Glossary
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 by a Serbian nationalist served as the immediate spark for the outbreak of World War I.
Example:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a series of ultimatums and declarations of war, quickly drawing the major European powers into a global conflict.
Balance of Power
A political theory aiming to prevent any single nation from dominating others by distributing military and economic strength among competing states.
Example:
After the Napoleonic Wars, the balance of power established by the Congress of Vienna sought to ensure no single European nation could again achieve hegemonic control.
Berlin Conference
A conference held in Berlin (1884-1885) where European powers regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, formalizing the 'Scramble for Africa' without African representation.
Example:
The Berlin Conference established the rules for claiming African territory, effectively carving up the continent among European powers and setting the stage for decades of exploitation.
Colonialism
The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Example:
British colonialism in India involved direct rule and the extraction of resources like cotton and tea, which were then shipped back to Britain for processing.
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings in 1815 among European powers to restore the old order after Napoleon's defeat and prevent future revolutions.
Example:
The Congress of Vienna redrew the map of Europe, aiming to suppress revolutionary ideas and re-establish monarchies, but it ultimately failed to contain the rising tide of nationalism.
Factory Production
A system of manufacturing goods in centralized facilities using machinery and a division of labor, replacing traditional decentralized cottage industries.
Example:
The shift to factory production led to standardized goods, increased output, and the concentration of workers in urban centers, fundamentally changing labor practices.
First Industrial Revolution
The initial phase of industrialization (c. 1750-1850), primarily in Great Britain, characterized by innovations in textiles, steam power, and the shift from cottage industries to factory production.
Example:
The First Industrial Revolution transformed British society, leading to massive rural-to-urban migration and the emergence of a distinct industrial working class.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means, often driven by economic, political, and social motivations.
Example:
European imperialism in the late 19th century was largely driven by the need for raw materials for industrial factories and new markets for manufactured goods.
Liberalism
A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, constitutional government, free markets, and limited government intervention, often inspired by Enlightenment ideals.
Example:
Advocates of liberalism in 19th-century Europe pushed for reforms like expanded suffrage and freedom of the press, challenging the traditional monarchical systems.
Metternich
Klemens von Metternich was the Austrian foreign minister and a key player at the Congress of Vienna, known for his conservative efforts to maintain the balance of power and suppress liberalism and nationalism.
Example:
Metternich famously stated, 'When France sneezes, Europe catches cold,' highlighting his belief in the interconnectedness of European stability and his desire to prevent revolutionary contagion.
Militarism
The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Example:
The arms race between Germany and Britain, particularly in naval power, was a clear manifestation of militarism that heightened pre-World War I tensions.
Nationalism
A belief in the importance of national identity based on shared culture, language, and history, often leading to movements for unification or independence.
Example:
The fervent nationalism of the Italian states eventually led to their unification under figures like Garibaldi and Cavour, creating a single Italian nation.
Revolutions of 1830
A series of liberal and nationalist uprisings across Europe, notably in France and Belgium, challenging the conservative order established by the Congress of Vienna.
Example:
The July Revolution in France, part of the Revolutions of 1830, saw the overthrow of King Charles X and the establishment of a more liberal constitutional monarchy under Louis-Philippe.
Revolutions of 1848
A widespread wave of liberal and nationalist revolutions across Europe, sparked by economic hardship and political discontent, though most ultimately failed to achieve their long-term goals.
Example:
Despite their widespread nature, the Revolutions of 1848 often lacked unified leadership and clear objectives, leading to their suppression by conservative forces across the continent.
Scramble for Africa
The rapid invasion, occupation, division, and colonization of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism (1881-1914).
Example:
The Scramble for Africa intensified rivalries among European nations as they competed to claim vast territories and their resources, often with little regard for existing African societies.
Second Industrial Revolution
A later phase of industrialization (c. 1870-1914) characterized by new technologies like electricity, steel, chemicals, and the internal combustion engine, expanding industrialization beyond Britain.
Example:
The Second Industrial Revolution saw the rise of new industrial powers like Germany and the United States, fueled by innovations in steel production and electrical power.
Steam Engine
A revolutionary technological innovation of the Industrial Revolution that converted steam power into mechanical work, significantly impacting transportation and factory production.
Example:
James Watt's improvements to the steam engine made it a practical power source for factories, allowing them to be built anywhere, not just near rivers, and revolutionizing textile production.
Triple Alliance
A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, designed for mutual defense.
Example:
The formation of the Triple Alliance created a powerful Central European bloc, contributing to the rigid alliance system that escalated tensions before World War I.
Triple Entente
A military alliance formed between France, Great Britain, and Russia by 1907, serving as a counterweight to the Triple Alliance.
Example:
The Triple Entente solidified the division of Europe into two major armed camps, making a localized conflict much more likely to draw in all major powers.
Urbanization
The process of population shift from rural areas to cities, driven by the growth of industrial centers and the availability of factory jobs.
Example:
Rapid urbanization during the Industrial Revolution led to overcrowded cities, poor sanitation, and the rise of new social problems like disease and crime.