Glossary


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NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement, an economic treaty between Canada, the United States, and Mexico to lower tariffs and create a free trade environment. NAFTA was ratified by its member nations in 1994.

Nagasaki

Japanese city devastated during World War II when the United States dropped the second atomic bomb on Aug 8th, 1945.

NASA / National Aeronautical and Space Administration

American space agency responsible for administrating the United State’s space program.

Nasser, Gamal Abdel

(1918-1970) President of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. He was responsible for nationalizing the Suez Canal, and was an important leader to the Arab world. He was often at odds with the West and Israel.

nation-state

An independent state or country.

National Assembly

First new government during the first stage of the French Revolution.

nationalism

Pride in one’s country or culture, often excessive in nature.

Native Americans & Slaves

In colonial Latin America, lowest social class. They had no rights and were often treated poorly and used as a labor source by the plantation owning Creoles.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an international defense alliance between the United States, Great Britain, and others formed in 1949 as a response to the spread of communism.

Natural resources

Resources that are supplied by nature. Nations often use these to increase their economic output, usually with little regard to environmental factors. A growing environmentalist movement is beginning to apply pressure to these governments by forcing a public officilals to discuss these issues.

natural rights

Concept of John Locke’s that states all people have the right to life, liberty, and property.

navigable rivers

A river that is able to be navigated by boat.

Nazi

Name of German National Socialist Party, which gained control of Germany in 1933 under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

Nehru, Jawaharlal

(1889-1964) Indian nationalist leader and the first prime minister of independent India from 1947 to 1964. Along with Mohandas Gandhi, he was instrumental in freeing India from Britain’s control.

Neolithic Age

(10,000 BCE - 5000 BCE) New Stone Age. A period of time in human history characterized by the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Neolithic Revolution

The introduction of agriculture, domesticating animals, this leads to the development of human civilazation.

New Economic Policy

An economic policy of Vladimir Lenin’s in the Soviet Union where government controlled most banks and industry, but did allow some private ownership.

New Imperialism

A policy of economic, political, and social of one country by another. Industrialized countries sought control of other countries for raw materials and new markets.

New Kingdom

(1550 BCE - 1100 BCE) Period in ancient Egyptian history characterized by strong pharaohs who conquered an empire that stretched from Nubia in the south, to the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia.

New Testament

The second half of the Christian Bible. It describes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as other Christian teachings.

Newcomen, Thomas

(1663-1729) Developed a steam engine powered by coal.

Newton, Isaac

(1642-1727) English scientist who discovered gravitation, invented calculus, and formulated the laws of motion.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli Niccolò Machiavelli (May 3, 1469—June 21, 1527) was an Italian political philosopher during the Renaissance. As a civil servant in Florence, Machiavelli became the key figure in realistic political theory, crucial to later studies in political science. His most famous book, Il Principe (The Prince), was a work intended to be an instruction book for rulers. Published after his death, the book advocated the theory that whatever was expedient was necessary—an early example of utilitarianism and realpolitik. Machiavelli's theories were elaborated in the 20th century. Machiavelli was also the author of many "Discourses" on political life in the Roman Republic, Florence, and other states, in which he demonstrated mastery of other views. However, the adjective "Machiavellian" is seen by most experts to inaccurately represent him and his views, having come to describe narrow, self-interested behavior pursued by interest groups. Along with Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli is considered the ideal prototype of the Renaissance man. While this epithet may be more appropriate than describing Machiavelli as "Machiavellian," it may be fair to state that he possessed a "machiavellian intelligence."

Nirvana

In Buddhism, spiritual enlightenment.

Nkrumah, Kwame

(1909-1972) Independence leader who help lead Ghana out of European imperialism after World War II.

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