| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Appeasement | satisfying the demands of dissatisfied powers in an effort to maintain peace and stability |
| Aristocracy | an upper class whose wealth is based on land and whose power is passed on from one generation to another |
| Autonomous | self-governing |
| Caste System | a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society |
| Concentration Camp | a camp where prisoners of war, political prisoners, or members of minority groups are confined, typically under harsh conditions |
| Conquistador | a Spanish conqueror of the Americas |
| Crusades | a series of military expeditions by Christian Europe to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims |
| Dictator | an absolute ruler |
| Disarmament | a limit or reduction in armed forces or weapons |
| Dissident | a person who speaks out against the regime in power |
| Divine Right of Kings | the idea that kings receive their power from God and are responsible only to God |
| Dynasty | a family line of rulers who's right to rule is passed on within the family |
| Feudalism | a political and social system that developed during the Middle Ages; nobles offered protection and land in return for service |
| Hellenistic | pertaining to Greek language and culture |
| Heresy | thoughts and ideas that are contrary to the teachings of the Christian faith |
| Hieroglyphics | a sophisticated system of writing based on pictures |
| Magna Carta | a written code that limited the power of the English monarchy for the first time; also called the Great Charter |
| Middle Passage | the middle portion of the triangular trade that brought African slaves to the Americas |
| Nationalism | the unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols |
| Natural Rights | the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property |
| Nomad | people who move from place to place following animal migrations and vegetation cycles |
| Propaganda | ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause |
| Renaissance | a period in European history of the rebirth of learning based on the knowledge of ancient Roman and Greek learning; mainly in art, philosophy, invention, exploration and religious reform |
| Reparation | payment made to the victor by the vanquished to cover the costs of a war |
| Rural | of or relating to people who live in the country |
| Secular | a viewpoint void of religious thought or considerations |
| Social Contract | the idea that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will |
| Socialism | a system in which society, usually in the form of the government, owns and controls the means of production |
| Totalitarian | a government that aims to control the political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural lives of its citizens |
| Urban | of or located in the city |
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