Global Studies A-Z
Illustrated Dictionary
~A~
Anti-Semitism: is prejudice against or hostility towards Jews often rooted in
hatred of their ethnic background, culture,
and/or religion.
Hitler used the belief of Anti-Semitism to persecute Jewish people.
This led to the holocaust, which was the mass killing of Jews.
~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.
C-Columbian Exchange- the exchange of goods, ideas, and disease between the eastern and
western hemisphere.
The Columbian Exchange took place during the age of exploration in the 1400-1600’s.
Europe brought; cattle, horses, peaches, coffee beans, onions, and grapes over to the
Americans. The Americans sent; tobacco, potatoes, vanilla, corn, peanuts, and cacao to
the European countries. Not all of this was good however, the Europeans also brought
over diseases like; smallpox, influenza, and measles, something that the native people of
the Americas have never been exposed to before. Nearly a quarter of the population
died from disease.
D-Decolonization-
E-
F-Feudalism-powerful land owners, lords, divided their land into sections called fiefs. Each fied
was given to a lesser lord called a vassal, who in return pledged loyalty and military support.
Surfs, or peasants, then worked on these lands in trade for protection.
During the Germanic era, Europe was broken up into small communities called fiefdoms.
On these were even smaller communities called manors. These manors were self-
sufficient which means everything they needed was produced there. Because of this
little trade and outside contact was made.
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H-Humanism-The study and adoption of classical values
The 1300-1500’s was the ‘rebirth’ of Europe known as the Renaissance. During this time
there was political stability, economy was up, and there were achievements in arts and
sciences. Humanism focuses on the revival of Greek and Roman culture and values such
as; perfection and balance shown in Myron’s discus thrower or David made by
Michelangelo. These cultures were known as classical and were appreciated.
I-Indulgences-selling forgiveness for sins to raise money for the church
During the Reformation in the 1500’s, people started criticizing corrupt practices of the
church, one of these being the selling of Indulgences. Martin Luther, a German monk
and theology professor argued against the sale of indulgences and other church abuses.
He wrote his 95 Thesis, which was a list of his arguments against the sale of indulgences,
which were then copied and spread rapidly by the printing press.
J-Judaism-mono, Ten Commandments, afterlife
Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, some beliefs were monotheist, ten
commandments, and equality. The religion was spread easily because on the road
system, common language, and because it was during the Pax Romana. Believers were
persecuted because Roman officials feared the power of Jesus, and believers were used
as scape goats. King Nero crucified and burned many of them. Once Constantine came
to power, he converted and Christianity became the official religion. Soon pagan, or
polytheistic, became outlawed.
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M-Missionaries
During the Dark Age, clergy members attempted to convert Germanic and Celtic people
to Christianity. In order to adapt to the rural life these groups the clergy made religious
communities called monasteries.
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P-phalanx-fighting formation
Best used by Sparta. Translates to roller and the first row was made up of the best
fighter, with the old at the end, sandwiching the young fighters. It was about eight rows
deep and needs flat ground. Made up of Hoplites who wore about 75 pounds of armor.
Most famous battle is Thermopylae in 480 B.C. when king Xerxes of Persia met with
7,000 Greeks and 300 Spartans were they Greeks held them off for three days.
Although the Greeks eventually lost, it made a great impression on the rest of Greece
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R-republic-indirect or representative democracy
In Rome there were two classes, the plebeians who were the common people and the
patricians who were the wealthy people. There were three branches of government;
executive, judicial and legislative. The executive was made up of two consuls who had
the power to veto each other. The judicial was made up of Praetors who were the
highest judges and were chosen for one year. The legislative was made up of a tribune,
who was the voice of the plebeians, and the senate made up of 300 members and
served for life. There were also the twelve tables which was the written system of law
codified, such as innocent until proven guilty.
S-Sewers-
In Rome, they developed sewers for hygiene in their overpopulated cities. The well-
known is the Cloacca Maxima, which drains into the Tiber River. Originaly sewers were
right on top of the ground but later, due to the need of space, they were built
underground. Romans used water proof concrete and limestone to build then and used
arches to keep from the ground collapsing in on them. Some sewers made 2,000 years
ago are still used today.
T-
U-Unequal distribution of wealth-Distributing wealth unequally
The French Revolution took place from 1789-1799. One of the main causes was the
unequal distribution of wealth. There was a tax burden that fell heavily on the 3rd estate
while the 1st and 2nd had little tax obligation.
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