/ e.miˈsi.klo ðe la roˈton.da / landmark / RE: COLONIALISM, ECUADOR, HISTORY, INDEPENDENCE, LATIN AMERICA, MONUMENTS The Hemiciclo de la Rotonda is a monument in Guayaquil, Ecuador, that celebrates unity and independence in Latin America. It honours two key historical figures: Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, both of whom led movements that helped free South American countries from Spanish colonial rule in the 1800s. The monument shows the two leaders shaking hands, marking their famous 1822 meeting in Guayaquil. That meeting symbolised a shared vision for independence across the continent, even though they came from different backgrounds and led separate armies. Located on the Malecón 2000, a popular riverfront walkway, the Hemiciclo is both a national landmark and a symbol of Latin American unity, pride, and anti-colonial history. It is visited by locals, tourists, and students as a reminder of Ecuador’s role in the broader fight for independence. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈbalət / terminology / RE: DEMOCRACY, POLITICS, UNITED STATES A ballot is the tool used by voters to make choices in an election. It can be a piece of paper, a digital form, or a machine interface—whatever format is used, the purpose is the same: to let people cast their vote privately and securely. Ballots list the candidates running for office and may also include questions like proposed laws or constitutional changes, known as ballot measures. People can usually vote early, by mail, or in person, depending on what works best for them. At its core, the ballot is what turns public opinion into real-world outcomes. It’s the foundation of democratic participation, allowing each person to have a say in who leads and how communities are governed. In a democracy, power is meant to come from the people - and ballots make this possible by giving everyone an equal voice. They ensure that voting is private, which protects individuals from pressure or intimidation, and they create a written or digital record that can be counted and verified, helping to maintain the integrity of the process.Whether you're voting for a mayor or deciding on a new public policy, the ballot is where individual choices come together to shape collective futures. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈneɡ.rɒs ˌɒk.sɪˈden.təl prəˈvɪn.ʃəl ˈkæp.ɪ.təl / institution / RE: GOVERNANCE, GOVERNMENT, HISTORY, PHILIPPINES, POLITICS The Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol is the main government building of the province of Negros Occidental, located in Bacolod City, Philippines. It serves as the official workplace for the governor and other provincial officials who manage public services, development plans, and local governance for the province. Built in the 1930s in a neoclassical architectural style, the building is known for its grand columns, wide lawn, and reflecting pool. It is considered one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the Philippines and was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2004. The capitol is a centre of local political life, where decisions are made about education, health, infrastructure, and disaster response in the province. It also hosts public events, ceremonies, and community programmes, making it both a political and cultural symbol of Negros Occidental. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈaɪ.zənˌhaʊ.ər ɪɡˈzek.jʊ.tɪv ˈɒ.fɪs / institution / RE: GOVERNANCE, HISTORY, UNITED STATES, WHITE HOUSE The Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) is a major U.S. government building located next to the White House in Washington, D.C. It houses many of the offices and staff who support the President of the United States, including parts of the National Security Council and the Office of the Vice President. Built in the late 1800s in a French-inspired architectural style, the building was originally used by the Departments of War, Navy, and State. It was renamed in honour of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and is now one of the key sites of day-to-day operations for the U.S. executive branch. Although not open to the public like the White House, the EEOB plays a crucial role in helping run the U.S. government, especially in areas like policy planning, communications, and international affairs. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈʃɜː(ɹ)li ˈtʃɪz.əm / figure / RE: CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, POLITICS, UNITED STATES, WOMEN Shirley Chisholm was a pioneering American politician and activist who rose to prominence during the civil rights movement. In 1968, at the height of social and political change in the United States, she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district. As a congresswoman, she focused on racial justice, gender equality, education, and poverty - issues deeply connected to the struggles of the civil rights era. In 1972, Chisholm made history again by running for President of the United States, becoming the first Black woman to seek the nomination from a major political party. Her campaign was bold, unapologetic, and ahead of its time. Though she didn’t win, her presence on the national stage challenged deeply rooted barriers in politics. Chisholm’s legacy is firmly tied to the civil rights and women’s movements - she fought not just to be seen, but to make space for others to follow. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˌfɒr.ən ˈpɒl.ə.si / terminology / RE: DIPLOMACY, GOVERNMENT, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Foreign policy is how a country manages its relationships with the rest of the world. It’s the plan a government follows when dealing with other countries - whether that’s through trade, diplomacy, defence, or responding to global issues like climate change or conflict. Foreign policy shapes who a country allies with, who it distances itself from, and how it handles things like immigration, international aid, or peacekeeping efforts. It’s constantly evolving, influenced by who’s in power, the country’s values and interests, and what’s happening globally. One government might focus on building strong international partnerships, while another might take a more isolated or aggressive approach. While it can sometimes feel distant, foreign policy affects everyday life—like the price of goods, access to travel, or how a country responds to international crises. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ bluː / movement / RE: GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, POLITICS Blue, in the context of politics, refers to left-leaning or liberal political parties—but the meaning depends on the country. In the United Kingdom, blue is associated with the Conservative Party, which supports centre-right policies such as free markets and limited government intervention. In the United States, however, blue represents the Democratic Party, which is considered centre-left. The Democratic Party typically supports policies like expanded social services, climate action, and stronger government involvement in healthcare and education. The use of blue and red to symbolise the two main U.S. parties became widely standard after the 2000 presidential election, largely due to media coverage. So, while blue can signal very different political leanings depending on where you are, it always points to a major player in national politics. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ əˈsaɪ.ləm ˌsiː.kər / terminology / RE: HUMAN RIGHTS, MIGRATION, SECURITY An asylum seeker is someone who has left their home country and is asking another country for protection because they fear persecution, conflict, or serious harm if they return. They are not yet officially recognised as a refugee and are waiting for a decision on their asylum application. During this waiting period, asylum seekers often face legal, social, and financial uncertainty. The outcome of their application will determine whether they are granted refugee status and allowed to stay, or whether they must return to their home country. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ kəˈləʊ.ni.ə.lɪ.zəm / terminology / RE: CIVIL LIBERTIES, HISTORY, POLITICS, SLAVERY Colonialism is the control and domination of one country or territory by another, usually more powerful, nation. It often involves settlers moving in, the extraction of natural resources, the takeover of land, and the imposition of foreign laws, languages, religions, and systems of governance. Colonial powers typically justified their actions by claiming to be “civilising” or “modernising” the territories they occupied, but in reality, colonialism was rooted in exploitation and control. From the 15th century onwards, European countries, including; Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal, built vast colonial empires across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean. These empires profited immensely, while colonised people were often subjected to violence, forced labour, displacement, and the erasure of their cultures and identities. Although many countries gained independence in the 20th century, the effects of colonialism—such as economic inequality, political instability, and cultural loss—are still felt today. Understanding colonialism is essential for unpacking global power dynamics, systemic racism, and the continued push for decolonisation and justice. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ slɛ́jv ʃɪ́p / terminology / RE: AFRICA, COLONIALISM, SLAVERY A slave ship was a vessel used to transport enslaved African people across the Atlantic Ocean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These ships were part of a brutal system that forcibly moved millions of Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries. The conditions on board were horrific—people were packed tightly below deck, often chained, with little air, food, or water. Disease and abuse were widespread, and many did not survive the journey. Slave ships were designed for profit, not humanity. The goal was to transport as many people as possible, regardless of the suffering involved. They became symbols of the violence, exploitation, and dehumanisation at the heart of the slave trade. Today, the memory of slave ships serves as a powerful reminder of the cruelty of slavery and the need to confront its lasting impact. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˌtræn.zætˈlæn.t̬ɪk ˈsleɪv ˌtreɪd / history / RE: AFRICA, HUMAN RIGHTS, SLAVERY, SOCIETY The Transatlantic Slave Trade was the forced movement of millions of African people across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries. European powers—including Britain, Portugal, France, Spain, and the Netherlands—captured or purchased African men, women, and children, then transported them in brutal conditions to work as slaves, mainly on plantations in the Caribbean, North America, and South America. This trade formed one part of a system known as the triangular trade: European goods were shipped to Africa, enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas, and goods like sugar, cotton, and tobacco were then sent back to Europe. The Transatlantic Slave Trade was driven by profit and sustained by violence, with devastating effects on African societies and generations of descendants. Its legacy continues to shape global inequalities, systemic racism, and calls for justice, remembrance, and reparations. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ dɪsˈpleɪsm(ə)nt / terminology / RE: HUMAN RIGHTS, MIGRATION, SECURITY Displacement refers to the forced movement of people from their homes, often due to conflict, violence, persecution, natural disasters, or environmental changes. It can happen within a country’s borders (internal displacement) or across borders (international displacement). People who are displaced often leave behind their homes, communities, and livelihoods with little or no warning. Displacement can be temporary or long-term, and those affected may face challenges accessing basic needs like shelter, healthcare, and legal protection—especially when they are not formally recognised as refugees. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈrəʊ.zə pɑːks / figure / RE: CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS, POLITICS, PROTEST Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist best known for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. Her quiet but powerful act of resistance led to her arrest—and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a landmark protest that lasted over a year and helped launch the wider civil rights movement in the United States. Often called “the mother of the civil rights movement,”  Parks became a global symbol of courage, dignity, and the power of standing up to injustice. But her activism didn’t stop with that one moment—she spent much of her life fighting for racial equality, voter rights, and social justice. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ sʌfrəˈdʒɛt / movement / RE: CIVIL LIBERTIES, GENDER EQUALITY, HISTORY, WOMEN A suffragette was a woman who campaigned for the right to vote, often using bold and confrontational tactics to demand change. The term became popular in the early 1900s, especially in the UK, where it was used to describe members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), led by Emmeline Pankhurst. Unlike more moderate campaigners, suffragettes believed in “deeds, not words” - taking direct action to challenge a system that refused to hear them. Being a suffragette often meant facing arrest, violence, and public criticism. Many went on hunger strikes in prison, risking their health for a cause they believed in. Though controversial at the time, their efforts helped bring attention to the injustice of denying women the vote. Today, the word "suffragette" symbolises courage, resistance, and the long fight for gender equality. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ ˈbæl.ət ˌmeʒ.ər / terminology / RE: ADVOCACY, POLITICS, UNITED STATES A ballot measure is a proposed law, policy, or amendment that voters decide on directly in an election. Instead of being passed by elected officials, these measures are placed on the ballot for public approval or rejection. They can be introduced by lawmakers or by citizens who collect enough signatures through a petition process. Ballot measures are often used to decide on issues like taxes, healthcare, education funding, and voting laws. There are different types of ballot measures, including initiatives, where citizens propose new laws, and referendums, where voters approve or reject laws passed by the government. Once a measure is on the ballot, campaigns form to educate voters and influence public opinion. These measures can have significant and lasting impacts, making them a powerful tool for shaping public policy outside of traditional legislative processes. | Back to the Encyclopedia

/ əˈlaɪ.əns / terminology / RE: DEFENCE, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLITICS, SECURITY An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more countries to support each other. This support can be military, political, economic, or all of the above. Countries form alliances to protect shared interests, strengthen their position in the world, or work together on common goals like security, trade, or climate action. Some alliances are long-term and built on trust, while others are more strategic or temporary. Think of it like a partnership—each side brings something to the table, and in return, they expect loyalty or cooperation. Famous examples include NATO or the United Nations, but alliances also happen on a smaller scale, between neighbouring countries or specific regions. | Back to the Encyclopedia