is for Aristocracy

In an aristocracy, nobles rule over the government. An aristocracy is ruled by a traditional elite, to be made up of the 'best people'; and power is usually passed down by heredity. The aristocrats make up a very small portion of society.

is for the Big Four

The Big Four consisted of Woodrow Wilson (US), David Lloyd George (Great Britain), Georges Clemenceau (France), and Vittorio Orlando (Italy). The Big Four met at the Paris Peace Conference to come to a conclusion of peace after World War I; the nations had different ideas on how to settle the peace.

is for the Caste System

The social hierarchy system in India that was first determined by varna (the color of one's skin). The system starts with the priests and learned class, then the warrior and ruling class, followed by the merchant and artisan class, and next the peasant and serf class. At the lowest rung of society were the untouchables. The caste system is not as heavy of an influence today, but its affects are still present.

is for Democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which all 'citizens' (however defined) have equal political and legal rights, privileges, and protections, as in the Greek city-state of Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C.E. In a direct democracy, citizens could directly vote on laws in a large assembly. In a representative democracy (like the US), citizens elect leaders to represent them and vote on laws.

is for Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement in Europe during the 18th century that focused on applying reason to discover natural law, thus making infinite progress. Philosophers explored social, political, and economic theories during the Enlightenment, and worked to apply these principles to governments and to society.

is for the Five Year Plan

The Five Year Plan was a series of reforms enlisted by Joseph Stalin in an attempt to transform the USSR into an industrial power; beginning in 1928. They set goals for the output of steel, electricity, machinery, and most other products, and were enforced by the police powers of the state. The plan also included collectivized agriculture, which ultimately failed leading to a famine that killed millions.

is for the Green Revolution

The Green Revolution emerged as a possible solution to long term world hunger in the mid-twentieth century. Scientists developed new varieties of wheat, rice, and other grains that had greater resistance to pest, disease, and drought. At first new varieties were produced by crossbreeding, and now scientists use genetic engineering.

is for Hammurabi

Hammurabi was Babylonia's most powerful king. He conquered all of Mesopotamia and ruled for about 40 years; until about 1750 B.C.E. . Hammurabi is famous for the Code of Hammurabi, which was the first written set of laws recorded. His law system was based of the idea "an eye for an eye," and meant to protect people's rights.

is for the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial evolution was the transformation of the economy, the environment, and living conditions, occurring first in England in the eighteenth century, that resulted from the use of steam engines, the mechanization of manufacturing in factories, transit, and communications. The Industrial Revolution led to less people working from home and the migration of people from rural to urban areas.

is for Joint-Stock Company

A joint-stock company is a business, often backed by a government charter, that sold shares to individuals to raise money for its trading enterprises and to spread the risks (and profits) among many investors. Joint-Stock companies aided in the rise of an extended global economy.

is for the Korean War

The Korean War was fought to prevent Communist North Korea from taking taking over the government of South Korea. The war involved the United Nations (primarily the United States) allying with South Korea and the People's Republic of China allying with North Korea. The war ended in a stalemate, with the two countries remaining separated at the 38th parallel.

is for Liberalism

Liberalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property. This ideology, derived from the Enlightenment, and was especially popular among the property-owning middle classes. Liberalism also believed in laissez-faire economics and less spending on standing armies and established churches.

is for the Mandate of Heaven

The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese religious political ideology that leaders used to justify their rule starting in the Zhou dynasty. The mandate of heaven said that rulers had the blessing of the gods to lead. The mandate of heaven was also used to justify the overthrowing of a ruler.

is for Neolithic Revolution

The Neolithic Revolution was a set of dramatic changes in the way people lived based on the development of agriculture (a.k.a the agricultural revolution). The neolithic revolution did not happen quickly, or occur everywhere at the same time, however it occurred gradually at different times. Major things that happened were agriculture, the specialization of labor, towns and cities, and governments forming.

is for Oligarchy

An Oligarchy is a system of government were a few wealthy landowners and merchants ruled. Only a small group of these individuals got to make decisions for everyone. The oligarchy of Greek-City states focused on military, used slaves for labor, and discouraged the arts.

is for Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a ship canal cut across the isthmus of Panama by United States Army engineers; it opened in 1915. It greatly shortened the sea voyage between the east and west coasts of North America. The United States turned the canal over to Panama on Jan 1, 2000.