AP World History - Ultimate Guide

Growth of long-distance trade

Emerged from the collapse of classical civilizations and interactions between new states, facilitating cultural exchanges and economic development.

Religious Mysticism

Focuses on mystical experiences within belief systems, such as prayer and meditation, to deepen the connection with the divine.

Theravada Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism emphasizing meditation, simplicity, and achieving nirvana through renunciation of consciousness and self.

Christianity

Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, emphasizing forgiveness, everlasting life through faith, and compassion for others.

Confucianism

Founded by Confucius, focusing on restoring political and social order through fundamental relationships in society.

Hinduism

Belief system in India centered around Brahma, with the goal of merging with the divine through following dharma and achieving moksha.

Islam

Monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to God and following the Five Pillars for salvation.

Abbasid Dynasty

Islamic empire known for its Golden Age in Baghdad, fostering advancements in arts, sciences, and trade.

European Feudalism

Social hierarchy system in medieval Europe with kings, nobles, vassals, and serfs, regulated by the code of chivalry.

Emergence of Nation-States

Transition from feudal kingdoms to modern countries in Europe through various paths like the Magna Carta in England and unification in Spain.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty influenced by Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism, known for justifying the subordination of women and foot binding.

Aztecs

Central American civilization with a capital in Tenochtitlan, known for trade, human sacrifice, and a strict social structure.

Hanseatic League

Trade alliance in northern Europe during the Middle Ages, promoting social mobility and nationhood through increased trade.

Mongol Conquest Impact

Diffusion of Culture, Prevention of Russian Cultural Development, Global Trade Growth

Mali and Songhai

Gold Trade, Mansa Musa, Sonni Ali

Song Dynasty

Merit-based Bureaucracy, Civil Service Examinations, Industrial Society

Trade Networks and Cultural Diffusion

Hanseatic League, Silk Road, Mongol Land Routes, Indian Ocean Trade

Bubonic Plague

Origin, Merchant Spread, Impact on Population

European Revolutions

Renaissance, Humanism, Protestant Reformation

Scientific Revolution

Copernican Revolution, Galileo, Scientific Method

European Rivals

Spain and Portugal, England, France, German Areas

Russian History

Ivan the Terrible, Time of Troubles, Peter the Great

Islamic Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman Empire, Devshirme, Mughal Empire

African Kingdoms

Songhai, Asanti Empire, Kongo, Angola

Ming and Qing Dynasties

Zheng He, Economic Challenges, Qing Rule

Qianlong

Emperor of China from 1735 to 1796, expanded territories to include Vietnam, Burma, Nepal, and was a Confucian scholar who preserved Chinese culture.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Established the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan during the Edo period (1600-1868), enforced a strict social class system, and moved the capital to Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

National Seclusion Policy

Implemented in Japan in 1635, it prohibited Japanese from traveling abroad and most foreigners from entering the country, leading to cultural flourishing with Kabuki theatre and haiku poetry.

Maratha

Indian empire that resisted the Mughal Empire in the late 17th century, eventually defeating them and establishing their own empire.

Encomienda System

Hierarchical colonial system in the New World where Spanish officials (Peninsulares) governed, and natives and African slaves were forced into labor under the encomienda system.

African Slave Trade

Europeans exploited existing slavery systems in Africa, leading to the brutal Middle Passage where around 13 million Africans were forcibly taken to the New World.

Columbian Exchange

Transatlantic transfer of animals, plants, diseases, and technology between Europe, Americas, and Africa, leading to population increases and the exploitation of forced labor in sugar plantations and silver mining.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries questioning divine right and advocating for natural rights, with key figures like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Mary Wollstonecraft promoting ideas of equality and liberty.

American Revolution

Colonists in America revolted against British rule, leading to the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the establishment of American democracy after defeating the British in 1781.

French Revolution

Sparked by financial crisis and social inequality in France, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy, establishment of a republic, Reign of Terror, and rise of Napoleon Bonaparte before being defeated in 1815.

Domestic System

Work primarily done on farms, at home, or in small shops before industrial advancements.

Flying Shuttle

Invention that accelerated the weaving process during the Industrial Revolution.

Spinning Jenny

Device that enabled the spinning of large quantities of thread.

Cotton Gin

Created by Eli Whitney, it revolutionized cotton processing by handling large amounts quickly.

Steam Engine

Developed by Thomas Newcomen and James Watt, it powered industrial machinery.

Telegraph

Communication innovation allowing rapid messages over long distances.

Assembly Line

Production method where each worker handles a specific task, increasing efficiency.

Laissez-faire Capitalism

Economic system advocated by Adam Smith, emphasizing private ownership and minimal government intervention.

Marxism

Ideology from Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto advocating for working class control of production and resources.

Labour Unions

Organizations enabling workers to negotiate for better conditions and rights.

Provisional Government

Established by Alexander Kerensky, it was ineffective due to disagreements with the local councils, the soviets, representing workers, peasants, and soldiers.

Bolsheviks

The socialist party led by Marxist leader Vladimir Lenin, who took power in the Soviet Union within six months and issued the April Theses.

April Theses

Demands issued by Lenin, including peace, land for peasants, and power to the soviets, leading to the rise of the Soviet Union.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

An armistice with Germany in 1918 that ceded part of western Russia to Germany, causing them to drop out of WWI.

Red Army

Created by the Bolsheviks under Leon Trotsky to defeat counterrevolutions in the Russian empire.

Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk)

Led a successful military against invading Greece, overthrew the Ottoman Empire, and became the first president of Turkey.

New Economic Policy (NEP)

Introduced by Lenin in the 1920s, allowed farmers to sell portions of grain for profit, but was discarded by Stalin.

Five-Year Plans

Stalin's strategy of collectivization, taking over private farms for state-owned enterprises, leading to industrialization and totalitarianism in the USSR.

Fascism

Ideology aiming to destroy individual will in favor of the people, promoting extreme nationalism often based on racial identity.

Berlin Wall

Constructed by the Soviets to divide East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Came to power in 1986, urged restructuring of Soviet economy, implemented elements of private ownership, and signed nuclear arms treaties with the US

Dissolution of Soviet Union

Occurred in 1991 after Poland and other former Soviet nations separated, leading to the disintegration of the USSR

Balkan Ethnic Cleansing

Occurred with Muslims being murdered by Christian Serbians, leading to UN troop involvement

Boris Yeltsin

First president of Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, faced challenges of reforming the country

Vladimir Putin

Former KGB agent who succeeded Yeltsin as the head of Russia, serving as both President and Prime Minister, causing unrest in relations with other nations

Indian National Congress

Established in 1885 to increase rights of Indians under colonial rule, mostly Hindu in composition

Amritsar Massacre

Occurred in 1919 when 319 Indians were killed by the British during a peaceful protest, fueling resistance

Mohandas Gandhi

Prominent figure in Indian resistance, advocated for passive resistance through demonstrations and boycotts

Partition of India

Led to the creation of Pakistan as a separate Muslim nation, following disagreements between Hindu and Muslim groups

African National Congress

Formed in 1912 to oppose European colonialism in South Africa, led by Nelson Mandela in the fight against apartheid

Apartheid

Established in South Africa in 1948, enforced racial segregation and discrimination against Black people

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Resulted in the creation of modern Israel in 1948, leading to ongoing conflicts and negotiations for a Palestinian state

Iranian Revolution

Overthrew the shah in 1979, establishing a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini, leading to regional power struggles and conflicts

OPEC

Formed by oil-exporting nations to control oil prices and production, impacting global economy and modernization

NATO

Established after WWII to maintain international security, along with the United Nations and other organizations, to provide aid and prevent conflicts

Persian Gulf War

Fought in 1990-1991 after Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to UN intervention and severe limitations on Iraq's activities

Al Qaeda

International terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden, responsible for the 9/11 attacks and ongoing conflicts with the US and other nations

Globalization

Facilitated by the end of the Cold War and advancements in technology, leading to increased global connections and trade agreements

EU

Formed to unite European countries economically, politically, and socially, promoting competition with the US and fostering global integration

G20

Group of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from 20 major economies, addressing global economic issues and cooperation.