Sources & Definitions

A period of European history from the 15th to the 18th century defined by a large amount of overseas exploration

The process by which an individual’s or group’s language and culture come to resemble another group, often a more dominant or colonizing group

Self governing; independent

Defined citizenship to include then and former slaves, and gave all citizens equal protection under the law

A political and religious belief that a person can rule directly from the will of God, and is “above the law”

The deliberate large-scale killing of people from a particular ethnic, national, racial or religious group

Extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force

People native to a land, in the U.S. the Indigenous Peoples are often referred to as American Indians or Native Americans

Advocating for certain changes in government by working directly with officials

Type of written order issued by a Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is named after the seal (called a bulla) placed at the end of the document used to authenticate it.

Self-governing regions that can administer their own public assets

The ability and authority to self-govern without interference

A constitutional amendment created to make sure citizenship rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 would not be easily overturned in the future