Galilei, Galileo (1564-1642) Italian astronomer. One of the founders of Europe's scientific revolution, one of his main contributions is the application of the telescope to astronomy. He was able to prove Copernicus heliocentric model correct.

Galileo Italian astronomer and mathematician who was the first to use a telescope to study the stars; demonstrated that different weights descend at the same rate; perfected the refracting telescope that enabled him to make many discoveries , and proved that Copernicus' theory to be correct.

Gandhi, Mohandas (1869-1948) Nationalist leader in India, who called for a non violent revolution to gain his countrys freedom from the British Empire.

Ganges River Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals.

Garibaldi, Guiseppe (1807-1882?) Military leader whose Red Shirt army liberated most of southern Italy, before conquering the northern section. He was instrumental in the unification of Italy.

Gautama, Siddhartha (563?-483?BCE), Indian philosopher and the founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste, and by all account led a luxurious lifestyle. However, he was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him everyday. Upon reflection, he deduced that desire was the root caused of all suffering. Also known as the Buddha.

general will Name Enlightenment thinker Jean Jacques Rousseau uses to describe majority rule.

genetic engineering The process of altering life forms by manipulating their genetic structure.

Genghis Khan (1167?-1227) One of the Mongols greatest leaders and founder of the Mongol Empire.

genocide The killing of all the people from a ethnic group, religious group, or people from a specific nation.

gentry Members of the upper class in some social class systems.

geocentric model Theory of the universe that states the earth is the center, and that the sun revolves around it.

Ghana One of the west African Trading Kingdoms. They were rich in gold and established a vast trading network across the Sahara desert.

ghetto Term given to poor areas of town where Jews were sent during World War II.

Glasnost A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which called for more openness with the nations of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry.

Global North Economic and political designation given to industrialized countries such those in North America and Western Europe, and also including Japan, and Australia. These nations have high standards of living and a high literacy rate.

Global South Economic and Political designation given to developing nations in Asia, Africa, and South America, many of which were former colonies during European Imperialism. These post colonial nations face low literacy rates, massive unemployment, little to no industrialization, and are generally economically dependent on their former colonial masters.

Glorious Revolution Political revolution in Great Britain in 1688 that put William and Mary on the throne, while limiting the power of the monarchy and making Parliament supreme. This event marks the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in England.

Gold Coast Name given to the parts of the west coast of Africa by European imperialist due to the amount of gold found in the region.

Golden Age The first age of the world, an untroubled and prosperous era during which people lived in ideal happiness.

Gorbachev, Mikhail (1931- ), leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His policies of Perestroika and Glasnost, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of communism.

government The office, function, or authority of a governing individual or body.

Great Depression (1929-1939) The dramatic decline in the worlds economy due to the United States stock market crash of 1929, the overproduction of goods from World War I, and decline in the need for raw materials from non industrialized nations. Results in millions of people losing their jobs as banks and businesses closed around the world. Many people were reduced to homelessness, and had to rely on government sponsored soup kitchens to eat. World trade also declined as many countries imposed protective tariffs in an attempt to restore their economies.

Great Leap Forward The economic program designed to increase farm and industrial output though the creation of communes. Communes are similar to Soviet collectives in that groups of people live and work together on government owned farms and in government owned industry.

Great Purge The widespread arrests and executions of over a million people by Josef Stalin between 1936 and 1938. Stalin was attempting to eliminate all opposition to his rule of the Soviet Union.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere A imperialistic system founded by Japan consisting of other Asian countries during the early 20th century. Japan reduced its members to puppet nations, taking their raw materials and using them as new markets.

Greco-Roman The cultural mixing of both ancient Greek and Roman traditions.

Greek column Fluted column used in many of their buildings, and copied throughout the world today.

Green Revolution Throughout the 20th century, scientists worked on improving agriculture, especially in areas with high populations. Some of the technologies developed included better irrigation systems so farmers could get water to their crops. New machinery was built to handle larger production and to take the burden of agriculture work off of humans. New chemical fertilizers and pesticides were created to increase food production, and new varieties of grains and livestock were developed also for greater production. The Green Revolution has had only limited success. The high costs associated with many of these new technologies have kept the small farmer from taking advantage of them.

greenhouse gas A gas such as carbon dioxide, ozone, or water vapor that are a factoring the warming of the Earths atmosphere.

Guevara, Che (1928-1967) Latin American guerilla leader. In the mid 20th century Guevara was instrumental in helping Fidel Castro lead the Cuban Revolution. He was later killed in Bolivia while trying to lead a revolution there.

guild An association of merchants or craftspeople in medieval Europe, formed to make regulations and set standards for a particular trade or craft.

gunpowder Chemical compound that burns very quickly. Used in weaponry.

Gupta Dynasty (320-550 C.E.)Ruling family in India during its golden age. Responsible for many achievements.

Gutenberg, Johannes (1400?-1468) German printer and European pioneer in the use of movable type.