Ap World History Vocab 1.3-1.4

Delhi Sultanate

After Islam forces invaded the city of Delhi, the Delhi Sultanate rule began and lasted for 600 years. This created a sharp divide between the people of India, as some converted to Muslim while others stayed as Hindu. Another factor was the jizya, which was a tax imposed by the government for anyone not a Muslim.

Proselytize

A term used to describe an intent to convert someone's idealism or religion.

Mississippian

A civilization built near the Mississippi River by modern-day St. Louis. Known for its large earthen mounds constructed, some of which were 100 ft tall and covered an area of 12 football fields.

Cahokia

A large Mississippian city located in southern Illinois.

Matrilineal society

The social standing is determined by the woman’s side of the family. An example of this would be that the predecessor of a Great Sun (the chief) would be the sister's son and not his own.

Mayans

Located in modern-day Belize, the Mayan civilization at its peak had 2 million people populating the region. It was a decentralized society, and while often ruled by men, if no men were fit to lead it would be led by women.

City-state

An independent state made up of a city and its surrounding territory.

Aztecs

Originally hunter-gatherers who migrated to central Mexico, near modern-day Mexico City. Their capital city Tenochtitlán was located in the middle of a swamp to protect it from attacks.

Mexicas

Another word for the Aztec Civilization.

Human sacrifices

Someone who is killed as an offering to a god in return for good fortune. Often a captive or a prisoner of war.

Chinampas

Floating gardens in the swamp which helped to increase the amount of space for food production.

Aqueducts

An artificial channel or structure designed to transport water.

Theocracy

A government in which religious figures would rule the empire.

Incas

A civilization located near modern-day Ecuador and Chile which was established by Pachacuti and his son.

Pachacuti

A tribal leader who began conquering tribes in modern-day Peru which combined to become the Incan Empire. His name means transformer or shaker of the Earth.

Incan Empire

While conquered leaders of the Incan Empire had to pay tribute, the citizens who were captured did not. The empire was split into four provinces, each with their own bureaucracy and governor.

Mit’a system

A mandatory public service system in the Incan Empire. Men aged 15 to 50 had to give loyalty to the Empire in the form of manual labor by agricultural or in other ways, such as building roads.

Animism

The Incan people were animists, which means they believed that certain natural landmarks or items could have supernatural powers.

Quipu

A system of knotted strings used for numerical information concerning trade and engineering as well as for recording messages.

Carpa Nan

A massive roadway constructed by captive workers which stretched through 25,000 miles. This road was mainly used by the government and military.

Machu Picchu

The Incan civilization ruins.

Francisco Pizarro

A Spanish conquistador who is known for the capture and end of the Incan Empire.