Key Words - History of Globalization
Vocabulary
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Meaning
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Example
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colonialism
(noun) |
the policy or practice of acquiring political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically
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Colonialism was a feature of European politics in the 19th century.
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cradle
(noun) |
a place, process, or event in which something originates or flourishes
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Ancient Greece is often thought of as the cradle of Western Civilization.
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empire
(noun) |
a group of states or countries under a single supreme authority (the Emperor)
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The Roman Empire is still studied in European schools today.
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expanse
(noun) |
an area of something, typically land or sea, presenting a wide continuous surface
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The first settlers found huge expanses of empty land.
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infrastructure
(noun) |
the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
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Much of Britain's infrastructure was built by the Victorians, over 150 years ago.
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pioneer
(verb) |
develop or be the first to use a new method, area of knowledge, or activity
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Henry Ford pioneered new production methods which became the assembly line system.
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sack
(verb) |
plunder and destroy a captured town, city, building, or other place (mostly used in historical contexts)
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The city of Rome was sacked several times in its long history.
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specialize
(verb) |
concentrate on and become expert in a particular subject or skill / confine oneself to providing a particular product or service
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Intel specialize in producing computer processors.
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surplus
(noun) |
an amount of something left over when requirements have been met / an excess of production or supply over demand
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China has a very large trade surplus, which means it exports its goods all around the world.
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territory
(noun) |
an area of land under the control of a ruler or state
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The Vikings were always looking to expand their territory through war.
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toil
(verb) |
work extremely hard
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The farmers toiled on their land but the rains didn't come.
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