competition.

Laissez Faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in business.

Scientific Revolution

A movement that marked the beginning of modern science and technology.

Geocentric Theory

The belief that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Heliocentric Theory

The idea that the Sun is at the center of the universe.

Heresy

Beliefs or opinions that go against the church.

Revolution

An overthrow of ideas in favor of something new.

American Revolution

Fight for independence by colonists against Great Britain.

Three Estates

Three groups of people in France each with one vote.

French Revolution

An uprising against the French monarchy by the lower classes.

Bastille

French prison that was raided by revolutionaries.

Reign of Terror

A period in France when many traitors were executed.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government where a ruler has total power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system where the ruler's powers are limited by a constitution.

Oligarchy

A government in which a small group of people rule.

Dictatorship

A form of government where rulers cannot be held accountable to the people.

Democracy

A system of government where supreme authority rests with the people.

Theocracy

A system of government where religious leaders rule in the name of a god.

Divine Right

The belief that a ruler's right to rule comes directly from God.

Natural Rights

The rights that everyone is born with: life, liberty, property.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows branches of government to hold each other accountable.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and the government that is beneficial for both.