Glossary
Catherine the Great
Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, known for modernizing Russia, expanding its territory, and supporting the arts and sciences, despite facing significant internal unrest.
Example:
Catherine the Great corresponded with Enlightenment thinkers and oversaw a period of significant cultural and political development in Russia.
Cossacks
Groups of free, militarized communities, often composed of escaped serfs and adventurers, who lived on the steppes of Southern Russia and played a significant role in various rebellions.
Example:
The Cossacks were known for their equestrian skills and independent spirit, often clashing with the centralized authority of the Russian tsars.
English Bill of Rights
A 1689 act of the Parliament of England that created a constitutional monarchy, limited the powers of the monarch, and established rights for Parliament and individuals.
Example:
The English Bill of Rights laid foundational principles for modern democratic governance, influencing later documents like the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Glorious Revolution
A bloodless overthrow of King James II of England in 1688 by William of Orange and Mary II, which established a constitutional monarchy and led to the English Bill of Rights.
Example:
The Glorious Revolution significantly limited the power of the English monarchy and strengthened the authority of Parliament.
Gloucester County Rebellion
An early, unsuccessful multiracial slave revolt in 1663 in the British American colonies (Virginia), involving both enslaved Africans and white indentured servants.
Example:
The failure of the Gloucester County Rebellion led to stricter laws designed to divide and control the laboring classes in Virginia.
Maratha Empire
A Hindu state founded by Shivaji that emerged in the 17th century as the Mughal Empire declined, dominating much of central and western India until 1818.
Example:
The rise of the Maratha Empire signaled a significant shift in the balance of power in India, challenging Muslim dominance.
Marathas
A group of Hindu warriors who rebelled against the Muslim Mughal Empire in India, eventually establishing their own empire.
Example:
The Marathas employed guerrilla warfare tactics to challenge the larger, more established Mughal forces, demonstrating effective resistance.
Maroons
Communities of escaped enslaved people who formed independent settlements, particularly in the Caribbean and the Americas, and often resisted colonial authorities.
Example:
The Maroons of Jamaica established treaties with the British, securing their freedom and land in exchange for assisting in the capture of new runaways.
Metacom (King Philip)
A Wampanoag leader who led a confederation of Native American tribes in a major conflict against English colonists in New England during the 1670s.
Example:
Metacom's efforts to unite various tribes against colonial expansion represented a desperate attempt to preserve indigenous sovereignty.
Metacom’s War (King Philip's War)
A devastating conflict from 1675-1676 between Native American tribes and English colonists in New England, resulting in significant casualties on both sides and a major blow to indigenous power.
Example:
Metacom’s War is considered one of the deadliest conflicts in early American history relative to the population, profoundly impacting colonial-indigenous relations.
Mughal Empire
A Muslim empire that ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th to the mid-19th century, known for its cultural achievements and centralized administration.
Example:
The Mughal Empire reached its zenith under Emperor Akbar, who promoted religious tolerance and oversaw a flourishing of art and architecture.
Popé
A Pueblo spiritual leader who orchestrated and led the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 against Spanish colonial rule.
Example:
Popé's leadership was crucial in uniting diverse Pueblo communities to achieve a rare victory against European colonizers.
Portuguese Colonization
The process by which Portugal established and maintained control over territories, primarily in Africa, South America, and Asia, often for trade and resource extraction.
Example:
The establishment of sugar plantations in Brazil was a key aspect of Portuguese Colonization, driving the demand for enslaved labor.
Pueblo Revolt
A successful uprising in 1680 by the Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico, temporarily driving the Spanish out of the region.
Example:
The Pueblo Revolt demonstrated the power of indigenous unity and resistance against European religious and cultural imposition.
Queen Nzinga
A 17th-century ruler of Ndongo and Matamba (modern-day Angola) who fiercely resisted Portuguese colonization and the slave trade.
Example:
Queen Nzinga's strategic alliances with the Dutch against the Portuguese exemplify how some African leaders sought to preserve their sovereignty during the era of European expansion.
Russian Serfs
Peasants in Russia who were legally tied to the land and subject to the will of their landlords, a system that intensified even as serfdom declined in Western Europe.
Example:
The harsh conditions faced by Russian Serfs often led to localized uprisings, though most were brutally suppressed by the central government.
Yemelyan Pugachev
A Cossack who led a massive peasant and Cossack rebellion against Catherine the Great in the 1770s, promising freedom and land to serfs.
Example:
The Yemelyan Pugachev rebellion was one of the largest peasant revolts in Russian history, shaking the foundations of imperial rule.