World History Modern AP Edition Prologue to 1200 CE

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Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Prologue to 1200 CE.

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40 Terms

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Homo sapiens

Modern humans; first appeared in East Africa between 200,000 and 100,000 BCE, living as hunter-gatherers with no permanent homes.

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Migration Out of Africa

Movement of humans beyond East Africa between about 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, populating the rest of the world.

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Animism

Belief system in which nature and natural features are inhabited by spirits or deities.

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Sumer

A Mesopotamian city-state region; birthplace of cuneiform and several early urban developments.

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Mesopotamia

Cradle of civilization located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern-day Iraq).

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Cuneiform

First writing system developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia; used for laws and records.

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Ziggurat

Massive temple-pyramid in Mesopotamian cities symbolizing centralized authority.

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Hieroglyphics

Ancient Egyptian writing system using pictorial symbols.

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Indus Valley (Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro)

Indus River civilization known for planned cities and urban infrastructure; language undeciphered.

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Indus script

The still undeciphered writing system of the Indus Valley civilization.

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Monotheism

Belief in a single deity; examples include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Zoroastrianism in certain contexts.

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Hinduism

South Asian religion with roots in the Vedas; often described as polytheistic with a caste system and belief in reincarnation.

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Vedas

Ancient Hindu scriptures that outline social order, ritual, and cosmology.

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Caste system

Rigid, hereditary social hierarchy in Hindu society that limits social mobility.

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Reincarnation

Belief that the soul is reborn into new lives after death.

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Zoroastrianism

Monotheistic religion from Persia emphasizing the struggle between good and evil and human free will.

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Judaism

Monotheistic faith of the Hebrews; covenant with Yahweh; development of Hebrew Scriptures.

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Christianity

Monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; spread throughout the Roman Empire; later legalized by Constantine.

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Islam

Monotheistic faith founded by Muhammad; revealed in the Qur'an; Five Pillars; sharia; Sunni/Shi'a split.

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Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices: faith in Allah, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

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Sharia

Islamic law code derived from the Qur'an and Hadith governing religious and civic behavior.

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Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic caliphate (750–1258) based in Baghdad; Golden Age of science, trade, and culture.

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Silk Roads

Network of land and sea routes connecting Eurasia for commerce and exchange of ideas.

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Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama; Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path aiming for nirvana.

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Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Founder of Buddhism; attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree around 6th century BCE.

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Four Noble Truths

Core Buddhist teachings about suffering and its cessation.

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Eightfold Path

Buddhist path of right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

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Mauryan Empire

First mass unity in South Asia (c. 322–187 BCE); Ashoka expanded prosperity and roads; edicts on pillars.

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Ashoka

Mauryan emperor who promoted Buddhism, built pillars with edicts, and spread Buddhist ideas.

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Gupta Empire

South Asian empire (c. 320–550 CE); Golden Age with advances in medicine, math (zero/place value), and centralized governance.

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Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing education, benevolence, virtue, respect for authority, and filial piety.

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Daoism

Philosophy stressing harmony with nature and inner reflection; counterpoint to Confucian ideals.

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Mandate of Heaven

Chinese idea that heaven grants emperors the right to rule; disasters signal its withdrawal.

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Qin Dynasty

First Chinese imperial dynasty (221–207 BCE); standardized script, weights, measures, and infrastructure.

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Han Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) that expanded bureaucracy, court exams, and trade along the Silk Road; Golden Age of science and technology.

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Civil service exam

Merit-based examinations in Han/Song China that staffed government bureaucracy.

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Paper money

Early use of printed currency in China, aiding long-distance trade.

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Magnetic compass

Chinese innovation that improved navigation and maritime trade.

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Gunpowder

Explosive mixture developed in China that transformed warfare and safety.

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Grand Canal

Large canal linking northern and southern China, boosting trade and unification.