Growth of Western Democracies 1815-1915

The movement which sought to end slavery. Abolition movement. The abolition movement was a campaign to end the practice of slavery and free all enslaved people.

A person who rents out a property, but does not live within its region. Absentee landlord. In history, an absentee landlord often refers to landowners, especially in places like Ireland, who lived far away and rarely visited the properties they owned.

A British politician who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Benjamin Disraeli. Disraeli was a key figure in Victorian politics, known for expanding the British Empire and modernizing the Conservative Party.

A practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. Capital offense. In history, a capital offense is a crime considered so severe that it is punishable by death.

A pact among individuals or groups, where the members work together to achieve a common goal. coalition. In History, a coalition is when countries or groups join forces to achieve shared objectives, like during World War II when Allies united against the Axis powers.

A political scandal that divided the Third French Republic. Dreyfus affair. The Dreyfus affair was a major political crisis in France where an innocent Jewish army officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was wrongfully convicted of treason.

The people who are eligible to vote in an election. Electorate. In History, the electorate refers to all the people in a country or area who have the right to vote in elections.

An expansion of territory, power, wealth or influence. Expansionism. Historically, expansionism is when a country tries to grow its land or power by taking over more territory.

A trade policy that does not restrict imports or exports. Free trade. In history, free trade refers to international trade left to its natural course without tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.

A government of a colony, dependent country or region by its own citizens. Home rule. In history, home rule refers to the situation where a region or colony gains the authority to govern itself rather than being controlled by a foreign power.

A malicious, false statement in written media or otherwise published words. Libel. In history, libel has been used to unjustly damage a person's reputation through false and harmful written accusations.

The acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from France in 1803. Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was when the U.S. bought a large area of land from France, doubling its size.

A belief in the 19th century US that its settlers were destined to expand across North America. Manifest Destiny. It was the idea that Americans were meant to spread across the continent.

The first president of France and the last French monarch. Napoleon III. Napoleon III was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and became the first president of France before declaring himself emperor.

A type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people. Parliamentary democracy. In history, parliamentary democracy is a system where the government is elected by and accountable to a parliament or legislature.

A settlement used to hold prisoners and use them for working in a remote location. Penal colony. A penal colony is a place where prisoners were sent to live and work, often in distant or isolated areas, as a form of punishment.

A title for the head of government. Premier. In history, a premier is the leader of the government, similar to a prime minister, in various countries.

A government set up in an emergency when a political void has been created by the collapse of a government. Provisional. It is a temporary government established until a permanent one is formed.

The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was the long-reigning monarch during the 19th century, overseeing a period of great industrial, cultural, and political change known as the Victorian Era.

The removal or reversal of a law. Repeal. In history, repeal refers to the process of officially canceling or revoking a law, such as when Prohibition was ended in the United States.

A type of parliamentary borough in the UK. Rotten borough. A rotten borough was an electoral district that had very few voters but still had representation in Parliament, allowing wealthy individuals to control seats.

When part of one country breaks away or leaves that country to start a new country. Secede. In history, to secede means a region or group separates to form its own independent nation, like when the Southern states tried to leave the United States during the Civil War.

A voting method in which a voter's choices in an election are anonymous. Secret ballot. The secret ballot is a system introduced in the 19th century to ensure that voters can make their choices privately, without fear of intimidation or bribery.

Separation of people into racial or other ethnic groups in daily life. Segregation. Segregation is when laws or practices keep people of different races apart, like in schools or public places, which was common in the United States and South Africa in the past.

An artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea constructed 1869. Suez Canal. The Suez Canal is a man-made channel that allows ships to travel between Europe and Asia without going around Africa.

A Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Chancellor of the Exchequer. William Gladstone. William Gladstone was a prominent 19th-century British politician known for his liberal reforms and serving as Prime Minister four times.

The nationalist movement to create a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. Zionism. Zionism is a historical movement that aimed to establish and support a Jewish homeland in what is now Israel.