326 i Glossary
vassal In medieval Europe, a person who pledged
military or other service to a lord in exchange for
a gift of land or other privilege.
Vedas The oral hymns to the Aryan deities, later
written down, that formed the basis of the Hindu
beliefs during the Vedic Age (1500–500 b.c.e.).
viceroyalty A political unit ruled by a viceroy that
was the basis of organization of the Spanish
colonies.
Wahhabi rebellion An early nineteenth-century
attempt to restore Ottoman power through a
return to traditional Islam and strict shariah law.
Wa rsaw Pact The 1955 agreement between the
Soviet Union and the countries of eastern Europe
in response to NATO.
welfare state A nation in which the government
plays an active role in providing services such as
social security to its citizens.
World Bank An agency of the United Nations that
offers loans to countries to promote trade and
economic development.
World Trade Organization (WTO) An interna-
tional organization begun in 1995 to promote and
organize world trade.
xenophobia An intense fear of foreigners.
Yahweh Jehovah, the god of the Jews.
Yalta Conference A meeting of the leaders of the
Soviet Union, Great Britain, and the United
States in 1945; the Soviet Union agreed to enter
the war against Japan in exchange for infl uence
in the Eastern European states. The Yalta Con-
ference also made plans for the establishment of a
new international organization.
yin and yangIn ancient Chinese belief, the oppos-
ing forces that bring balance to nature and life.
Young Turks Society founded in 1889 in the Otto-
man Empire; its goal was to restore the constitu-
tion of 1876 and to reform the empire.
zaibatsu A large industrial organization created
in Japan during the industrialization of the late
nineteenth century.
ziggurat A multitiered pyramid constructed by
Mesopotamians.
Zoroastrianism An ancient Persian religion that
emphasized a struggle between good and evil and
rewards in the afterlife for those who chose to
follow a good life.