5.8 vocab

Karl Marx

1818-1883. 19th century philosopher, political economist, sociologist, humanist, political theorist, and revolutionary. Often recognized as the father of communism. Analysis of history led to his belief that communism would replace capitalism as it replaced feudalism. Believed in a classless society.

Hundred Days of Reform

A series of Western-style reforms launched in 1898 by the Chinese government in an attempt to meet the foreign challenge.

Communist Manifesto

A socialist manifesto written by Marx and Engels (1848) describing the history of the working-class movement according to their views.

Communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

labor unions

An organization formed by workers to strive for better wages and working conditions

genros

Any of a group of elder male politicians of Japan who were formerly advisers to the emperor.

Millets

Areas of town where individual religious groups could live and practice their religions.

John Stuart Mill

Arguably the most famous English philosopher and politician of the 1800s. Champion of liberty over unlimited state control. Also famous for adding falsification as a key component of the scientific method.

Emperor Guangxu

Emperor of China who supported the Confucian scholar Kang Youwei and began a reform program patterned after reforms in Japan. The reform was short-lived because his aunt, Empress Cixi, opposed it, and is called the One Hundred Days of reform.

Empress Dowager Cixi

Empress of China and mother of Emperor Guangxi. She put her son under house arrest, supported anti-foreign movements like the so-called Boxers, and resisted reforms of the Chinese government and armed forces.

Fredrich Engels

Marx's partner in writing the Communist Manifesto

Proletariat

Marx's term for the exploited class, the mass of workers who do not own the means of production

Mahmud II

Ottoman sultan; built a private, professional army; fomented revolution of Janissaries and crushed them with private army; destroyed power of Janissaries and their religious allies; initiated reform of Ottoman Empire on Western precedents

bushido

The Feudal Japanese code of honor among the warrior class.

Hatti-i Humayun

This reform decree was promulgated in 1856 at the close of the Crimean War. Under the influence of Britain and France, it spelled out the rights of non-Muslims more explicitly, giving them equal obligations with Muslims for military service and equal opportunity for state employment and admission to state schools. It also abolished torture and allowed foreigners to acquire some forms of property.

Tranzimat

a series of changes to the ottoman government under Mahmud II

utilitarianism

idea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

Self-Strengthening Movement

late 19th century movement in China to counter the challenge from the West; led by provincial leaders

bourgeoisie

the middle class, including merchants, industrialists, and professional people