Regents Prep: Global History & Geography:
Vocabulary

 
All Vocabulary Topics

  1. 38th Parallel : Line of latitude which divided North and South Korea.

  2. 95 Theses : Document written by Martin Luther detailing what he believed to be the problems in the medieval Church.

  3. Abbassid Dynasty : (750 - 1258) Ruling family of the Islamic Empire during its golden age. This dynasty is responsible for many achievements

  4. Abraham : The first patriarch in the Bible. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and was rewarded for being prepared to do so. He is considered by Jewish people as the father of the Israelites through his son Isaac, and by Muslims as the father of Arab peoples through his son Ishmael.

  5. absolute monarchy : A political system in which a country is ruled by a monarch, who has absolute control.

  6. acid rain : Rain that contains pollutants due to the burning of fossil fuels. It is damaging to the environment.

  7. acupuncture : Chinese method of treating disorders by inserting needles into the skin. This is to help with the flow of energy that is thought to be blocked.

  8. adaptation : A change made to survive an environment or to overcome a disadvantage.

  9. African National Congress : A group formed in protest of the policy of Apartheid in South Africa. It was eventually outlawed due to their violent tactics, and Nelson Mandela, one of its leaders, was imprisoned for over thirty years.

  10. African Trading Kingdoms : Three African kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that were important in the trans-Sahara trade of gold form the west coast of Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. Their trade provided enough wealth to create the conditions necessary for cultural and intellectual achievement.

  11. Afrikaners : Dutch descended colonist living in South Africa. Also called Boers.

  12. Age of Exploration : Time period during the 15th and 16th centuries when Europeans searched for new sources of wealth and for easier trade routes to China and India. Resulted in the discovery of North and South America by the Europeans.

  13. Age of Reason : Term given to describe the Enlightenment.

  14. Age of Transition : Term given to describe the Renaissance.

  15. Agrarian Revolution : A change in farming methods that allowed for a greater production of food. This revolution was fueled by the use of new farming technology such as the seed drill and improved fertilizers. The result of this revolution was a population explosion due to the higher availability of food. It was one of the causes of the Industrial Revolution.

  16. agriculture : The cultivating of land, producing of crops, and raising of livestock for human consumption.

  17. Ahimsa : In Hinduism, it is the principal of non violence against all living things.

  18. AIDS : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A disease of the human immune system caused by the HIV retrovirus.

  19. Akbar the Great : (1542-1605) Emperor of the Mughal Empire in India. He is considered to be their greatest ruler. He is responsible for the expansion of his empire, the stability his administration gave to it, and the increasing of trade and cultural diffusion.

  20. Alexander the Great : (356 BCE-323 BCE) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian influences.

  21. algebra : A branch of mathematics pioneered by Islamic mathematician al-Khwarizimi in which letters are used to represent unknown numbers to generalize arithmetic.

  22. al-Khwarizimi : Islamic mathematician who pioneered the study of algebra. His textbook on the subject became a standard in European universities for centuries.

  23. Allied Powers : Alliance of Great Britain, Soviet Union, United States, and France during World War II.

  24. Al-Qaeda : Islamic terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden. They are responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.

  25. al-Sadat, Anwar : (1918-1981) President of Egypt between 1970 and 1981. He was assassinated by Islamic fundamentalists for making peace with Israel.

  26. American Revolution : Political revolution in the British North American Colonies starting in 1776 that removed the colonies from Great Britain’s control, and established an independent nation know as the United States of America.

  27. Amin, Idi : (1925?- ) President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. His brutal regime resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people, as well as the near total ruin of Uganda. He was overthrown and exiled to Saudi Arabia in 1979.

  28. Amritsar Massacre : April 3rd of 1919. British soldiers killed close to 400 unarmed Indian men, women, and children, and wounded 1,100 more. People had gathered in the center of town to protest British occupation of their country, and to demand equality. This was a turning point in British domination of India. Independence movements became very popular and eventually forced India's independence.

  29. Analects, The : Collection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.

  30. anatomy : The branch of science that studies the physical structure of living organisms.

  31. ancestor worship : Worship given to deceased relatives who are believed to be closer to the Gods, and therefore able to grant favors.

  32. Animism : The oldest known type of belief system in the world. It is still practiced in a variety of forms in many traditional societies. Animists practice nature worship. They believe that everything in the universe has a spirit. This is exemplified by the practices of the Plains Indians in North America who would praise the spirit of the buffalo that they killed for giving its life to them so that they might survive. Animists also believed that ancestors watch over the living from the spirit world. This belief resulted in ancestor worship as a means of communicating with and showing respect to ancestors.

  33. antibiotics : A substance that kills bacteria in the human body. It is used to prevent or treat various illnesses.

  34. anti-Semitism : The hatred of people of Jewish descent.

  35. antiseptic : An agent that helps prevent or reduce infection in wounds.

  36. apartheid : A political policy in South Africa where black South Africans could only live in certain areas, were required to use separate trains, beaches, restaurants, and schools, and could not enter into an interracial marriage.

  37. appeasement : The policy of pacifying an aggressive nation in the hopes of avoiding further conflict.

  38. aqueducts : Above ground structures used to carry water long distances. Built by the ancient Romans.

  39. Arabic : A language that is the official language of several countries of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the religion of Islam.

  40. Arabic Numerals : A written number system created during the Gupta golden age in India, then adopted by the Islamic Empire before spreading further. Used throughout western civilization today.

  41. arable : Land that is able to support the growing of crops.

  42. Arafat , Yasir : (1929- ) President of the Palestine National Authority and Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Considered by many to be a terrorist, he has in recent years been accepted as the legitimate authority to speak for the Palestinians. His goals is to create a homeland for the displaced Palestinians.

  43. arch : A curved structure that shapes the edge of an open space, such as, a doorway, a window.

  44. Archimedes : (287-212 BCE) Greek mathematician and inventor. He wrote works on plane and solid geometry, arithmetic, and mechanics. He is best known for the lever and pulley.

  45. archipelago : A group or chain of islands.

  46. architect : A person who designs buildings.

  47. Aristarchus : (310?-250? BCE) Greek scientist who first stated that the Earth revolved around the Sun, and rotated on its axis.

  48. armistice : A truce during wartime.

  49. artisan : A person who is skilled at a craft, such as weaving, or woodcarving.

  50. Aryans : Nomadic warriors from Central Asia who migrated into India around 1500 BCE. They are responsible for many aspects of current Indian culture including their language, sacred texts called the Vedas, and a system of government that later evolved into the caste system.

  51. Asian Tigers : Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea. These nations have experienced rapid economic growth and prosperity due to industrialization, and were aligned both politically, and economically with the West throughout the Cold War

  52. Asoka : (?-232 BCE) King of the Maurya dynasty. He ruled nearly the entire subcontinent of India. He also was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism after his conversion.

  53. assassination : The killing of a political leader or other public figure.

  54. Association of Southeast Asian Nations : Multinational organization that cooperates economically by lowering trade barriers, such as, tariffs, to encourage commerce between member nations.

  55. astrolabe : A device used to determine latitude by observing the altitude and position of the sun or other start or planet.

  56. astronomer : A person who specializes in the study of astronomical bodies.

  57. Aswan High Dam : Dam across the Nile River in Egypt. Created Lake Nassar and helps to create more farmland. Built between 1960 and 1970.

  58. Ataturk, Mustafa Kemal : (1881-1938) Nationalist leader of Turkey who is responsible for modernizing and westernizing his country after World War I. This enabled Turkey to resist imperialist attempts at takeover by various European powers.

  59. Atman : In Hinduism, the human soul.

  60. Augustus : (63 BCE – 14 CE) First emperor of Rome (27 BCE – 14 CE) He restored order and prosperity to the Empire after nearly a century of turmoil. Grandnephew to Julius Caesar.

  61. Austro-Hungarian Empire : Also known as Austria-Hungary, or the Hapsburg Empire, as it was ruled by the Habsburg monarchy from 1867 to 1918. Austria-Hungary extended over most of central Europe. It was composed the modern day countries of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as parts of present-day Poland, Romania, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  62. Axis Powers : Alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

  63. Ayatollah Khomeini : (1900?-1989) Islamic religious leader who led a fundamentalist revolution in Iran in 1979. Ruled until 1989.

  64. Aztecs : A Mesoamerican civilization of Mexico who created a strong empire that flourished between the 14th and 15th century. The arrival of Hernando Cortez and the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire.

  65. balance of power : A political policy in which countries attempt to preserve peace by keeping an equal military and economic status.

  66. Balfour Declaration : A promise made by British Prime Minister Balfour to create a homeland for the Jewish people.

  67. bank : A business that exchanges currencies, makes loans, and keeps the money of individual depositors.

  68. Baron de Montesquieu : (1689-1755) Enlightenment thinker from France who wrote a book called, The Spirit of the Laws in 1748. In his book, Montesquieu describes what he considers to be the best government. He states that government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch. Montesquieu explained that under this system each branch would Check and Balance the others, which would help protect the people's liberty.

  69. barter : The exchange of goods or services for other goods or services.

  70. Batista, Fulgencio : (1901-1973) Cuban president from 1940 to 1944 and 1952 to 1959. He was responsible for some reforms in the country before leaving office for the first time. Later, he overthrew the legitimate government and ruled as a dictator until he was forced from office by Fidel Castro.

  71. Battle of Britain : The massive air war against Great Britain by the Nazi war machine in Germany. Nearly nightly bombings occurred between summer of 1940 and summer of 1941 before German withdrew. Great Britain fought alone during this year and never gave up.

  72. Bay of Pigs : An unsuccessful invasion of Cuba in 1961, which was sponsored by the United States. Its purpose was to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

  73. BCE : Date designation meaning Before Common Era, or more than two thousand years ago.

  74. Bell, Alexander Graham : (1847-1922) American inventor of the telephone.

  75. Ben-Gurion, David : (1886-1973) First Prime Minister of Israel.

  76. Berlin Airlift : A re-supply operation to the city of Berlin that lasted 11 months during 1948-49 when the Soviet Union attempted to close off the city.

  77. Berlin Conference : (1884-1885) During European Imperialism, various European leaders met in Berlin, Germany to discuss plans for dividing Africa peacefully. These leaders had little regard for African independence, and had no representation for native Africans. This began the process of imperializing Africa.

  78. Berlin Wall : A wall built in 1961 dividing Soviet controlled East Berlin from the democratic West Berlin. It was destroyed when communism ended in 1990.

  79. Bessemer, Sir Henry : (1813-98) Inventor who developed a more cost efficient process for making steel.

  80. Bhagavad Gita : A Hindu holy book where the god Krishna teaches the importance of selflessness, performing religious duties, and of devotion to God.

  81. bill of exchange : A document purchased from a bank that allowed a person to travel without having to carry large amounts of money. Worked like a modern check.

  82. Black Hand : Serbian nationalist/terrorist group responsible for the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand which resulted in the start of World War I.

  83. blitzkrieg : German word meaning lightning war. It was a German army tactic during World War II which called for quick moving, hard hitting drives into enemy territory.

  84. block printing : A system of printing where characters are carved onto a wooden block. The block is then inked and pressed onto a sheet of paper.

  85. Blüt und Eisen : Blood and Iron policy of Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck to unify all of Germany under Prussian control and build and expand it into a great empire. Very successful.

  86. Boer War : (1899-1902) War between Great Britain and the Boers in South Africa over control of rich mining country. Great Britain won and created the Union of South Africa comprised of all the South African colonies.

  87. Boers : Dutch descended colonist living in South Africa. Also called Afrikaners.

  88. Bolívar, Simón : (1783-1830) Latin American revolutionary responsible for the ousting of Spain from much of South America during the 19th century. He is considered to be the most important figure in the fight for Latin American independence.

  89. Bolshevik : Early name of communists during the Russian Revolution of 1917.

  90. Bonaparte, Napoleon : (1769-1821) Emperor of the French. Responsible for many French Revolution reforms as well as conquering most of Europe. He was defeated at Waterloo, and died several years later on the island of Saint Helena.

  91. botany : The study of plant life.

  92. bourgeoisie : Term given to the middle class people in society.

  93. Boxer Rebellion : (1900) A rebellion by the people of China to end foreign domination.

  94. Brahma : Hindu god called the Creator. Brahma is the first member of the triad that includes Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.

  95. Brahman : In Hinduism, Brahman is the name given to the oneness of the universe.

  96. Brezhnev, Leonid : (1906-1982) Leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. During his control of the Soviet Union, relations with the West, as well as the Soviet economy, experienced a long period of stagnation.

  97. British East India Company : A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years.

  98. bubonic plague : An infectious disease transmitted by fleas. It is characterized by fever, chills, and the formation of swellings. Also known as the Black Plague or Black Death.

  99. Buddha : Hindu for “enlightened one." See also Siddhartha Gautama.

  100. Buddhism : Buddhism developed in India, and is based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism.. Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, which is similar to beliefs of Hinduism. However, Buddhists do not believe that deities are responsible for the phenomenon. In addition, the Caste System is rejected by Buddhists who believe instead that one is reincarnated until they can achieve nirvana, best described as spiritual enlightenment.

  101. bureaucracy : The administration portion of the government.

  102. Bushido : Code of conduct for Samurai and nobles during Japanese feudalism.

  103. Byzantine Empire : (330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine.

  104. Cabinet System : Collection of people who run various departments in government. Usually report to the chief executive, such as the prime Minister, or the President.

  105. Caesar, Julius : (100-44 BCE), Roman general and statesman. He is responsible for setting up the imperial system in Rome which placed his grandnephew, Augustus, on the throne.

  106. calendar : A system for keeping track of time.

  107. Caliph : In Islam, the successor to the Prophet Mohammed.

  108. calligraphy : A form of fine handwriting.

  109. Calvin, John : (1509-1564) Theologian and church reformer who developed a form of Protestantism during the Reformation. His church is known for the idea of predestination, which states certain people are predestined for heaven.

  110. cannon : A weapon which uses an iron ball as a projectile and gunpowder as the blasting agent.

  111. Canon on Medicine : A book written by Ibn Sina, a famous Islamic physician, which was an encyclopedia of Greek, Arabic, and his own knowledge of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe for over five hundred years.

  112. Cape of Good Hope : Southern tip of the African continent.

  113. capital : Money that is used for investment.

  114. capitalism : An economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. Also promotes a free market regulated by supply and demand.

  115. caravel : A Portuguese ship that had a large cargo area and used two orthree masts.

  116. Cardinal Richelieu : (1585-1642) French Cardinal and politician responsible for instituting absolutist practices in France.

  117. cartography : The skill of making maps.

  118. Cash Crop Economy : An economic system based on the exportation of certain crops such as sugar, cotton, and coffee.

  119. Caste System : A rigid social class system in Hinduism.

  120. Castro, Fidel : (1926?- ) Leader of the Cuban Revolution and communist dictator of Cuba. He is responsible for making Cuba a socialist country which has often been at odds with the United States. Notably, the bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  121. Catherine the Great : An enlightened despot who ruled over Russia. She is responsible for many positive changes in Russia, as well as securing the country a warm water port.

  122. causeway : A paved road or path.

  123. Cavalry : Mounted warriors.

  124. Cavour, Camillo : (1810-61) Prime Minister of Sardinia, a large Italian State. He formed alliances with other foreign powers to help end Austria's and Spain's control. Instrumental in the unification of Italy.

  125. CE : Date designation meaning Common Era, or the last two thousand years of history.

  126. censorship : The suppression information considered offensive or a threat to security.

  127. centralized government : A government which controls all aspects of society from a central location or through a central system.

  128. Chamberlain, Neville : (1869-1940) Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1937 to 1940. He is responsible for the policy of appeasement with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

  129. chancellor : Prime Minister, or chief executive of a country or nation state.

  130. check and balance : A system in government described by Baron de Montesquieu where legislative, judicial, and executive power is shared among the different branches to provide protection against abuses of power.

  131. chemistry : The science dealing with the structure, composition, properties, and reactive characteristics of substances.

  132. Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Accident : (1986) This accident release large amounts of radiation that not only affected the immediate area, (Ukraine,) but also was carried on strong winds across many countries in Europe. The effects of this accident have to date been an increase in cancer victims, numerous birth defects, and the destruction of many acres of good land.

  133. chinampas : floating islands of land anchored to a lake bottom used for agriculture. This technique was used by the Aztecs.

  134. Chinese Communist Revolution : A political revolution in China led by Mao Zedong. After several years of fighting the Kuomintang, the communists won control of the country in 1949.

  135. Chivalry : Code of conduct for knight and nobles during European feudalism.

  136. chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) : A gas containing carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine. It is used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays. CFCs are reputed to be damaging to the Earth’s protective ozone layer.

  137. Christ, Jesus : (8-4 BCE- 29? CE) Founder of Christianity. Considered by Christians to be the son of God and the Messiah. He is the central figure in the Christian Religion.

  138. Christianity : Currently the most popular religion in the world based on the number of worshippers found throughout the world. While this monotheistic religion developed from Judaism, there are several key differences in its teachings. Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ in the 1st century CE. The Christian holy book is called the Holy Bible.

  139. Churchill, Sir Winston : (1874-1965) British politician and Prime Minster of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, and 1951 to 1955. He is regarded as the finest British leader of the 20th century and was instrumental in leading Britain to victory during World War II.

  140. circumference : The distance around the edge of a circle.

  141. circumnavigate : To travel around something, like an island or the world.

  142. city-state : An independent state consisting of a city and its surrounding lands.

  143. civil disobedience : The purposeful breaking of laws to protest actions by the government.

  144. civil service exam : In China, it was an exam based on Confucian teachings that was used to select people for various government service jobs in the bureaucracy.

  145. civil war : A war between groups of people in the same country, culture, or political system.

  146. civilization : A society that has a high level of culture and social organization including organized government, job specialization, and a organized belief system.

  147. Clemenceau, Georges : (1841-1929) French Premier during World War I. He was one of the formulators of the Treaty of Versailles.

  148. climate : The average weather in a region.

  149. Cold War : Non shooting conflict between the Soviet Union and their allies and the United States and their allies. Numerous secondary conflicts arise due to the Cold War.

  150. collective farm : A government owned farms where peasants work on a quota system.

  151. colonialism : The policy of maintaining colonies as a source of raw materials and new markets. Practiced during old and new imperialism.

  152. colonization : A group of people moving from their homeland to a new area in large numbers.

  153. Columbian Exchange : The exchange of goods and other things, such as disease from the Old World (Europe) to the new World (North and South America) and back.

  154. Columbus, Christopher : (1451-1506) Italian explorer working for Spain who, in 1492, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas for Spain.

  155. Command Economy : An economic system controlled by strong, centralized government, which usually focuses on industrial goods. With little attention paid to agriculture and consumer goods.

  156. commerce : The large scale buying of goods and/or services.

  157. Commercial Revolution : A dramatic change in the economy of Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. It is characterized by an increase in towns and trade, the use of banks and credit, and the establishment of guilds to regulate quality and price.

  158. Commonwealth of Independent States : Nation created after the breakup of the Soviet Union. It includes Russia and several smaller former Soviet republics.

  159. commune : A government owned farms where peasants work on a quota system.

  160. communism : A system of government in which a single, totalitarian, party holds power. It is characterized by state control of the economy, and restriction on personal freedoms. It was first proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in The Communist Manifesto.

  161. Communist Manifesto, The : A book written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that describes the new political system of scientific socialism, which becomes the basis for communism. The book states that all of human history is based on the conflict between the bourgeoisie (those who own the means of production) and the proletariat (working class), and predicted that the proletariat would rise up in a violent revolution to overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a society with an equal distribution of goods and services.

  162. Communist Revolution : A political revolution in Russia beginning in 1917. The Bolsheviks, now known as Communists, overthrew Czar Nicholas II and created a socialist government based upon the writings of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Also know as the Bolshevik Revolution.

  163. Computer Revolution : During the 1980s personal computers began to appear in many homes across the world. By the late 1990s, computers had become a staple in most industrialized country’s homes.

  164. concentration camp : A prison camp used to hold Jews during World War II and the Holocaust.

  165. Confucianism : Confucius lived in China during the Chou Dynasty, when there was mass disorder and confusion and degrading moral standards. Confucius was appalled by what appeared to be the fracturing of Chinese society. He believed that the only cure was to stress a sense of social order and mutual respect, a philosophy that later became known as Confucianism. Confucianism teaches that there is a natural social order to society which can best be explained through the Five Relationships.

  166. Confucius : (551-479 BCE?) Chinese philosopher and writer of The Analects, a collection of moral and social teachings, including the concept of the Five Relationships. Also known as Kong Fu Zi.

  167. Congress of Vienna : Meeting of European political leaders to reestablish former territorial borders after the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the fall of Napoleon. The Congress was held in Vienna from September 1814 to June 1815, and was dominated by Prince Metternich of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

  168. conquistadors : Spanish conquerors who came to the New World in search of gold and other riches.

  169. Constantine : (274 CE – 337 CE) Roman Emperor between 306 CE and 337 CE. He issued the Edict of Milan which outlawed the persecution of Christians. He also founded the city of Constantinople, the future capital of the Byzantine Empire.

  170. constitution : A document detailing the fundamental laws of a country or organization.

  171. constitutional monarchy : A political system in which a country is ruled by a monarch who has limited power due to a constitution

  172. containment : A cold war policy that called for containing communism to areas already under its influence. This policy was proposed by U.S. President Harry Truman.

  173. Copernicus, Nicolaus : (1473-1543) Polish astronomer who wrote On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. Theorized that the Earth orbited the Sun (heliocentric system) and laid the foundations of modern astronomy.

  174. corporation : A company with business dealings in many different areas.

  175. Cortez, Hernan : (1485-1547) Spanish conquistador who was responsible for the conquest of the Aztec Empire and the claiming of much of Central America for the Spanish.

  176. Counter-Reformation : The movement initiated by the Catholic Church to contain the Protestant Reformation and, if possible, end it.

  177. coup d etat : The acting of overthrowing a government in favor of another, usually through violent means.

  178. craftsman : A person who makes quality, practical or decorative goods.

  179. cremation : The burning of a dead body until it turns to ash.

  180. Creoles : In colonial Latin America, American born Spanish gentry, They owned most of the land but were treated like second class citizens, and were denied political rights.

  181. Cromwell, Oliver : (1599-1658) Leader of the English Revolution that deposed the Stuart monarchs in favor of a short lived Republic. Cromwell acted as Lord Protector until the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.

  182. Crusades : European Christian military expeditions made between the 11th and 13th centuries to retake the Middle Eastern Holy Lands occupied by the Muslims.

  183. Cuban Missile Crisis : (1961) Crises that developed as a result of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s decision to allow the Soviet Union to base nuclear missiles in Cuba. Upon discovery, the United States confronted the Soviet Union and demanded the missiles be removed. For nearly two weeks, nuclear war was imminent. Fortunately, diplomacy succeeded and crisis was averted.

  184. Cuban Revolution : (1958) A political revolution that removed the United States supported Fugencio Batista from power. The revolution was led by Fidel Castro who became the new leader of Cuba as a communist dictator.

  185. cultural diffusion : The spreading of ideas through contact such as trade or war.

  186. Cultural Revolution : (1966-1976) Political policy in started in China by Mao Zedong to eliminate his rivals and train a new generation in the revolutionary spirit that created communist China. The Cultural Revolution resulted in beatings, terror, mass jailings, and the deaths of thousands.

  187. culture : The shared beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people

  188. culture system : A system of slave labor used by the Dutch in their South East Asia colonies.

  189. cuneiform : One of the earliest forms of writing. It consisted of wedge shaped symbols usually imprinted in clay. Used throughout ancient Mesopotamia.

  190. Curie, Marie : (1867-1934) French scientist. She is best known for his work with her husband Pierre in the field of radioactivity.

  191. Curie, Pierre : (1859-1906) French scientist. He is best known for his work with his wife Marie in the field of radioactivity.

  192. Cyrillic : An alphabet created by Eastern Orthodox monks for the Slavic language. It is based on Greek, and still used through the various Slavic countries today, such as Russia.

  193. Czar : Title of the ruler of Russia. Taken from the word Caesar, which means emperor.

  194. Czar Nicholas II : (1868-1918) Czar of Russia (1894-1917). He was overthrown during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Later, he and his family were killed by the revolution’s leadership.

  195. Da Gama, Vasco : (1469?-1524) Portuguese explorer who, in 1498, established an all water route to India

  196. Da Vinci, Leonardo : (1452-1519) An Italian painter, sculptor, engineer, and inventor. Famous works include paintings Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Also left a variety of sketches showing flying machines and underwater boats centuries before the invention of planes and submarines.

  197. Daimler, Gottlieb : (1834-1900) German inventor. He is best know for his work in the development of the gasoline internal combustion engine.

  198. daimyo : Land owning feudal lords in Japan.

  199. Dalai Lama : The spiritual leader of the Tibetan sect of Buddhism, and is considered to be the reincarnation of the bodhisattva, or "buddha-to-be."

  200. dam : A structure built to hold water in place.

  201. Dante : (1265-1321) Italian poet and Renaissance writer. His greatest work is The Divine Comedy.

  202. Darius I : (558?BCE – 486BCE) King of Persia who expanded his empire to extend from the Mediterranean to the Indus River.

  203. de Cervantes, Miguel : (1547-1616) Spanish Renaissance writer. His greatest work is the comedic tale Don Quixote.

  204. de Klerk, F. W. : (1936 - ) The white South African president who ended Apartheid in the early 1990s.

  205. de San Martín, José : (1778-1850) Latin American revolutionary. He is one of the main leaders of the Latin American independence movement.

  206. de Santa Anna, Antonio López : (1794-1876) Mexican general and dictator who controlled Mexico for more than 25 years. Lost war against the United States which cost Mexico present day California, Nevada, and New Mexico.

  207. decimal system : Numeric system based on ten. Created by mathematicians during the Gupta golden age in India.

  208. Declaration of the Rights of Man : Revolutionary document of the French Revolution. Written in 1789, it spelled out certain rights believed to be universal to all mankind. Patterned on the American Declaration of Independence.

  209. deforestation : The widespread destruction of the world's forests. One of the largest areas of destruction are the tropical rainforests. These forest are cut down for the hardwood lumber, to clear space for farming, for building settlements, and for grazing animals. land bridge

  210. democracy : A system of government in which the citizens hold the legislative, judicial, and executive power, based on majority rule.

  211. democratic republic : A political system in which a country is ruled by law, has representative government, and is democratic in nature.

  212. Deng Xiaoping : (1904-1997) Chinese Communist leader. Ruled from 1978 until 1997.

  213. Descartes, Rene : (1596-1650) French intellectual who challenged traditional ideas. He said that human reason was capable of discovering and explaining the laws of nature and man. The idea of human reason being superior to tradition led to the beginning of the Enlightenment, a time of political awakening that became revolution.

  214. desertification : The process in which land slowly dries out until little or no vegetation exists becoming a desert.

  215. détente : A policy during the Cold War which was aimed at relaxing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The policy calls for increase diplomatic and commercial activity.

  216. developing nations : Nations that are economically and technologically less developed than industrialized nations.

  217. dharma : The act of fulfilling one's duty in life. Associated with Hinduism and Buddhism.

  218. Dias, Bartholomeu : (1450?-1500) Portuguese explorer who, in 1488, was the first person to round the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

  219. diaspora : The enforced spreading out of a group of people. In history, there has been both a Jewish Diaspora and an African Diaspora.

  220. dictatorship : A system of government in which a country is ruled by a single person with absolute power.

  221. Diocletian : (245-313) Emperor of Rome who was responsible for dividing Rome into different provinces and districts. Eventually, the eastern portions of the Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire.

  222. discrimination : To treat unfairly due to a persons ethnic background, gender, religion, or age

  223. divine : Godlike, or coming from, or having to do with a god.

  224. Divine Comedy, The : An epic poem written by Dante during the Renaissance.

  225. divine right : The justification of monarchy through the word of God.

  226. divorce : The legal act of ending a marriage.

  227. dome : A hemispherical roof.

  228. Dome of the Rock : First Islamic religious shrine. It was built in 687 C.E., and is located in present day Jerusalem, Israel.

  229. domesticate : To tame an animal to live with, or close to humans.

  230. domino theory : The idea that countries bordering communist countries were in more danger of falling to communism unless the United States and other western nations worked to prevent it.

  231. Don Quixote : A comedic book written by Miguel de Cervantes during the Renaissance. The title character is now used to refer to idealists that champion hopeless or fanciful causes.

  232. Duma : Name of the Russia Parliament.

  233. Dutch East Indies : A group of islands in South East Asia claimed by the Dutch during Imperialism.

  234. dyke : A drainage ditch used to help control flooding.

  235. dynastic cycle : In China, a dynasty would remain in power only as long as it was providing good government. When a dynasty went into decline, and began to abuse its power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong leader would usually emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle would then begin again.

  236. dynasty : A succession of rulers of a country from the same family.

  237. Ebola : A contagious viral disease originating in Africa. It is transmitted by blood and body fluids and causes body organs and vessels to leak blood, usually resulting in death.

  238. economic rights : Rights such as owning property, or the choice to be employed.

  239. Edict of Milan : (313 CE) Proclamation by the Roman Emperor Constantine outlawing the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

  240. Edison, Thomas Alva : (1847-1931) American inventor. He is best know for the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera.

  241. Eightfold Path : Code of behavior for followers of Buddhism.

  242. Einstein, Albert : (1879-1955) American scientist best known for his theory of relativity.

  243. Elizabeth I : (1533-1603) Queen of England and Ireland between 1558 and 1603. She was an absolute monarch and is considered to be one of the most successful rulers of all time.

  244. emperor : Political ruler of a country of nation. Similar to a king.

  245. empire : 1. A collection of nations or peoples ruled by a single authority, usually a monarch, but can be other systems of government as well. 2. A very large and powerful industrial organization

  246. Enclosure Movement : During the Industrial Revolution, it was the consolidation of many small farms into one large farm, which created a labor force as many people lost their homes.

  247. encomienda system : A system of production in Spain’s New World possessions which granted permission to conquistadors to enslave as many people needed to work a plantation.

  248. Engels, Friedrich : (1820-1895) German socialist and co-author of The Communist Manifesto.

  249. engineer : A person who plans and creates mechanic structures for a variety of uses.

  250. English Bill of Rights : (1689) A Bill of Rights written after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 which placed William and Mary on the throne of England. The bill created a limited monarchy and established Parliament as the ruling body of the nation.

  251. enlightened despots : A monarch who retains absolute control of their country while also enacting reform based on Enlightenment ideas.

  252. Enlightenment : A movement in the 18th century that stressed the importance of reason and science in philosophy and the study of human society. Occurred in Western Europe.

  253. environment : Everything in nature including people, plants, and animals that affects development in life.

  254. Eratosthenes : (276?-196? BCE), Greek mathematician, astronomer, and geographer who measured the circumference of the Earth. His measurement was only off by 15%.

  255. escalate : To increase.

  256. Estates : Class system in France before the French Revolution. There were three Estates, First Estate was Clergy, Second was Nobility, and Third was peasants, merchants, and townspeople.

  257. Estates General : The legislative body of France. Composed of representatives from the three estates which are Clergy in the First Estate, Nobles in the Second Estate, and peasants in the Third Estate. Each Estate is entitled to one vote on legislative matters. The Estates General was never as strong as the British Parliament of the American Congress.

  258. ethnic cleansing : The removal of people of a specific ethnic group by means of genocide, terror, or forced expulsion.

  259. ethnic group : A group of people that shares distinctive cultural traits.

  260. ethnocentric : A belief in the superiority of a certain ethnic group or race.

  261. Euclid : (circa 300 BCE), Greek mathematician. Considered to be the father of modern geomertry.

  262. European Community/European Union : Economic union between countries in Europe for mutual gain. Originally formed in 1951 as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), it later became the European Community in 1967, then the European Union in 1991.

  263. evolution : The gradual change or development of something.

  264. excommunicate : To exclude a Christian from receiving the Sacraments.

  265. executive : Rrelating to a system that enforces laws.

  266. export : The sending of goods to another country for sale or trade.

  267. extermination : The complete destruction of a group of people.

  268. extinction : The death of all members of a species.

  269. extraterritoriality : A policy that guaranteed European citizens in China were only subject to the laws of their own nation and could only be tried by their own courts.

  270. factory : A central location where goods are manufactured on a large scale.

  271. Fake Word : This is a fake Word

  272. famine : Widespread hunger caused by the near complete lack of food.

  273. fascism : A system of government that promotes extreme nationalism, repression, anticommunism, and is ruled by a dictator.

  274. Ferdinand and Isabella : During the late 15th century, they became King and Queen of a united Spain after centuries of Islamic domination. Together, they made Spain a strong Christian nation and also provided funding to overseas exploration, notably Christopher Columbus.

  275. Ferdinand, Franz : (1863-1914) Archduke of Austria, nephew to the Emperor. He was assainated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1914. This resulted in the start of World War I.

  276. fertilizers : A substance spread onto soil to increase its ability to support crops. Fertilizers include organic materials, such as manure, but can also be man made chemicals such as nitrates.

  277. Feudalism : A social, political, and economic system that dominated all aspects of medieval European life.

  278. fief : An area of land given to a person to farm in exchange for certain obligations.

  279. filial piety : A part Confucianism where respect is paid to the parents.

  280. Five Pillars of Islam : Code of behavior for followers of Islam. Includes Charity, Daily Prayer, Profession of Faith, Fasting during Ramadan, and a pilgrimage to Mecca called the hajj.

  281. Five Relationships : Confucian philosophy about social order where everyone has a place and respect is paid to elders, parents, and the government. The relationships are, ruler to ruled, father to son, older brother to younger brother, husband to wife, friend to friend.

  282. Five Year Plans : Stalin's economic policy to rebuild the Soviet economy after World War II. Included massive industrialization and farm collectivization, where peasants lived collectively on government owned farms, often resulted in widespread famine as many peasants resisted this policy.

  283. Fleming, Alexander : (1881-1955) English scientist who, in 1928, observed that a mold called Penicillium killed germs. This discovery resulted in the development of antibiotics, which attack or weaken bacteria that cause many diseases. Antibiotics were not widely used until the 1940s.

  284. foot-binding : A popular practice that tightly bound the feet of young girls, deforming them as they grew older. This was done to achieve the desired cultural practice of having dainty, lady-like feet.

  285. Ford, Henry : (1863-1947) American Industrialist. Ford is best know for his innovations in the auto manufacturing industry. His company was the first to use an assembly line for production.

  286. foreign policy : A nation’s actions regarding how they treat other nations.

  287. Four Modernizations : An economic and social program that called for limited privatization of agriculture and industry, encouraged foreign investment and foreign trade, and resulted in a boost for the Chinese economy. Unlike the Great Leap Forward, the Four Modernizations was an economic success.

  288. Four Noble Truths : Siddhartha's Gautama philosophy of the nature of human suffering and its relation to desire is articulated by four statements

  289. Fourteen Points Speech : An address given to the United States’ Congress by President Woodrow Wilson concerning the end of World War I and the treatment of all concerned with the war. The speech outlines the League of Nations and the ideas of self determination for different ethnic groups.

  290. fraternity : A group or society formed by people who share common interests.

  291. Frederick the Great : (1712-1786), King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. Enlightened despot who enlarged Prussia by gaining land from Austria when Maria Theresa became Empress.

  292. French Indochina : Area of southeast Asia controlled by France during Imperialism. Includes Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

  293. French Revolution : Political revolution in France starting in 1789 that brought about many changes in France. The revolution ultimately ended with a dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte before his defeat by the combined powers of Europe.

  294. fundamental : Affecting the underlying principles or structure of something.

  295. Galilei, Galileo : (1564-1642) Italian astronomer. One of the founders of Europe's scientific revolution, one of his main contributions is the application of the telescope to astronomy. He was able to prove Copernicus’ heliocentric model correct.

  296. Gandhi, Mohandas : (1869-1948) Nationalist leader in India, who called for a non violent revolution to gain his country’s freedom from the British Empire.

  297. Ganges River : Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals.

  298. Garibaldi, Guiseppe : (1807-1882?) Military leader whose Red Shirt army liberated most of southern Italy, before conquering the northern section. He was instrumental in the unification of Italy.

  299. Gautama, Siddhartha : (563?-483?BCE), Indian philosopher and the founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste, and by all account led a luxurious lifestyle. However, he was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him everyday. Upon reflection, he deduced that desire was the root caused of all suffering. Also known as the Buddha.

  300. general will : Name Enlightenment thinker Jean Jacques Rousseau uses to describe majority rule.

  301. genetic engineering : The process of altering life forms by manipulating their genetic structure.

  302. Genghis Khan : (1167?-1227) One of the Mongol’s greatest leaders and founder of the Mongol Empire.

  303. genocide : The killing of all the people from a ethnic group, religious group, or people from a specific nation.

  304. gentry : Members of the upper class in some social class systems.

  305. geocentric model : Theory of the universe that states the earth is the center, and that the sun revolves around it.

  306. Ghana : One of the west African Trading Kingdoms. They were rich in gold and established a vast trading network across the Sahara desert.

  307. ghetto : Term given to poor areas of town where Jews were sent during World War II.

  308. Glasnost : A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which called for more openness with the nations of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry.

  309. Global North : Economic and political designation given to industrialized countries such those in North America and Western Europe, and also including Japan, and Australia. These nations have high standards of living and a high literacy rate.

  310. Global South : Economic and Political designation given to developing nations in Asia, Africa, and South America, many of which were former colonies during European Imperialism. These post colonial nations face low literacy rates, massive unemployment, little to no industrialization, and are generally economically dependent on their former colonial masters.

  311. Glorious Revolution : Political revolution in Great Britain in 1688 that put William and Mary on the throne, while limiting the power of the monarchy and making Parliament supreme. This event marks the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in England.

  312. Gold Coast : Name given to the parts of the west coast of Africa by European imperialist due to the amount of gold found in the region.

  313. golden age : A time in a culture of high achievement in arts, literature, and science. Generally occurs in times of peace.

  314. Gorbachev, Mikhail : (1931- ), leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His policies of Perestroika and Glasnost, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of communism.

  315. government : a person or body of people who have the power to make and enforce laws for a country or area.

  316. Great Depression : (1929-1939) The dramatic decline in the world’s economy due to the United State’s stock market crash of 1929, the overproduction of goods from World War I, and decline in the need for raw materials from non industrialized nations. Results in millions of people losing their jobs as banks and businesses closed around the world. Many people were reduced to homelessness, and had to rely on government sponsored soup kitchens to eat. World trade also declined as many countries imposed protective tariffs in an attempt to restore their economies.

  317. Great Leap Forward : The economic program designed to increase farm and industrial output though the creation of communes. Communes are similar to Soviet collectives in that groups of people live and work together on government owned farms and in government owned industry.

  318. Great Purge : The widespread arrests and executions of over a million people by Josef Stalin between 1936 and 1938. Stalin was attempting to eliminate all opposition to his rule of the Soviet Union.

  319. Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere : A imperialistic system founded by Japan consisting of other Asian countries during the early 20th century. Japan reduced its members to puppet nations, taking their raw materials and using them as new markets.

  320. Greco-Roman : The cultural mixing of both ancient Greek and Roman traditions.

  321. Greek column : Fluted column used in many of their buildings, and copied throughout the world today.

  322. Green Revolution : Throughout the 20th century, scientists worked on improving agriculture, especially in areas with high populations. Some of the technologies developed included better irrigation systems so farmers could get water to their crops. New machinery was built to handle larger production and to take the burden of agriculture work off of humans. New chemical fertilizers and pesticides were created to increase food production, and new varieties of grains and livestock were developed also for greater production. The Green Revolution has had only limited success. The high costs associated with many of these new technologies have kept the small farmer from taking advantage of them.

  323. greenhouse gas : A gas such as carbon dioxide, ozone, or water vapor that are a factoring the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.

  324. Guevara, Che : (1928-1967) Latin American guerilla leader. In the mid 20th century Guevara was instrumental in helping Fidel Castro lead the Cuban Revolution. He was later killed in Bolivia while trying to lead a revolution there.

  325. guild : An association of merchants or craftspeople in medieval Europe, formed to make regulations and set standards for a particular trade or craft.

  326. gunpowder : Chemical compound that burns very quickly. Used in weaponry.

  327. Gupta Dynasty : (320-550 C.E.)Ruling family in India during its golden age. Responsible for many achievements.

  328. Gutenberg, Johannes : (1400?-1468) German printer and European pioneer in the use of movable type.

  329. habitation : A place where something lives.

  330. Haiku : A 3 line poem that has 17 syllables in the Japanese language, and expresses a single thought, feeling or idea.

  331. hajj : The pilgrimage or holy journey to the city of Mecca

  332. Hammurabis Code : Oldest written system of laws. They were created by King Hammurabi of Babylonia in th mid 18th century BCE and placed on stones tablets for all to see.

  333. Hebrew : Semitic language originating in ancient Palestine and spoken by the Israelites. Modern Hebrew was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries from the ancient written language.

  334. Hegira : The flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Median which was instrumental to the founding of the religion of Islam. Occurs in 622 ACE, which dates the founding of Islam.

  335. heliocentric model : Theory of the universe that states the sun is the center, and that the earth revolves around it.

  336. Hellenistic : Time period from the late 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE that was characterized by Greek achievement and a blending of Persian, Egyptian, Greek, and Indian cultures due to the empire of Alexander the Great.

  337. Henry VIII : (1491-1547) King of England who transformed his country into a Protestant nation during the Reformation.

  338. Herzl, Theodor : (1860-1904) Leader of Zionist movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

  339. hieroglyphics : A system of writing which uses pictures for concepts and ideas.

  340. hijacking : The taking control of a public transport vehicle, such as an airliner or train to use the people aboard as hostages.

  341. Hinduism : A polytheistic religion that was formed from a variety of different religious practices. In Hinduism, salvation is achieved through a spiritual oneness of the soul, atman, with the ultimate reality of the universe, Brahma. To achieve this goal, the soul must obtain moksha, or liberation from the samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. As a result of these basic teachings, Hindus believe in reincarnation, which is influenced by karma (material actions resulting from the consequences of previous actions), and dharma (fulfilling one's duty in life). Because all forms of animal life possess souls, Hindus believe in ahimsa, or that all life is sacred. and should not be harmed. In fact, one animal which Hindus consider to be extremely sacred is the cow. The peaceful and contented existence of cows is considered virtuous by Hindus and would represent a rewarding reincarnation for a soul. For this reason, most Hindus are vegetarians so that they do not harm other living beings. The belief in reincarnation, karma, and dharma also provides the religious justification for the existence of the rigid social structure known as the Caste System.

  342. Hippocrates : (460?-377? BCE) Greek physician. He is considered to be the father of medicine and the ethical standard of treating all patients known as the Hippocratic Oath.

  343. Hippocratic Oath : An promise made new physicians to treat all people fairly, and to seek to preserve life. Named after a ancient Greek physician who is credited with writing it.

  344. Hirohito : (1901-1989) Emperor of Japan from 1926 until 1989. He is the last Japanese emperor to be considered divine. Led Japan through World War II.

  345. Hiroshima : Japanese city devastated during World War II when the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Aug 6th, 1945.

  346. Hitler, Adolf : (1889-1945) Austrian-born leader of Germany. He co-founded the Nazi Party in Germany, and gained control of the country as chancellor in 1933. Hitler started World War II with the invasion of Poland. He was responsible for the Holocaust.

  347. Ho Chi Minh : (1890-1969) Vietnamese leader who is responsible for ousting first the French, then the United States from his country. Supported by both communist China and the Soviet Union, he guided Vietnam through decades long warfare to emerge as a communist nation.

  348. Hobbes, Thomas : (1588-1679) English philosopher and political theorist. Wrote Leviathan, where he favored an absolute government as the only means of balancing human interests and desires with their rights of life and property.

  349. Holocaust : The attempted genocide of European Jews, Gypsies, mentally retarded, homosexuals, and others by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

  350. Holy Land : Term given to lands in present day Israel that is significant to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

  351. Holy Trinity : Formed by the Creator (Father), Redeemer (Son), and Sustainer (Holy Spirit). Christians believe that these three entities are all part of a single higher power.

  352. Hubble Space Telescope : Large space telescope able to see farther than any other telescope at the end of the 20th century.

  353. human and physical geography : The study of the environment, people, and the resources they use to live.

  354. human rights : The rights that are considered by most societies to belong automatically to all people, including the rights to justice, freedom, and equality.

  355. humanism : A philosophical movement during the Renaissance that stressed life on Earth, and the quality of being human. Rejected living only for the afterlife of Christianity.

  356. hunting and gathering : System of food production for prehistoric peoples. Involves hunting animals and gathering foods grown in the wild.

  357. Hussein, Saddam : (1937- ) President of Iraq since 1979. He has led his control into two devastating wars, one against Iran in 1980 to 1988, and the Persian Gulf War in 1990 – 1991 which started as a result of his invading Kuwait.

  358. Hutus and Tutsis : Tribes in Rwanda responsible for decades of warfare.

  359. hydroelectric power : Power that is derived from a moving body of water, such as a river or waterfall.

  360. Ibn Sina : Islamic physician, wrote a book called Canon on Medicine, which was an encyclopedia of Greek, Arabic, and his own knowledge of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe for over five hundred years.

  361. idealized realism : Art form practiced by the Greeks during the 5th century BCE. Portrays the human form very realistically, but in its perfect form.

  362. ideographs : Writing system that uses pictures of ideas.

  363. ideology : An organized system of beliefs, values, and ideas. They form the basis of a political, social, and economic philosophy.

  364. Imam : In Islam, the leader of prayers and religious scholar.

  365. immigration : The movement of people from one nation to another.

  366. Imperialism : The complete control of a weaker nation’s social, economic, and political life by a stronger nation.

  367. import : The bringing in of goods from another country for sale or trade.

  368. Inca : A Mesoamerican civilization of South America, centered in Peru. The Inca ruled a large empire and had many cultural and scientific achievements including an elaborate road system, architecture, and terrace farming. The arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire in the 15th century.

  369. Indian National Congress : Nationalistic organization in India with the purpose of ending British control. Prominent members include Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

  370. Indian Nationalist Movement : Nationalist movement to end British control of India.

  371. individualism : A social philosophy which stresses the importance of the individual above society.

  372. indulgence : Letters of forgiveness for one's sins provided by the medieval Church, and one of the causes of the Reformation.

  373. Industrial Revolution : In the second half of the 19th century, it was the fundamental change in the way goods were produced through the use of machines, capital, and the centralization of work forces in factories. It completely altered the social, economic, and political structure of most of Europe, Japan, and the United States.

  374. industrialization : The change to industrial methods of production such as the use of factories.

  375. inflation : The raising of prices on consumer goods due to an increase in the money supply.

  376. information superhighway : Term given to the Internet due to the amount of information transferred.

  377. inherit : To gain something when someone dies, such as property or money.

  378. insurance : Financial protection on property or people against loss, theft, or death.

  379. interdependence : Mutual assistance or reliance between two or more parties.

  380. International Court of Justice : Headquartered at the Hague, the Court started work in April of 1946. The Court usually hears only cases brought before it by any of the 189 U.N. Member States, but has made several concessions over the years.

  381. International Monetary Fund : An international organization established to promote monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and economic growth. The IMF also works to lower unemployment and help countries in debt manage their finances.

  382. Internet : A global network of computers that communicate through phone and satellites. The Internet has services such as the World Wide Web and e-mail.

  383. interracial marriage : The marriage of two people from different ethnic backgrounds.

  384. invasion : The entry of forces into a territory through hostile means.

  385. Irish Potato Famine : A famine in 1845 when the main crop of Ireland, potatoes, was destroyed by disease. Irish farmers grew other food items, such as wheat and oats, but Great Britain required them to export those items to them, leaving nothing for the Irish to live on. As a result, over 1 million Irish died of starvation or disease, while millions of others migrated to the United States.

  386. Irish Republican Army (IRA) : A terrorist organization based in Ireland which seeks to remove the British government from the Six Northern Counties which they control.

  387. Iron Curtain : A term popularized by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to describe the Soviet Union’s policy of isolation during the Cold War. The Iron Curtain isolated Eastern Europe from the rest of the world. Its most poignant symbol was the Berlin Wall.

  388. irrigation : A system to bring water to support crops.

  389. Islam : The word Islam, which when translated from Arabic, means "to submit to the will of Allah," is the youngest of the world's major religions. Worshippers of this monotheistic religion are known as Muslims, which means "one who submits to the will of Allah." The Islamic holy book is called the Qur’an. Islam is currently the second most practiced religion in the world, and experts predict that it will overtake Christianity as the most popular religion in the world sometime during the 21st century.

  390. Islamic fundamentalists : Muslims who believe the Quran to be a literal guide to political, social, and religious life.

  391. Israeli - Palestinian Conflict : Conflict over landownership in Israel/Palestine. This conflict has at times involved most of the nations of the Middle East as well as the United States and the Soviet Union. Widespread terrorism against Israel and its allies occurs because of this conflict.

  392. Israeli War for Independence : (1948-49) War between Israel and the Arab world over the formation of the nation of Israel.

  393. Jiang Jieshi : (1887-1975) Leader of the Guomindang, or Nationalist Party in China. Fought to keep China from becoming communist, and to resist the Japanese during World War II. He lost control of China in 1949, and fled to Taiwan where he setup a rival government. Also known as Chang Kai Shek.

  394. jihad : Effort in God’s service waged by Muslims in defense of the Islamic faith.

  395. joint stock company : A company that sells shares to investors who share in the profits and losses.

  396. Joseph II : The son of Maria Teresa and a enlightened despot who ruled over the Austrian Empire.

  397. Juárez, Benito : (1806-72) President of Mexico from 1861 to 1863 and 1867 to 1872. He was responsible for many reforms including reducing the power of the Catholic Church.

  398. Judaism : Judaism is the oldest known monotheistic religion still practiced i