| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anti-imperialist sentiment | Opposition to the extension of a country's power and influence over other territories and peoples, particularly during the decolonization period following World War II. |
| Cold War | The ideological and geopolitical conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies that lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. |
| dissolution of empires | The process by which colonial empires lost control of their territories and granted independence to colonized peoples, particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century. |
| global balance of power | The distribution of military, economic, and political influence among nations on the world stage, which shifted significantly after World War II. |
| restructuring of states | The reorganization and reformation of political boundaries and governmental systems, particularly as former colonies gained independence and new nations were established. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| capitalism | An economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses, with production and prices determined by market forces. |
| communism | A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where resources and means of production are collectively owned. |
| ideological struggle | The conflict between opposing belief systems and political philosophies, particularly between capitalism and communism during the Cold War. |
| Non-Aligned Movement | A coalition of countries that refused to align with either the United States or Soviet Union during the Cold War, seeking to maintain independence and pursue their own development. |
| power struggle | Competition between the United States and Soviet Union for global influence and dominance during the Cold War era. |
| superpowers | Nations with the greatest economic, political, and military power and influence on a global scale, specifically the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Angolan Civil War | A proxy conflict in Angola where the Soviet Union and Cuba supported one faction while the United States supported another during the Cold War. |
| Cold War | The ideological and geopolitical conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies that lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. |
| Korean War | A proxy conflict (1950-1953) between communist North Korea supported by the Soviet Union and China, and non-communist South Korea supported by the United States. |
| military alliances | Formal agreements between nations to provide mutual defense and security cooperation, such as those formed during the Cold War. |
| North Atlantic Treaty Organization | The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 by Western nations led by the United States to counter Soviet expansion in Europe. |
| nuclear proliferation | The spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons technology to additional countries during the Cold War. |
| postcolonial states | Nations that gained independence from colonial rule, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and became sites of Cold War competition. |
| proxy wars | Indirect military conflicts between superpowers fought through allied nations or client states rather than direct confrontation between the superpowers themselves. |
| Sandinista-Contras conflict | A proxy war in Nicaragua where the Soviet Union and Cuba supported the Sandinista government while the United States supported the Contra rebels. |
| Warsaw Pact | A military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states as a counterweight to NATO. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Chinese communists | Political and military forces in China that adopted communist ideology and eventually seized power to establish communist rule. |
| communism | A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where resources and means of production are collectively owned. |
| communist revolution | A violent or rapid political upheaval resulting in the establishment of a communist government and restructuring of society along communist principles. |
| Great Leap Forward | A Chinese economic and social campaign (1958-1962) under Mao Zedong that aimed to rapidly industrialize and collectivize agriculture, resulting in widespread famine and suffering. |
| internal tension | Domestic conflict and instability within a nation, including civil strife and competing political factions. |
| Japanese aggression | Military expansion and invasion by Japan, particularly in China during the early-to-mid 20th century, which contributed to internal instability. |
| land reform | Government policies aimed at redistributing land ownership, typically from large landowners to peasants or the state. |
| redistribute economic resources | The process of reallocating wealth, land, and material goods from one group or class to another, often to reduce economic inequality. |
| repressive policies | Government actions designed to suppress dissent, limit freedoms, and maintain strict control over the population. |
| socialism | A political and economic ideology advocating for collective or state ownership of resources and means of production, with the goal of reducing economic inequality. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| armed struggle | The use of military force and violent conflict by colonized peoples to achieve independence from imperial rule. |
| autonomy | Self-governance or the right of a region or group to control its own affairs while potentially remaining within a larger political structure. |
| colonial rule | The political control and governance exercised by a colonial power over a territory and its indigenous population. |
| ethnic movements | Organized efforts by people sharing common ethnic or cultural identity to challenge colonial rule or pursue autonomy. |
| imperial boundaries | Political borders established by imperial powers that often divided ethnic, religious, or regional groups. |
| imperial rule | The political control and governance exercised by an imperial power over colonized territories and peoples. |
| independence | The state of being free from colonial or imperial rule and having sovereign control over one's own government and territory. |
| nationalist leaders | Political figures who led movements seeking autonomy or independence from imperial rule in colonized territories. |
| nationalist parties | Political organizations that mobilized populations to pursue independence or autonomy from colonial powers. |
| negotiated independence | The process by which colonies achieved independence through diplomatic agreements and peaceful negotiations with imperial powers. |
| regional movements | Organized efforts by people in specific geographic areas to challenge colonial rule or seek greater autonomy. |
| religious movements | Organized efforts based on religious identity or principles that challenged colonial rule or sought independence. |
| secessionist movement | An organized effort by a group to separate from an existing political entity and establish independent governance. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| colonial authorities | The governing powers that exercised control over colonial territories before independence. |
| creation of the state of Israel | The establishment of Israel as an independent nation-state in 1948, following the withdrawal of British mandate authority from Palestine. |
| decolonization | The process by which former colonial territories gained independence from imperial powers, typically after World War II. |
| dissolution of empires | The process by which colonial empires lost control of their territories and granted independence to colonized peoples, particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century. |
| economic development | Government-led efforts to promote growth, industrialization, and modernization of a newly independent state's economy. |
| imperial metropoles | The major cities and centers of former colonizing countries that maintained economic and cultural ties with their former colonies after independence. |
| migration | The movement of former colonial subjects from newly independent states to former colonizing countries, maintaining cultural and economic connections. |
| nationalist developments | The growth of nationalist movements and the emergence of nation-states based on shared identity, culture, or political ideology. |
| Partition of India | The 1947 division of British India into two independent nations: India and Pakistan, resulting in massive population displacement and communal violence. |
| political boundaries | The borders and territorial divisions established by governments, often redrawn during decolonization to create new independent states. |
| population displacement | The forced or voluntary movement of people from their original territories, often resulting from political or territorial changes. |
| resettlement | The process of relocating populations to new territories, often as a result of political reorganization or conflict. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| militarized states | States that have organized their governments and societies around military power and the preparation for or conduct of warfare. |
| military-industrial complex | The interconnected relationship between military institutions, defense industries, and government that influences political and economic policy. |
| nonviolence | A political and social strategy of opposing power structures and achieving change through peaceful means rather than armed conflict or violence. |
| political change | Transformation in systems of governance, power distribution, or political structures. |
| terrorism | The use of violence against civilians to create fear and achieve political aims. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan invasion | The Soviet Union's military intervention in Afghanistan beginning in 1979, which became a costly conflict that drained Soviet resources and contributed to internal discontent. |
| Cold War | The ideological and geopolitical conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies that lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. |
| economic weakness | The deteriorating economic conditions in communist countries, including stagnation, inefficiency, and inability to compete with Western economies, which undermined public support for communist regimes. |
| military and technological development | Advances in U.S. weapons systems, defense capabilities, and technology that increased military superiority and contributed to Soviet inability to maintain competitive parity. |
| public discontent | Growing dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens in communist countries regarding political repression, economic hardship, and lack of freedoms. |
| Soviet Union | The communist superpower that existed from 1922 to 1991, led by the Communist Party and headed by leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev during its final years. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anti-imperialist sentiment | Opposition to the extension of a country's power and influence over other territories and peoples, particularly during the decolonization period following World War II. |
| Cold War | The ideological and geopolitical conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies that lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. |
| dissolution of empires | The process by which colonial empires lost control of their territories and granted independence to colonized peoples, particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century. |
| Eastern Hemisphere | The half of the Earth east of the Prime Meridian, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. |
| global institutions | International organizations and associations created to coordinate policies and address issues affecting multiple nations. |
| ideological conflict | A struggle between opposing systems of beliefs, values, and political principles. |
| self-government | The right and ability of a people or state to govern themselves without external control or interference. |
| Western Hemisphere | The half of the Earth west of the Prime Meridian, including North and South America. |