| A | B |
|---|
| animism | the beliefs that spirits live in the natural world. |
| archipelago | a large group of islands, an example, Japan. |
| conservative | you like to stay the same, you do not like change. |
| coup d'etat | overthrow of power of government, often violent. |
| cultural diffusion | sharing ideas from other countries. |
| culture | the unique way of life of a people. |
| democracy | people have supreme power, the government can act only with their consent. |
| divine right | belief gods gave the right to rule. |
| eurocentric | European point of view. |
| lst world countries | high technology, industrialized, higher standard of living. Ex. U.S. |
| ethnocentrism | viewing all cultures as inferior to one's own. |
| geography | study of environments and resources. |
| imperialism | the control of one country of political, economic of another country or region. |
| infrastructure | the communications and networking system in a society, ex. roads,bridges. |
| interdependence | mutual dependence of countrys on goods resources and knowledge from other parts of the world. |
| latitude | distance north or south of the equator. |
| liberal | you like change. |
| longitude | measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian |
| migration | people moving from one area to another to find freedom or a better life. |
| monotheism | doctrine or belief that there is only one God. |
| nationalism | a strong feeling of unity for one's country. |
| polytheism | belief in many gods. |
| Prime Meridian | 0' longitude |
| deforestation | clearing away of trees or forests. |
| equator | imaginary line that runs around the middle of the earth. 0' latitude. |
| third world country | unindustrialized and mainly farming country. lower standard of living. |
| topography | the physical features of a place or region. |
| urbanization | growth of cities. |
| westernization | the adoption of western culture. |
| dictator | a ruler with absolute power. |
| dictatorship | a ruler or group holds power by force. usually depends on military to enforce power. |
| radical | extreme changes or reforms in politics |
| reformation | general break in European christians over teachings and authority of Catholic church in 16th century. |
| reincarnation | Hindu belief in rebirth of the soul in another form of life. |
| republic | a government in which the people choose representatives to govern them. |
| romanticism | style of literature, art and music in the 1800's which allows freedom of form, strong feelings, imagination. |
| rural | belonging to the country, or country life, as opposed to the city. |
| serf | a peasant who did not have freedom to leave the land. |
| shogun | title of the military rulers who held power in the name of Japanese emperors. |
| social classes | rank of people in order of status. |
| social mobility | change of social classes |
| socialism | system in which the government owns and operates major businesses and controls other parts of the economy. |
| Socrates | philosopher, accused of corrupting Athens youth, questioned why. |
| spoils | goods taken from the opposition during a war. |
| stoicism | an important Hellinistic school of philosophy emphasized dignity, self-control, and reason. |
| subculture | a group of people within a society who share customs, beliefs, and values. |
| surplus | a supply greater than what is needed. |
| tariff | a tax on goods coming into or leaving a nation. |
| technology | the science of the mechanical and industrial arts. |
| totalitarianism | absolute government exercising total control over all aspects of the lives of the people. |
| traditional | of tradition, handed down and according to customs. |
| tyrant | a ruler who held complete power in a country, a dictator. |
| urban | of or having to do with cities or towns. |
| vassel | a medieval noble who pledged loyalty and services to a feudal lord in exchange for land and serfs. |
| vegetation | the plant life of a place or region. |
| vernacular | the language usually spoken in a region or country. |
| veto | to reject proposals and acts. |
| dictator | a ruler with absolute power. |
| dictatorship | a ruler or group holds power by force. |
| diffusion | the movement of customs or ideas from one place to another. |
| dynasty | a series of rulers from the same family. |
| heresy | the holding of beliefs that the church considered wrong. |
| hieroglyphics | writing system that used pictures. |
| isolationism | policy of avoiding foreign involvements and contracts. |
| nuclear family | includes wife, husband and children. |
| plebian | common people |
| predestination | idea that God picked certain people ahead of time for heaven, works did not matter. |
| nomad | people who wander from place to place rather than making permanent settlements. |
| nirvana | the condition of wanting nothing. |
| jihad | Muslin holy war. |
| karma | every deed, mental or physical in this life affects a persons fate in a future life. |
| merchantilism | economic system based on colonies of wealth. |
| empire | group of countries or states under one ruler or government. |
| extended family | several generations living in one household. ex. grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles. |
| fifial piety | respect for and obedience to one's parents. |
| vassal | a noble who received a fief. |
| self-sufficient | asking or needing no help; independent. |
| chivalry | code of honor/behavior for a knight. |
| manor | the estate of a medieval lord. |
| feudalism | political system in which nobles are granted the use of the King's land in exchange for service to him. |
| manorial system | economic system of the Middle ages. |
| parliament | group of representatives elected to help make laws in England. |
| limited monarchy | government in which limits are set on rulers powers. |
| medieval | middle ages. |
| common law | royal judges decisions were written down and used for future cases. |
| magna carta | document which limited the power of the king, and gave rights to barons. |
| apprentice | person bound by an agreement to a master artisan for a specific amount of time in return for instruction in a craft. |
| guild | a medival organization formed by merchants of the same trade to protect its members and set business policies. |
| charter | a document in which a lord gave people of a town the right to set up their own laws and system of taxes. |
| crusades | a series of campaigns led by European christains seeking to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims. |
| clergy | the ordained officials of an organized religion. |
| absolute monarchy | government in which the ruler has complete power. |
