The Meiji era lasted from 1868-1912 and was the era that led to the development of Japan as a modern world power, this set the stage for their involvement in World War I and II. The Tokugwa government was the final feudal government that ruled Japan; it lasted from 1603-1868 (the beginning of the Meiji Era). The Heian period is considered part of classical Japanese history; it lasted from 794-1185. The Showa period lasted from 1926-1989. The Kofun period lasted from 250-538.

The Berlin Conference divided Africa amongst the European powers for economic gain and paid no attention to the pre-existing social structures. This is believed to be the cause of many of the continent's problems that persist today. 

'Manifest Destiny' was a driving force behind American westward expansion during the nineteenth century. Developed early in the century, ideology established that the duty, and ultimate goal of American expansion was to build a country spanning the land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

During the Meiji restoration, Japan was able to successfully modernize and adapt in the face of encroaching European colonialism, eventually building its own empire. Unlike the other states listed, the Japanese process of post-1868 modernization was maintained through the mid 20th century, continuing, in various forms, to the present day, with Japan being a leading figure in many technology-related fields (especially robotics).

The Proclamation of 1763 declared it illegal for colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This caused much tension because the colonists saw this land as theirs now that they had won it from the French. The British crown, however, wanted to keep the land for the Native Americans so as to give the displaced East Coast tribes a new home and dissuade them from engaging in conflict with the colonists over land.

The Sugar Act was the first of many acts by Parliament meant to recoup the money the British had spent defending the colonies during the Seven Years War. This one placed a tax on sugar and molasses, two frequently used goods in the colonies.

The Stamp Act was another tax placed on the colonies of the British Empire. In order for a document to be stamped by a notary and made official, a tax had to be paid to the crown.

The Tea Act was meant to aide the failing East India Trading Company, which had massive overstocks of tea and other goods in London. Parliament therefore banned the sale of these goods from any other source. While this actually drove down the price of these goods in the colonies, the colonists resented the British attempting to regulate their economy in this way.

The Intolerable Acts were a series of acts of Parliament that were meant to bring the unruly colonies back in line. The colonies were very rapidly pushing back against British rule and ignoring British authority, and therefore the Parliament felt it needed to declare martial law in order to restore order.

The Boston Tea Party was organized as a response to the Tea Act. The Sons of Liberty meant it as a protest against the British attempt to control the economy of the Colonists by banning them from buying goods from nations other than Britain.