Glossary


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R

Rabbi

Jewish holy men charged with conducting religious services, ensuring that Jewish laws are observed, and serving as a spiritual guide for the community.

Racism

Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Muslim calendar. All Muslims must fast during daylight hours, except the very young or sick.

Ramayana

Hindu epic story about the hero Rama who was the incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Rasputin, Grigory

(1872-1916) Russian peasant and self-proclaimed holy man. He was friends with the ruling Romanov family, and sometime advisor to Czarina Alexandra. His advice was on of the factors leading to the Russian Revolution.

raw materials

Various materials found in nature used in manufacturing such as wood, coal, and oil.

recant

To reject a belief or withdraw something previously said.

Reconquista

The re-conquest of Spain by the Christians after centuries of Islamic domination.

Red Guard

Militaristic group of students in China who brutalized anyone who criticized Mao’s government.

Red Shirts

Nationalistic group/army created and led by Guiseppe Garibaldi to end foreign control of Italy during the 19th century.

Reformation

The protest against perceived wrong doings by the Catholic Church during the early 16th century. Main leaders were Martin Luther and John Calvin.

reincarnation

The rebirth of a soul into another body.

relay runners

The passing of information through a series of runners.

religion

Belief in a reverence for a supernatural power or powers reguarded as creator and governor of the universe

Renaissance

A rebirth of cultural and intellectual pursuits after the stagnation of the Middle Ages. This period in European history, from about the 14th through 16th centuries, features major cultural and artistic change.

Rennisance Era

The humanistic revival of classical art, architecture, literature, and learning that originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread throughout Europe.

reparations

Monetary compensation to correct something that was done wrong.

representative democracy

A system of government where the legislative, judicial, and executive powers are held by directly or indirectly elected officials.

republic

A political system in which a country is ruled by law, has representative government, and is democratic in nature.

resources

An asset that is beneficial to a country or people.

reverence

The respect or devotion that others show someone or something

revolution

a dramatic change in ideas, practice, or government.

Rhodes, Cecil

(1853-1902) British statesman who was instrumental in assuring British dominance of southern Africa. He founded the De Beers Mining Company, eventually controlling 90% of the world’s diamond production. After becoming prime minister of the Cape Colony (now South Africa) in 1890, he used his influence to strengthen British control over the region. His master plan was to establish a Cape to Cairo railroad line that would link British colonial interests in Africa between Egypt and the Cape Colony in southern Africa. The Boers, however, provided heavy and eventually armed resistance to this proposal. After authorizing an aggressive invasion of the Boer Republic of Transvall which ended poorly, Rhodes was removed from office. However, the seeds of the Boer War had been sown.

rigid social class system

A social class system where there is no mobility. A person remains in the same class their entire life.

river

A moving body of water that usually has its source in an area of high ground.

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