key terms
Daimyo: Powerful Japanese feudal lords who controlled large areas of land and maintained private armies of samurai.
Castle Towns: Towns that developed around the castles of daimyo in Japan, serving as administrative and commercial centers.
Modus Vivendi: A practical arrangement or compromise that allows conflicting parties to coexist peacefully.
Latitudinarian: An attitude of tolerance towards different religious beliefs and practices.
Banner System: A military and administrative organization used by the Qing Dynasty in China, dividing the population into different groups (banners) for governance and military purposes.
Ever-Normal Granaries: Public granaries in China designed to store grain to stabilize food prices and supply during shortages.
Mansabdars: Officials in the Mughal Empire who were granted land and responsible for governing territories, collecting revenue, and maintaining troops.
Sulh-i Kull: A Mughal policy of "universal tolerance," promoting religious and cultural harmony.
Political Arithmetic: Early statistical analysis used by governments to measure and manage the economy and population.
The Asiento: A contract granted by the Spanish crown allowing foreign companies to supply enslaved Africans to Spanish colonies.
South Sea Bubble: A financial crisis in early 18th century Britain caused by speculative investments in the South Sea Company, leading to a market collapse.
Capitalist: An economic system based on private ownership, profit motive, and market competition.
Gòng: A term used in Chinese history to refer to public or communal works, such as infrastructure projects.
Demagogue: A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than rational argument.
Improvement: The 18th and 19th century movement focused on agricultural and industrial advancements to increase productivity and economic growth.
Lines of Amity: Demarcation lines agreed upon by European powers to divide spheres of influence and colonial territories.
Somerset Case: A landmark 1772 legal case in England that effectively ended slavery in England by declaring that slavery was unsupported by English common law.
German Idealism: A philosophical movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries focused on the role of the mind in shaping experiences and reality, associated with thinkers like Kant and Hegel.
Self-Culture: The idea of personal development and self-improvement through education and moral discipline, popular in the 19th century.
Haitian Revolution: A successful slave revolt (1791-1804) in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, leading to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic.
Indemnity Controversy: Disputes over compensation for losses or damages, often arising in the context of wars and colonialism.
Creoles: People of European descent born in the Americas, particularly in Spanish and Portuguese colonies.
Freedom (in the Kantian Sense): The concept of autonomy and self-governance, where individuals act according to rational moral principles rather than external influences.
Liberalism: A political and social philosophy advocating for individual freedoms, representative government, and the protection of civil liberties.
Democracy (as Romantic Nationalist Ideal): The 19th-century idea of democracy tied to the Romantic notion of a nation's unique spirit and identity, emphasizing popular sovereignty and cultural unity.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: A federal state in Central and Eastern Europe (1569-1795) characterized by a union of Poland and Lithuania with a unique system of shared governance.
Lubok: Traditional Russian popular prints with simple graphics and stories, often used to convey folk tales, religious stories, and social commentary.
Total War: A type of warfare that involves complete mobilization of a society's resources and people, affecting both military and civilian sectors.
Taiping Rebellion: A massive civil war in China (1850-1864) led by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom against the Qing Dynasty, characterized by radical social and religious reforms.
Unequal Treaties: Agreements imposed on weaker countries by stronger powers, often involving significant concessions such as trade privileges and territorial rights.
Cosmopolis: An ideal city or community that is inclusive of diverse peoples and cultures, often used to describe global cities with a mix of cultural influences.
Indian Ocean World: The interconnected maritime region encompassing the Indian Ocean, linking Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia through trade and cultural exchanges.