Colonialism And Decolonization Study Cards

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Colonialism

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Imperialism

A policy or ideology of extending a nation's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.

European Colonial Powers

Countries such as Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands that established colonies and empires around the world.

Scramble for Africa

The rapid colonization and annexation of Africa by European powers during the New Imperialism period from the 1880s to the early 1900s.

Berlin Conference

A meeting held in 1884-1885 where European powers divided Africa among themselves, disregarding African sovereignty and leading to increased colonization.

White Man's Burden

A phrase used to justify European colonization and imperialism, suggesting that it was the duty of white Europeans to civilize and educate non-white peoples.

Sepoy Rebellion

A major uprising against British rule in India in 1857-1858, sparked by the use of rifle cartridges greased with animal fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

Opium Wars

Two wars fought between China and Western powers (primarily Britain) in the mid-19th century over the trade of opium, resulting in China's defeat and the imposition of unequal treaties.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-imperialist uprising in China from 1899 to 1901, led by a secret society called the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, aimed at expelling foreign influence.

Indian National Congress

A political party founded in 1885 that played a key role in the Indian independence movement, advocating for self-rule and representing the interests of Indians.

Mahatma Gandhi

A prominent leader of the Indian independence movement who employed nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to achieve political and social change.

Pan-Africanism

A movement that advocates for the unity and solidarity of all African peoples, both on the continent and in the diaspora, in the face of colonialism and racism.

Negritude Movement

A literary and ideological movement in the 1930s and 1940s that sought to celebrate and reclaim African culture and identity, countering the effects of colonialism.

Apartheid

A system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, perpetuating white minority rule.

Nelson Mandela

A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, advocating for equality and reconciliation.

Partition of India

The division of British India into the independent nations of India and Pakistan in 1947, resulting in widespread violence and mass migration.

Mau Mau Uprising

An armed rebellion against British colonial rule in Kenya from 1952 to 1960, led by the Mau Mau movement, seeking independence and land reform.

Algerian War of Independence

A conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) from 1954 to 1962, resulting in Algeria's independence from French colonial rule.

Vietnam War

A protracted conflict from 1955 to 1975 between North Vietnam (supported by the Soviet Union and China) and South Vietnam (supported by the United States and its allies), resulting in the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

Kenya's Independence

Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule on December 12, 1963, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.

Suez Crisis

A 1956 conflict between Egypt and a coalition of British, French, and Israeli forces over control of the Suez Canal, resulting in Egypt's victory and the withdrawal of foreign forces.

Cuban Revolution

A successful armed revolt led by Fidel Castro and his 26th of July Movement against the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, resulting in the establishment of a socialist state in Cuba.

Ghana's Independence

Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957, under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah.

Négritude

A literary and ideological movement that emerged in the 1930s among French-speaking black intellectuals, celebrating black culture and identity in the face of colonialism.

Pan-Arabism

A movement advocating for the political and cultural unity of Arab nations, seeking to counter Western influence and assert Arab identity and interests.

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)

An organization founded in 1964 with the goal of establishing a Palestinian state and representing the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israeli occupation.

African National Congress (ANC)

A political party founded in 1912 that played a key role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, eventually leading to the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as President.

Indian Partition

The division of British India into the independent nations of India and Pakistan in 1947, resulting in widespread violence and mass migration.

French Indochina

A colonial federation of French territories in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, which faced resistance and eventually gained independence.

British Raj

The period of British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent from 1858 to 1947, characterized by economic exploitation and political control.

Portuguese Colonial Empire

A vast overseas empire established by Portugal from the 15th to the 20th century, encompassing territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Belgian Congo

The former colony of Belgium in Central Africa, known for its brutal exploitation and mistreatment of the Congolese people under colonial rule.

British East India Company

A British trading company that played a major role in the colonization and exploitation of India, eventually becoming the de facto ruler of large parts of the subcontinent.

Berlin Wall

A barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin, symbolizing the division between Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies and dependent territories gained independence from their colonial rulers, often marked by political, social, and economic challenges.

Neocolonialism

The continued economic and political dominance of former colonial powers over former colonies, often through indirect means such as economic exploitation and cultural influence.

Post-Colonialism

An academic and intellectual movement that examines the cultural, political, and social legacies of colonialism and imperialism, as well as the ongoing struggles for self-determination and equality.

Third World

A term used during the Cold War to refer to countries that were not aligned with either the capitalist First World or the communist Second World, often characterized by poverty and underdevelopment.

Global South

A term used to refer to countries and regions in the southern hemisphere, particularly those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which face economic and social challenges as a result of historical colonialism and ongoing globalization.

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture and customs of another group, often as a result of colonialism or forced assimilation policies.

Nationalism

A political ideology and movement that emphasizes the interests, culture, and identity of a particular nation, often seeking self-determination and independence from colonial rule.

Anti-Colonial Movements

Political and social movements that emerged in response to colonialism, seeking to challenge and overthrow colonial rule and establish independent nations.

Post-Colonial Literature

Literary works that explore the experiences, identities, and legacies of colonialism and imperialism, often written by authors from formerly colonized countries.

Cultural Hybridity

The blending and mixing of different cultural influences and traditions, often resulting from colonial encounters and the interaction between colonizers and colonized peoples.

Reparations

Compensation or restitution paid by former colonial powers to formerly colonized countries or peoples as a way to acknowledge and address the historical injustices and economic exploitation of colonialism.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries and peoples around the world, often driven by economic, technological, and cultural factors, with both positive and negative impacts on post-colonial societies.

Human Rights

Fundamental rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or other characteristics, often violated during the era of colonialism and addressed in post-colonial struggles for justice and equality.

Self-Determination

The right of a people or nation to freely determine their political status, form of government, and economic development, often denied under colonial rule and sought after during the decolonization process.

Colonial Legacy

The lasting impact of colonialism on the political, economic, social, and cultural structures of formerly colonized countries, often characterized by inequality, poverty, and ongoing challenges.