ap world

State-Building

The process by which various states develop and expand their power through methods like bureaucracy, military power, and religious or cultural practices.

Silk Roads

A network of exchange that facilitated the trade of goods, technologies, and ideas, significant for cultural diffusion and economic growth.

Indian Ocean Trade

A trade network significant for its use of monsoon winds, key trading ports, and the variety of commodities exchanged, impacting East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Trans-Saharan Trade

A network of trade routes across the Sahara that was critical for the exchange of goods such as gold, salt, and slaves, facilitated by the camel and the spread of Islam.

Maritime Revolutions

Refers to the significant changes in exploration and trade from c. 1450 to c. 1750, marked by European exploration and the Columbian Exchange.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World following Columbus's voyages, with significant demographic, economic, and environmental consequences.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, influencing political and social thought.

Industrial Revolution

The period of major industrialization that transformed economies from agrarian to industrial, marked by technological innovations and significant social changes.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means, especially notable in the 19th century.

Cold War

The geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union post-World War II, characterized by ideological, political, and economic competition.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, often driven by nationalism and the decline of European influence.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or operate on an international scale, affecting economic, political, and cultural dynamics globally.