AP World History - Ultimate Guide

Long-Distance Trade

Long-Distance Trade

Growth of trade networks connecting distant regions, facilitating cultural exchange and economic development.

Religious Mysticism

Practice within religions focusing on mystical experiences to connect with the divine through prayer and meditation.

Eightfold Path

Core teachings of Buddhism, outlining the path to end suffering and achieve enlightenment.

Feudalism

Social hierarchy system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service.

Chivalry

Code of conduct among medieval knights promoting virtues like honor, loyalty, and respect.

Magna Carta

Document signed by King John of England in 1215, limiting the monarch's power and establishing rights for nobles.

Neo-Confucianism

Blend of Confucianism and Buddhist ideas emphasizing filial piety, loyalty, and proper roles in society.

Silk Route

Ancient trade network connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, facilitating cultural exchange and economic growth.

Mongol Empire

Vast empire established by Genghis Khan, known for its military conquests and subsequent divisions into khanates.

Crusades

Series of military campaigns by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land and combat heresies, influencing trade and cultural exchange.

Mongol Empire

A vast empire that did not enforce a specific culture or religion on conquered nations but facilitated cultural diffusion and made significant advancements.

Timur Lang

A Mongol leader who conquered India and promoted Islam in the region through his conquests.

Mali and Songhai

African empires known for their wealth, with Mali attracting Islamic traders due to its gold reserves and Songhai becoming a major cultural center under rulers like Mansa Musa and Sonni Ali.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that emphasized merit-based bureaucracy, civil service examinations, and technological advancements, leading to improved governance and literacy rates.

Trade Networks and Cultural Diffusion

The expansion of trade routes like the Silk Road, Indian Ocean trade, and Trans-Saharan routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, religions, and technologies, contributing to global awareness and growth.

Renaissance

A period marked by increased trade, urbanization, and a focus on humanism, leading to cultural and artistic advancements, including the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement initiated by Martin Luther challenging the authority of the Catholic Church, leading to the formation of new Christian denominations like Lutheranism and Calvinism.

Scientific Revolution

A period characterized by advancements in scientific knowledge, including the heliocentric model by Copernicus, leading to the development of the scientific method and significant discoveries by scientists like Galileo and Newton.

European Rivals

Spain, Portugal, England, and France competed for power through exploration, colonization, and conflicts, shaping global politics and trade during the Age of Discovery.

Islamic Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Mughal, and Safavid Empires that utilized gunpowder technology, centralized power, and cultural achievements to expand their territories and influence in the Islamic world.

Qing Dynasty

Ruled China from 1644 to 1911, displayed Chinese historical items to affirm legitimacy

Kangxi

Qing Emperor from 1661 to 1722, conquered Taiwan, Mongolia, Tibet

Qianlong

Qing Emperor from 1735 to 1796, conquered Vietnam, Burma, Nepal

Tokugawa Shogunate

Ruled Japan from 1600 to 1868, enforced strict social class model

National Seclusion Policy

Implemented in Japan in 1635, prohibited travel abroad and foreign interactions

Ana Nzinga’s Resistance

1641-1647, resisted Portuguese colonizers in Ndongo and Matamba

Maratha

Resistance in India from 1680 to 1707 against the Mughal Empire

Maroon Societies

17th-18th century, resisted slave-owners in the Americas

Columbian Exchange

Transatlantic transfer of animals, plants, diseases, people, technology between Europe, Americas, Africa

Encomienda System

Spanish colonial system of forced labor on natives and African slaves in the New World

Sioux Resistance

Sioux resisted US government invasion of their land, facing violence during protests.

Muhammad Ahdam

Led Mahadists against Egyptian colonial rule, halted by the British.

Industrial Revolution

Originated in Britain in the 19th century, spreading to Europe, Japan, and the US.

Enclosure

Transition of shared public lands for farming to enclosed private property.

Steam Engine

Invented by Thomas Newcomer and James Watt, revolutionizing industry.

Telegraph

Enabled rapid communication over long distances in seconds.

Marxism

Foundation for socialism and communism, advocating for workers' control of production.

Sepoy Mutiny

Indian soldiers rebelled against British disrespect, leading to British control over India.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between Britain and China over opium trade, leading to unequal treaties.

Berlin Conference

Hosted by Otto van Bismarck in 1884 to discuss European land claims in Africa.

Monroe Doctrine

US policy declaring the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European intervention.

World War I

Global conflict involving alliances, nationalism, and colonial connections, leading to millions of casualties.

Treaty of Versailles

Signed in 1919, it marked the official end of World War I and imposed strict punishments on Germany, including war reparations, territorial losses, and military downsizing to prevent future rise to power.

League of Nations

Proposed by President Wilson, it aimed to preserve peace and establish humanitarian goals, but was not widely accepted, even by the US, and failed to prevent future conflicts.

Russian Revolution

Sparked by social unrest and resentment, it led to the establishment of the Soviet Union under Bolshevik leadership, notably Lenin and later Stalin, who implemented totalitarian policies and industrialization.

Fascism

A political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of individual rights in favor of the state, notably exemplified by Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany.

Cold War

Lasting from 1945 to 1991, it was a period of tension between the US and the Soviet Union, marked by ideological differences, nuclear arms race, and division of Europe into Eastern and Western blocs.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the Chinese Communist Party, he played a significant role in the Chinese Revolution, establishing the People's Republic of China and implementing policies like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.

Korean War

Fought between North Korea (backed by the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the US), it ended in an armistice in 1953, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided along the 38th parallel.

Cuban Revolution

Led by Fidel Castro in 1959, it overthrew the Batista dictatorship and established a communist regime, leading to strained relations with the US and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Vietnam War

Conflict between North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (democratic), with the US supporting the South, it ended with the fall of Saigon to the North in 1975.

Genocide in Cambodia

Under the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot, it resulted in the deaths of approximately 2 million people through forced labor, starvation, and executions.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

US intervention in Nicaragua targeting Sandinista guerrillas in the 80s.

Export Economies

Reliance on exports leading to poor domestic economies and debt.

Multi-party Election in Mexico

First occurrence in 2000 with the opposition PAN party winning.

Solidarity Movement in Poland

Led by Lech Walesa for reform of the communist economic system.

German Reunification

East and West Germany reunified after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

Soviet Union Collapse

Disintegration in 1991 after nations like Poland separated.

Indian National Congress

Established in 1885 to increase Indian rights under colonial rule.

Amritsar Massacre

1919 event where 319 Indians were killed by the British during a peaceful protest.

Apartheid in South Africa

System of racial separation established in 1948, abolished by Nelson Mandela.

Creation of Modern Israel

Established in 1948 with conflicts between Jews and Muslims.

Persian Gulf War

Conflict in 1990-1991 when Iraq invaded Kuwait under Saddam Hussein's leadership.

Taliban and Al Qaeda

Rise of Islamic fundamentalist groups, including Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Trade agreement uniting North American countries.

European Union (EU)

Formed to unite European countries economically and politically.

Rise of China and India

Both countries becoming economic powerhouses with global influence.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Formed to reduce barriers on international trade with 153 member states.

Green Revolution

Agricultural changes in the 50s and 60s leading to environmental and social impacts.

Global Warming

Accelerating due to human activity, posing uncertain outcomes for the environment.

AIDS Epidemic

Major health crisis affecting millions globally, especially in Africa.

Age of the Computer

Development of personal computers, internet, and social media changing global interactions.