Unit 1 AP World History Vocabulary Review

Judaism

The first monotheistic religion, founded by the Hebrews, centered on belief in one God and the Torah as sacred law.

Christianity

Monotheistic faith based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth that spread through the Roman Empire and beyond.

Jesus

Jewish preacher regarded by Christians as the Son of God and founder of Christianity.

Mansa Musa

Wealthy ruler of Mali who made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and supported Islamic education.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim traveler and scholar who documented his journeys across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Berbers

Indigenous North African people who facilitated trans-Saharan trade routes.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Network connecting sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean via camel caravans

Caravanserai

Roadside inns along trade routes that provided lodging and safety for merchants.

Stirrups/Camel Saddle

Innovations that improved riding stability and efficiency for cavalry and trade across deserts.

Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Maritime trade network connecting East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Lateen Sails

Triangular sails that allowed ships to sail effectively against the wind.

Monsoon Winds 

Seasonal wind patterns that facilitated predictable navigation across the Indian Ocean.

Diasporic Communities

Settlements of merchants abroad that spread their culture and religion.

Marco Polo

Venetian merchant who traveled to Yuan China and described Asian wealth and culture to Europe.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese belief that rulers receive divine approval to govern, which can be lost through misrule.

Dynastic Cycle

Pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of Chinese dynasties based on the Mandate of Heaven.

Confucianism/Neo-Confucianism

Chinese philosophy stressing order, respect, and education; Neo-Confucianism added Buddhist and Daoist ideas.

Buddhism/Chinese Buddhism

Religion based on ending suffering through enlightenment; in China, it mixed with native beliefs.

Civil Service Exam

Chinese system selecting government officials based on Confucian learning and merit.

Filial Piety

Confucian virtue of respect and obedience toward parents and ancestors.

Samurai

Japanese warrior class serving feudal lords.

Shogun(ate)

Military ruler of Japan who held real power while the emperor was a figurehead.

Bushido

Samurai code of honor, loyalty, and bravery.

Chinese Grand Canal

Man-made waterway connecting northern and southern China for trade and transport.

Kowtow

Deep bow before the Chinese emperor symbolizing submission or respect.

Foot Binding

Chinese practice of tightly binding women’s feet to display beauty and social status.

Tribute System

Chinese policy requiring foreign states to offer gifts in exchange for trade privileges.

Porcelain

High-quality ceramic developed in China and widely traded along the Silk Roads.

Gunpowder

Chinese invention used for explosives and weaponry that revolutionized warfare.

Movable-Type Print

Printing technology allowing reusable characters; spread literacy and learning.

Justinian

Byzantine emperor known for codifying Roman law and expanding his empire.

Justinian’s Code

Collection and organization of Roman laws forming the basis for later European legal systems.

Eastern Orthodox

Branch of Christianity centered in the Byzantine Empire with Greek traditions and didn’t believe in the pope.

Roman Catholic Church 

Western branch of Christianity centered in Rome that dominated medieval European life.

Monasticism

Religious lifestyle of withdrawal from society for prayer and devotion.

Bubonic Plague/Black Death

Deadly 14th-century pandemic that killed millions across Europe and Asia.

Crusades

Series of Christian military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Feudalism

Decentralized political system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service.

Manorial System

Economic system of self-sufficient estates worked by peasants.

Knights

Mounted warriors serving feudal lords in exchange for land or status.

Serfdom

System where peasants were bound to their lord’s land.

Guild

Organization of artisans or merchants that set standards and training for a craft.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and first Holy Roman Emperor; promoted Christianity and unity in Europe.

Vikings

Scandinavian seafarers who raided, traded, and settled across Europe.

Islam/Muslim

Monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad; followers believe in one God (Allah) and the Quran.

Dar al-Islam

“House of Islam”; regions under Muslim rule where Islamic law and culture spread.

Bedouins

Nomadic Arab herders who played a key role in early Islamic society.

Muhammad

Prophet and founder of Islam who received revelations recorded in the Quran.

Astrolabe

Navigational tool used to determine latitude using stars; aided oceanic trade.

Quran 

Holy book of Islam containing God’s revelations to Muhammad.

Sunni/Shia Split

Division in Islam over leadership succession after Muhammad’s death.

Sharia Law

Islamic legal system derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Madrassas

Islamic schools teaching religion, law, and other subjects.

Sikhism

Religion founded in South Asia blending Hindu and Islamic beliefs emphasizing devotion and equality.

Kaaba

Sacred cube-shaped shrine in Mecca; Islam’s holiest site.

Umma

Global community of Muslims bound by faith.

Sufis/Sufism

Mystical Islamic movement emphasizing personal connection with God.

Caliph(ate)

Successor to Muhammad and political-religious leader of the Islamic community.

Hinduism

Major South Asian religion emphasizing dharma, karma, and reincarnation.

Caste System 

Hindu social hierarchy dividing people by occupation and birth.

Pastoral Nomads

People who herded animals and moved with seasonal grazing patterns.

Chinggis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire who united tribes and built the largest land empire in history.

Khanates

Divisions of the Mongol Empire ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan.

Pax Mongolica

Period of peace and stability under Mongol rule that promoted trade and communication.

Silk Roads

Overland trade routes connecting East Asia to Europe, spreading luxury goods and culture.

Champa Rice

Fast-ripening rice from Vietnam that boosted Song China’s population.

Human Sacrifice

Offering of humans to gods, notably practiced by the Aztecs.

Chinampas

“Floating gardens” used by the Aztecs for intensive agriculture.

Pochteca

Aztec long-distance merchants who also served as spies for the state.

Incan Road System

Extensive network of roads uniting the Inca Empire for communication and transport.

Mita System

Incan labor system requiring community service for public works.

City-State vs. Empire

City-states are independent urban centers; empires unite many territories under one ruler.

Islamic Empire

The territories ruled by Muslim caliphs after Muhammad’s death.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic dynasty (750–1258) known for cultural and scientific achievements in Baghdad.

Baghdad

Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and major center of learning and trade.

Mecca

Birthplace of Muhammad and holiest city of Islam.

Medina

City where Muhammad fled and established the first Muslim community.

Mongols

Nomadic Central Asian people who created a vast empire under Genghis Khan.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire preserving Greco-Roman culture and Orthodox Christianity.

Constantinople 

Capital of the Byzantine Empire and major Eurasian trade hub.

Holy Roman Empire

Central European empire established in 800 CE; linked with the Catholic Church.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (618–907) known for expansion, cultural brilliance, and trade.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (960–1279) known for innovation, urbanization, and economic growth.

Ming Dynasty

Dynasty (1368–1644) that restored native Chinese rule and sponsored maritime expeditions.

Silla Dynasty

Korean kingdom that unified Korea and adopted Chinese culture.

Hangzhou 

Song Dynasty capital and major trading port city.

Mali Empire

West African empire that controlled gold trade and spread Islam.

Timbuktu

Mali city that became a center of trade and Islamic scholarship.

Delhi Sultanate

Muslim kingdom in northern India (1206–1526) blending Islamic and Indian culture.

Great Zimbabwe 

Powerful southern African kingdom known for stone architecture and trade wealth.

Srivijaya 

Maritime empire controlling trade routes through Southeast Asia and spreading Buddhism.

Silk Road Trade Cities (Kashgar and Samarkand)

Key oasis cities facilitating Silk Road trade and cultural diffusion.

Malay Kingdoms (Malacca)

Southeast Asian maritime states thriving on Indian Ocean trade.

Swahili City States

East African coastal trading cities blending African and Islamic culture.

Aztec Empire

Mesoamerican empire centered in Tenochtitlan; practiced human sacrifice and tribute collection.

Incan Empire

Andean empire known for its roads, bureaucracy, and state-run labor system.

Cuzco

Capital of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu

Incan mountaintop city symbolizing Incan engineering skill.

Tenochtitlan

Capital of the Aztec Empire built on an island in Lake Texcoco.