Age of Revolution Key Terms

Nationalism

• The belief that all nations should be governed by a single global authority.

• The idea that citizens of a country are part of something bigger than themselves and that they are loyal to a set of national ideals and practices.

• A movement advocating for the independence of all nations from colonial rule.

• The practice of prioritizing international cooperation over national interests.

Subject

• a person who owes allegiance (loyalty) to a monarch or to a state

• a person who leads a rebellion against the government

• a person who is a citizen of a country

• a person who is a foreign diplomat

Aristocracy

• A system of government by the wealthy

• The people in the highest social class, who traditionally have a lot of land, money, and power

• A form of democracy where citizens vote directly on laws

• A social class characterized by its lack of wealth and influence

Right

• that which is due to a person naturally or legally

• a privilege granted by a governing body

• a moral or legal entitlement

• an opinion held by an individual

Liberalism

• relating to democratic forms of government rather than monarchies or aristocracies; (in a political context) relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise (business)

• a political ideology that emphasizes the importance of tradition and social stability

• a system of government where power is concentrated in a single ruler or a small group

• a philosophy that advocates for the abolition of all forms of government

Socialism

• A political and economic theory advocating community ownership of production and distribution.

• A system where all property is privately owned and operated for profit.

• A form of government where the military controls the economy.

• An economic theory that promotes free markets and minimal government intervention.

Nation-State

• a political unit where the state and nation are congruent in harmony.

• a type of government that is ruled by a monarchy.

• a territory governed by multiple nations without a central authority.

• a community that shares a common language but not necessarily a culture.

Sovereignty

• the power of self-government, with independence from outside control; autonomy

• the ability to influence others without authority

• the process of making laws and regulations

• the act of governing a territory without external interference

Revolution

• a gradual change in societal norms and values

• a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving; a political upheaval in a government or nation state characterized by great change.

• a minor adjustment in policies and procedures

• a temporary shift in leadership without significant change

Empire

• a political unit with multiple rulers

• a single political unit, with one supreme ruler, composed of an aggregate of nations or peoples

• a collection of independent states

• a temporary alliance of nations