APWH Vocab

Animism

Belief that objects have spirits and conscious life.

Shamanism

Religion mediating between visible and spirit worlds.

Shintoism

Japanese religion focusing on nature and ancestors.

Pastoral societies

Societies based on domestication of animals.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion based on Torah and Talmud.

Monotheism

Belief in a single, all-powerful God.

Hinduism

Religion from India emphasizing reincarnation and dharma.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods and deities.

Reincarnation

Rebirth of the soul in a new body.

Caste System

Hindu social class system influencing daily life.

Dharma

Religious and moral duties in Hindu belief.

Buddha

Founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama.

Buddhism

Belief system teaching happiness through desire removal.

Theravada

Branch of Buddhism close to original Buddha teachings.

Mahayana

Buddhism form emphasizing universal access to nirvana.

Bodhisattva

Buddhist who delays nirvana to help others.

Monasticism

Life dedicated to faith, withdrawing from society.

Mandate of Heaven

Divine right of Chinese kings to rule.

Confucianism

Ethics and education system taught by Confucius.

Filial Piety

Respect children owe to parents and elders.

Zoroastrianism

Monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster in Persia.

Greco-Roman Philosophy

Ideas emphasizing logic and empirical observation.

Christianity

Religion based on Jesus' life and teachings.

Syncretism

Blending beliefs from different religious traditions.

Silk Roads

Trade routes linking Eurasia overland.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade route significant for gold and salt.

Indian Ocean Maritime System

Network of trade routes around the Indian Ocean.

Mediterranean Sea Lane

Trade route connecting North Africa, Asia, Europe.

Muhammed

Prophet and founder of Islam.

Islam

Religion emphasizing one God and moral law.

Sunnis

Muslims believing community should select leaders.

Shi'a

Islam branch recognizing Ali as rightful successor.

Abbasids

Dynasty ruling Muslim Empire from 750 to 1250.

Turkic migration

Migration of Turks from Central Asia to Turkey.

Seljuk Turks

Nomadic Turks conquering Baghdad in 1055.

Crusades

Holy wars by Christians to reclaim the Holy Land.

Ulama

Muslim scholars interpreting Islamic law.

Sufis

Islamic mystics spreading Islam to Afro-Asian regions.

Southernization

Developments from Southern Asia influencing globally.

Mongols

Nomadic people who captured Baghdad in 1258.

Chinggis Khan

Mongol ruler who defeated Turkish Persian kingdoms.

Hulegu

Grandson of Chinggis Khan, captured Baghdad in 1257.

Mamluks

Egyptian rulers descended from Turkish slaves.

Mahmud of Ghazni

Islamic leader raiding Northern India, destroying temples.

Dehli Sultanate

Government by Afghani Muslims after 1500.

Malacca

Flourishing trading city in Malaya.

Dar-al-Islam

Lands under Islamic rule.

Al-Andalus

City where Umayyad prince brought Islam to Spain.

Arab Agricultural Revolution

Agricultural transformation in Islamic region, 8th-13th century.

Bhaktic Cults

Hindu groups emphasizing emotional devotion to deities.

Srivijaya

Maritime empire controlling the Strait of Malacca.

Ethiopia

East African nation beside the Nile River.

Copts

Christian minority group in Egypt.

Sahel

Land strip dividing desert and wetter areas.

Sudanic States

States trading with North Africa, mixing cultures.

Ghana

First known kingdom in sub-Saharan West Africa.

Gold and Salt Trade

Economic trade between North and sub-Saharan Africa.

Trans-Saharan Caravan Routes

Network linking North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa.

Mali

West African kingdom following Ghana, promoting Islam.

Sundiata

Founder of the Mali Empire.

Mansa Musa

Mali emperor known for pilgrimage to Mecca.

Griots

West African storytellers preserving oral history.

Ibn Battuta

Arab traveler documenting African societies and cultures.

Timbuktu

Mali trading city, center of wealth and learning.

Songhay

West African kingdom rising after Mali's decline.

Sharia

Islamic law combining Quran and Hadith.

Swahili

Bantu language influenced by Arabic.

Benin

Kingdom in the West African rain forest.

Kongo Kingdom

Agricultural kingdom on the lower Congo River.

Great Zimbabwe

Powerful African state thriving from gold trade.

Constantinople

Capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Justinian

Byzantine emperor defending against Persian threats.

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine architectural masterpiece built under Justinian.

Kiev

Trade city in Russia, flourishing until 12th century.

Eastern Orthodox

Christian religion of the Byzantine Empire.

Middle Ages

Period from Roman Empire's collapse to Renaissance.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor.

Holy Roman Empire

Decentralized Germanic empire fragmenting Europe.

Vikings

Scandinavian invaders impacting European history.

Manorialism

Economic system based on manors and lords.

Serfs

Laborers bound to a lord's estate.

Feudalism

Political system granting land for loyalty.

Vassals

Lesser lords serving greater lords.

Magna Carta

Document guaranteeing rights and privileges.

Parliament

Body of representatives making national laws.

Hundred Years War

Conflicts between France and England, 1337-1453.

Investiture

Ceremony for formal authority and office symbols.

Thomas Aquinas

Philosopher asserting faith can be logically proven.

Scholasticism

Medieval system reconciling faith with reason.

Hanseatic League

Commercial alliance of North German cities.

Guilds

Associations protecting merchants' and artisans' interests.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly illness spread in 1340s Europe.

Little Ice Age

Cool climate period affecting northern European agriculture.

Romanesque

Church architecture style with round arches.

Gothic

Medieval style characterized by mystery and grotesqueness.

Italian City States

Major trading cities like Venice and Florence.

Venice

Italian city aiding Byzantines for trade privileges.

Maya city states

Classical cultures in Southern Mexico and Central America.

Toltecs

Nomadic peoples known for military ethics in Mesoamerica.

Quetzalcoatl

Aztec nature god associated with Cortes' return.