| A | B |
|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Boers | Dutch descended colonist living in South Africa. Also called Afrikaners. |
| Simón Bolívar | (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. |
| Bolshevik | Early name of communists during the Russian Revolution of 1917. |
| Napoleon Bonaparte | (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. |
| botany | The study of plant life. |
| bourgeoisie | Term given to the middle class people in society.
Boxer Rebellion, |
| boycott | to refuse to buy and use certain goods |
| Brahma | Hindu god called the Creator. Brahma is the first member of the triad
that includes Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.
Brahman, |
| Leonid Brezhnev | (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. |
| 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.
bubonic plague, |
| by fever | chills |
| Buddha | Hindu for “enlightened one.” See also Siddhartha Gautama. |
| 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. |
| bureaucract | The administration portion of the government. |
| Bushido | Code of conduct for Samurai and nobles during Japanese feudalism. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Julius Caesar | (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. |
| calendar | A system for keeping track of time. |
