Glossary
American Revolution
A political upheaval (1775-1783) in which the thirteen American colonies broke away from British rule, forming the independent United States of America.
Example:
The American Revolution was fueled by colonial grievances over taxation without representation, leading to a war for independence that France supported to weaken its British rival.
Constitutional Monarchy
A form of government in which a monarch's power is limited by a constitution and laws, rather than being absolute.
Example:
After the Glorious Revolution, England transitioned into a constitutional monarchy, where Parliament held significant power alongside the crown.
English Bill of Rights
A landmark act signed in 1689 that established limits on the power of the monarch and set out the rights of Parliament and individuals.
Example:
The English Bill of Rights ensured that future monarchs could not suspend laws or levy taxes without parliamentary consent, protecting citizen liberties.
Glorious Revolution
A pivotal, mostly bloodless transfer of power in England (1688-1689) that saw King James II overthrown and replaced by William and Mary.
Example:
The Glorious Revolution fundamentally altered the balance of power in England, paving the way for a more democratic system.
Mercantilism
An economic theory prevalent from the 16th to 18th centuries, where a nation's wealth was measured by its accumulation of precious metals, and colonies existed primarily to benefit the mother country.
Example:
Under mercantilism, Britain viewed its American colonies as sources of raw materials like tobacco and cotton, which would then be processed and sold back as finished goods.
Seven Years' War
A global conflict (1756-1763) fought between major European powers and their colonies, primarily Britain and France, for commercial and colonial supremacy.
Example:
The Seven Years' War was a truly global conflict, with battles raging from the forests of North America to the plains of India, ultimately solidifying Britain's dominance.
Triangular Trade
A transatlantic trade network connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, primarily involving the exchange of manufactured goods, enslaved people, and raw materials.
Example:
The Triangular Trade route saw European ships carry manufactured goods to Africa, enslaved people to the Americas, and raw materials like sugar and tobacco back to Europe.