Unit 8 Vocab Guide
UNIT 8 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT 17501Key Unit VocabularyThis report provides a summary of key vocabulary for this unit. For each word, you will find the definition, part of speech, word forms (plurals/tenses), synonyms, and examples of how the word, or forms of the word, are used in a sentence.activism• the belief in or practice of trying to make social or political changes through active, sometimes militant, involvement, especially in particular issuesPart of speech:nounWord forms:activistSynonyms:advocacyIn a sentence:She believed that activism could bring about change, and she spoke at and took part in many demonstrations to support environmental causes.apartheid• a policy of racial segregation, especially the segregation of blacks and whites and the discrimination against blacks in the Republic of South AfricaPart of speech:nounWord forms:Synonyms:segregationIn a sentence:When studying apartheid in South Africa, we must keep in mind how recent this system of segregation existed. containment• a government policy, enacted in a variety of ways, that is intended to curb the territorial growth, economic expansion, or ideological influence of a hostile nation, usually in reference to the American policy of containing communism during the Cold WarPart of speech:nounWord forms:contain, containerSynonyms:control, constraintIn a sentence:The Truman Doctrine outlined a policy of containment, where the US would strive to prevent the spread of the Soviet Union's influence. coup• the sudden and forceful attempt of a group, especially of military or other government personnel, to seize state powerPart of speech:nounWord forms:coupsSynonyms:plot, revolutionIn a sentence:Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup to take over the French government by force.
UNIT 8 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT 17502decolonization• the process or act of freeing a colony or eliminating colonialismPart of speech:nounWord forms:decolonizeSynonyms:freedom, overthrowingIn a sentence:The decolonization process left many previous colonies in shambles due to economic dependence and arbitrary borders made by colonizers.dependency• the condition of relying on another for help or supportPart of speech:nounWord forms:dependence, dependentSynonyms:reliance, dependenceIn a sentence:The baby birds' dependency on their parents for food required them to stay in the nest at all times.dissident• one who disagrees with, dissents from, or opposes (the opinions or doctrines of others or the authority of some group or institution)Part of speech:nounWord forms:dissidentsSynonyms:renegade, rebelIn a sentence:Dissidents, who wrote books that had been banned by the government, found ways to publish their books outside the country.ideological• of or concerning basic beliefs, concepts, and social and political aims of an individual, group, or institutionPart of speech:adjectiveWord forms:ideologically, ideologySynonyms:philosophical, intellectualIn a sentence:The ideological differences between capitalists and socialists are immense.intervention• the act of entering a situation so as to change what is happening by one nation in the affairs of another, as with military forcePart of speech:nounWord forms:interventions, interventional, interveneSynonyms:interferenceIn a sentence:If the civil conflict continues to escalate in that country, a military intervention may be the only way to stop the slaughter of civilians.
UNIT 8 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT 17503minority• a group that differs in race, ethnic background, religion, or political ideas from the majority of people in a societyPart of speech:nounWord forms:minoritiesSynonyms:faction, sectIn a sentence:People not of Caucasian descent are considered minorities in America. nationalize• to bring under government ownership or controlPart of speech:verbWord forms:nationalizes, nationalized, nationalizing, nationalizationSynonyms:communalizeIn a sentence:The administration intends to nationalize the banks.nonviolence• the policy or practice of refusing to use violent means to pursue political or social aimsPart of speech:nounWord forms:nonviolent, non-violentlySynonyms:peaceful, nonviolentIn a sentence:One of Gandhi's main principles was nonviolence.nuclear• of or having atomic or hydrogen bombsPart of speech:adjectiveWord forms:nucleusSynonyms:atomicIn a sentence:The threat of nuclear war terrified people across the world during the 1960s. partition• the political division of a nation into two or more separate nationsPart of speech:nounWord forms:partitionsSynonyms:division, separationIn a sentence:The partition of Germany during the Cold War was physically represented by the Berlin Wall, which was constructed in 1961.
UNIT 8 VOCABULARYWORLD HISTORY PROJECT 17504protest• a gesture or formal action by a person or especially a group as a public display of objection or dissentPart of speech:nounWord forms:protestsSynonyms:demonstration, rally, walkoutIn a sentence:A citizens group mounted a protest against the establishment of a nuclear power plant in the area.redistribute• to distribute (spread over an area) again, often in different ways or amountsPart of speech:verbWord forms:redistributes, redistributing, redistributedSynonyms:mix upIn a sentence:The new government will try to redistribute the wealth by taxing the wealthy to help the middle and lower classes.sphere of influence• a country or region that another country has informal power over but no formal authorityPart of speech:nounWord forms:spheres of influenceSynonyms:territoryIn a sentence:China spread its sphere of influence to include many Southeast Asian countries.superpower• a country with great international power and influence, especially one that dominates the affairs of other countriesPart of speech:nounWord forms:superpowersSynonyms:In a sentence:The global superpowers during the Cold War included the US and the USSR.union• an organization of laborersPart of speech:nounWord forms:unions, labor unionSynonyms:labor union, trade union, guildIn a sentence:The union organized to demand higher wages and safer working conditions for their members.