ap world unit 1 20% must knows

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that revived Confucianism, established a strong bureaucracy, and experienced economic growth due to innovations.

Dar al-Islam

The Islamic world where culture spread via trade, particularly by the Abbasid Caliphate despite fragmentation.

Mali Empire

A West African empire that prospered through gold-salt trade and Islamic influence, notably during Mansa Musa's pilgrimage.

Feudalism

A decentralized power structure in Europe with local control by kings, nobles, knights, and serfs.

Silk Roads

Trade routes that facilitated the movement of goods, ideas, and technologies across Asia and beyond.

Monsoon winds

Seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean that enabled predictable sailing for trade.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in China characterized by merit-based civil service exams.

Decentralization

The distribution of authority from a central location, as seen in European feudalism.

Islamic scholars

Individuals who preserved and advanced knowledge, particularly in science and mathematics, during the Islamic Golden Age.

Caravanserai

Roadside inns along trade routes that provided shelter for travelers and facilitated trade.

Mahayanism

A branch of Buddhism that developed in China, emphasizing the role of bodhisattvas.

Dhimmi status

A status in Islamic rule that granted protection and certain rights to non-Muslims.

Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic

A major religious divide in Christianity established by the schism of 1054.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Diasporic communities

Merchant communities formed through trade that helped spread culture and ideas.