World Civilization II Exam 2

Napoleon Bonaparte – A French military leader who became emperor in 1804 and expanded France’s power across Europe. His defeat in 1815 led to major political changes in Europe.

Tokugawa – The family that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868, keeping the country peaceful but isolated from the world. Their rule ended when Japan modernized in the Meiji Restoration.

Factory system – A way of making goods that started during the Industrial Revolution, using machines and workers in large buildings. It made production faster but also created harsh working conditions.

The Enlightenment – A movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that encouraged reason, science, and individual rights instead of tradition and religion. It helped inspire revolutions and new ideas about government.

The American Revolution – The war (1775–1783) where the American colonies won independence from Britain. It was influenced by Enlightenment ideas and led to the creation of the United States.

The French Revolution – A major uprising (1789–1799) that ended the French monarchy and pushed for equality and democracy. It led to political chaos but changed France and influenced other revolutions.

“Invisible Hand” – An idea from economist Adam Smith that says free markets work best when people act in their own self-interest. It supports capitalism and less government control in the economy.

Economic dependence – When a country relies too much on another for trade or money, making it weaker and easier to control. Many former colonies struggle with this even after gaining independence.

Nationalism – A strong pride in one’s country, often based on shared culture and history. It can unite people but also cause conflicts and wars.

Formal vs. informal imperialism – Formal imperialism is when a country takes direct control of another (like British rule in India). Informal imperialism is when a country controls another through business or politics without ruling it directly (like U.S. influence in Latin America).

Daimyo – Powerful Japanese landowners and warlords who controlled large areas during the feudal era. They had their own armies of samurai and were ruled by the shogun.

Floating Worlds – Entertainment districts in Japan during the Edo period where people enjoyed theater, music, and art. They symbolized pleasure and escape from daily life.

Aristocracy – A class of wealthy and powerful people, usually born into privilege, who control government and society.

Meritocracy – A system where people gain power or success based on their skills and achievements, not their family background.

The Ottoman Empire – A powerful empire (1299–1922) that controlled parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with its capital in Istanbul. It was known for its military strength, trade, and Islamic culture.

The Safavid Empire – A Persian empire (1501–1736) that made Shia Islam the official religion of Iran. It was known for art, architecture, and conflicts with the Ottoman Empire.

The Mughal Empire – A Muslim empire (1526–1857) that ruled India, blending Persian and Indian culture. It built famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal.

Shia – A branch of Islam that believes leadership should come from Muhammad’s descendants. Shia Muslims are mainly found in Iran and parts of Iraq.

Sunni – The largest branch of Islam that believes leadership should go to the most qualified person, not necessarily Muhammad’s family.

Akbar – A great Mughal emperor (1542–1605) who expanded the empire and promoted religious tolerance.

Aurangzeb – A later Mughal emperor (1618–1707) who expanded the empire but enforced strict Islamic laws, leading to internal conflicts.

Otto von Bismarck – A German leader who united Germany in 1871 through war and diplomacy. He strengthened the country and introduced social reforms.

Miguel de Hidalgo – A Mexican priest who led a rebellion for independence from Spain in 1810. He inspired the Mexican Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson – A U.S. Founding Father and the main writer of the Declaration of Independence. He later became the third president of the United States.

Social contract – The idea that people agree to follow rules and leaders in exchange for protection and order. This idea influenced democracy and revolutions.

Oligarchy – A government controlled by a small group of powerful people, often the wealthy or military leaders.

Self-determination – The right of people to govern themselves and make their own political decisions, often leading to independence movements.

Industrialization – The shift from handmade goods to machine production, which led to factories, cities, and economic growth.

Interchangeable parts – Identical parts that can be easily replaced in machines and weapons. This made production faster and cheaper.

Department stores – Large stores that sell a variety of goods, making shopping more convenient. They became popular in the 19th century.

Corporation – A business owned by investors who share profits but are not personally responsible for debts.

Opium Wars – Conflicts (1839–1842, 1856–1860) between China and Britain over British opium sales in China. China lost, leading to European control over trade.

Utopian socialism – A belief in creating a perfect society where wealth and resources are shared equally. Early experiments in this system often failed.

Sepoy Rebellion – A violent uprising in India (1857) against British rule, sparked by religious and cultural tensions in the British Indian Army.

Protectionism – An economic policy where countries limit imports and support local businesses with tariffs and trade restrictions.