Volstead Act. 1919-33. Enforced US Prohibition.

Voting Rights Act. 1965. US eliminates tests that disqualified black voters.

Warren, Earl. 1891-1974. US Chief Justice 1953-69. Decisions on segregation, accused rights. Led inquiry into John F. Kennedy assassination. Concluded Oswald acted alone.

Warsaw Pact. 1955-91. USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, E Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania. Treaty for the combined defence of Eastern Europe under Soviet supreme command.

Westinghouse, George. 1846-1914. US inventor/manufacturer. AC electricity distribution 1885.

Westmeath Act. 1871. Declared Ribbonism illegal. Whiteboys.

Westminster Conference. 1866-7. Planned independence of Canada under British North America Act.

Westminster, Provisions of. 1259. Reenacted as Marlborough Statute 1267. Forced on Henry III by barons, limiting power. Barons War.

Whistler, James. 1834-1903. US painter. Use of light and color influenced abstract art. Arrangement in Black and Grey, No 1 (Whistler’s Mother) 1871.

White, Patrick. 1912-90. Australian novelist, activist. The Aunt’s Story 1948.

World War II. 1939-45. Allies-Britain, France, US(1941-), Russia(1941-) vs Axis-Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia(-1941). Caused by German Totalitarian expansionism resulting from WWI reparations and fear of Communism. 55M dead. 35M wounded. 30M refugees. Cost $US 1500B. Led to United Nations, Soviet power, State of Israel, atomic weapons.

Wyclif(fe), John. c1330-84. English religious reformer. Lollard leader. Advocated religion from within rather than mechanical practice. Began First English translation of bible.

Yang. Chinese symbol of heaven, light, male, positive, active. Yin.

Zenger, John. 1697-1746. US publisher. Libel acquittal based on being fact 1735, key to freedom of press.

Zeno of Elea. Paradox: Arrow can never reach its target because it progresses in ever decreasing fractions of distance remaining. ½,¼... First use of dialectic reasoning.

Zhdanov, Andrei. 1896-1948. Russian Politburo member. Created Cominform. Restricted Soviet cultural activities.