Glossary
1905 Revolution
A wave of mass political and social unrest that spread through the Russian Empire in 1905, triggered by the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and leading to the establishment of the Duma (parliament).
Example:
Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protestors were shot by imperial guards, was a key event that ignited the 1905 Revolution across Russia.
1911 Revolution
The uprising that overthrew the Qing Dynasty in China, leading to the establishment of the Republic of China and marking the end of over 2,000 years of imperial rule.
Example:
The Wuchang Uprising sparked the 1911 Revolution, which quickly spread across China and led to the abdication of the last emperor, Puyi.
1917 Revolution
A series of political upheavals in Russia in 1917 that overthrew the Tsarist autocracy (February Revolution) and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union under Bolshevik rule (October Revolution).
Example:
The 1917 Revolution fundamentally reshaped global politics, ending centuries of imperial rule in Russia and inspiring communist movements worldwide.
Boxer Rebellion
An anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China between 1899 and 1901, led by a secret society known as the Boxers, which further weakened the Qing Dynasty and led to increased foreign intervention.
Example:
The Boxer Rebellion saw Chinese nationalists attack foreign legations in Beijing, demonstrating widespread resentment against Western and Japanese influence in China.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means of economic and political control over other territories.
Example:
European imperialism in the 19th century led to the colonization of vast swathes of Africa and Asia, driven by desires for raw materials and new markets.
Industrialization
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods, characterized by technological innovation, factory production, and urbanization.
Example:
Great Britain's early industrialization led to its dominance in textile production and the growth of its global empire.
Meiji Restoration
A rapid period of political, social, and economic change in Japan beginning in 1868, which restored imperial rule and led to Japan's rapid modernization and emergence as a major power.
Example:
The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan from an isolated feudal society into a formidable industrial and military force, allowing it to challenge European dominance in Asia.
Nationalism
A strong sense of loyalty and devotion to one's nation, often emphasizing shared culture, language, or ethnicity, and advocating for self-determination or political independence.
Example:
The rise of nationalism in the 19th century fueled movements for unification in Germany and Italy, as well as independence movements against empires.
Ottoman Empire (Decline/Collapse)
The gradual weakening and eventual dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, a vast Islamic empire, due to internal pressures, external conflicts, and a failure to fully modernize, culminating in its collapse after World War I.
Example:
The 'Sick Man of Europe' nickname reflected the severe internal and external challenges faced by the Ottoman Empire, leading to its eventual decline and collapse.
Qing China (Decline/Collapse)
The weakening and eventual overthrow of China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, due to internal rebellions, foreign imperialism, and a failure to adapt to global changes.
Example:
The Qing Dynasty faced immense pressure from both internal revolts like the Taiping Rebellion and external aggression from European powers, leading to its eventual collapse.
Revolutions
Fundamental and often sudden changes in political power and organization, typically involving widespread social unrest and leading to significant shifts in governance and societal structure.
Example:
The American, French, and Russian Revolutions each dramatically altered their respective societies and inspired similar movements globally.
Russian Empire (Decline/Collapse)
The weakening and eventual dissolution of the Russian Empire in the early 20th century, driven by political instability, economic mismanagement, social unrest, and military defeats.
Example:
The defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and the subsequent 1905 Revolution exposed the deep-seated weaknesses that led to the Russian Empire's eventual collapse.
Russo-Japanese War
A military conflict fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan from 1904 to 1905, primarily over territorial disputes in Manchuria and Korea, which Japan decisively won.
Example:
Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War shocked the world, as it was the first time an Asian power had defeated a major European power in modern history.
Self-Strengthening Movement
A late 19th-century reform effort in China by Qing officials to modernize the military and economy by adopting Western technology and methods, while preserving traditional Confucian values.
Example:
Despite building modern factories and railroads, the Self-Strengthening Movement ultimately failed to save the Qing Dynasty due to conservative resistance and deep-seated corruption.
Soviet Union
A socialist state established in 1922 after the 1917 Russian Revolution, which became a major global power and ideological rival to Western capitalist nations throughout the 20th century.
Example:
The formation of the Soviet Union marked the world's first communist state, profoundly impacting international relations and sparking the Cold War.
Taiping Rebellion
A massive and devastating civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by Hong Xiuquan, which severely weakened the Qing Dynasty and resulted in millions of deaths.
Example:
The Taiping Rebellion, fueled by religious visions and social discontent, was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, highlighting the Qing Dynasty's internal fragility.
Tanzimat Reforms
A series of modernization and westernization efforts in the Ottoman Empire from 1839 to 1876, aimed at restructuring administration, law, and society to strengthen the empire and prevent its decline.
Example:
The Tanzimat Reforms introduced a new legal code based on European models and abolished the slave trade, attempting to bring the Ottoman Empire in line with Western standards.
United States (as a global power)
The emergence of the United States as a significant international force in the early 20th century, marked by its acquisition of overseas territories and increasing economic and military strength.
Example:
After the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired territories like the Philippines, signaling its growing role as a global power beyond the Americas.
Western European Powers
A collective term referring to dominant European nations like Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands, who held significant global influence due to industrialization and colonial expansion in the early 20th century.
Example:
During the Scramble for Africa, the Western European Powers carved up the continent, demonstrating their immense global reach and economic might.
Young Turks
A reformist political movement in the early 20th century Ottoman Empire that launched a revolution in 1908, seeking to restore constitutional rule and further modernize the empire.
Example:
The Young Turks pushed for a more representative government and Turkish nationalism, ultimately playing a key role in the Ottoman Empire's final years.