Samurai

Class of warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble in return for land.

Merchant

a person who bought and sold goods for profit. The merchant class was a social and economic group of people who engaged in trade and commerce

Isolationism

avoiding involvement in world affairs

Edict of 1635

Japanese decree intended to eliminate foreign influence, enforced by strict government rules and regulations to impose these ideas

Hostage System

required that either the daimyo or his family (including the very important heir) always be physically subject to the whim of the overlord.

Qing Dynasty

a strong centralized government led by an absolute monarch; restricted access of foreign traders to Chinese markets, particularly by limiting them to specified ports.; was the last of the imperial dynasties of China, spanning from 1644 to 1911/12.

Ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.

Tribute system (China)

An arrangement in which other states had to pay money or provide goods to honor or often kowtow (bow) to the Chinese system.

Canton System

a trading system that regulated trade between China and foreign merchants from the 17th to the 19th century. The system focused all foreign trade on the southern port of Canton

Macartney Mission

British diplomatic mission to China that took place from 1792–1793. The mission's goals were to:

• Open more Chinese ports to British merchants
• Establish a British ambassador at the Qing court
• Improve trading conditions in Canton
• Showcase British wealth and achievements
• Negotiate a commercial and friendship treaty with the Qian long Emperor

Bourbon France

governed France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, creating an absolute monarchy that reached its height under Louis XIV and was overthrown during the reign of Louis XVI.

Louis XIV

(1638-1715) Known as the Sun King, he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of the palace at Versailles. He is famous for centralizing power in the monarchy and embodying the absolute monarch concept

Palace at Versaille

center of political power and the official royal residence of the French monarchy.

The palace is famous for its lavish architecture, ornate gardens, and the Hall of Mirrors. Versailles became a symbol of the absolute power and wealth of the French kings. The palace also played a role in the French Revolution, as the royal family was forced to leave Versailles and move to Paris in 1789.

Divine right

the belief that a monarch's authority to rule comes directly from God, rather than being granted by the people or based on any earthly laws. This concept was often used to justify absolute monarchy, as seen in the reign of Louis XIV of France, who famously declared, "I am the state."

Imperial Russia

was ruled by Czars from 1721, when Peter the Great founded the Russian Empire, until the monarchy fell during the Russian Revolution in 1917. The Czars had almost total control over the country, making all important decisions with little input from the people. This strict, oppressive system allowed no room for change, which eventually led to growing revolutionary ideas and movements that contributed to the fall of the monarchy.

Czar

ruler who had total power, like an emperor or dictator.

Peter the Great

czar of Russia who introduced ideas from western Europe to reform the government (westernization) and built up a massive Russian army.

Imperial

like an emperor or an empire, commanding or exercising supreme authority;

Westernization

adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture