52 Frequently Tested AP® World History Terms & Concepts

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms and concepts from AP® World History, facilitating effective study and review.

Dar al-Islam

A term referring to countries where Muslims can practice their religion freely, where Islamic law prevails.

Filial Piety

A central virtue in Confucian thought emphasizing love, respect, and support for one’s parents and ancestors.

Bhakti Movement

A devotional movement in Hinduism emphasizing music, dance, poetry, and rituals as means to achieve direct union with the divine.

Feudalism

A social system in medieval Europe structured around a series of exchanges between lords and vassals.

Serfdom

A form of labor in the feudal system where laborers work the land in exchange for protection, binding them to the land.

Foot Binding

A Chinese custom in which young girls' feet were bound to alter their shape and size, symbolizing beauty.

Greco-Roman Philosophy

Philosophies of the Greek and Roman empires based on logic, empirical observation, and political power.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route that connected Asia with Europe, facilitating cultural, economic, and political exchange.

Indian Ocean Trade

A maritime trading network that flourished from the 8th century to the 14th century, connecting various regions.

Diasporic Communities

Cultural groups formed when merchants introduce their traditions to new areas where they trade.

Inca Roads

A network of roads built by the Incas, spanning 25,000 miles and facilitating trade and military movement.

Marco Polo

A European traveler who provided detailed accounts of his travels to China during the 13th century.

Bubonic Plague

A devastating pandemic that killed approximately one-third of Europe's population in the 14th century.

Mercantilism

An economic theory where governments regulate the economy to benefit the state, often leading to colonial expansion.

Ivan IV (The Terrible)

The first tsar of Russia who expanded the empire and solidified autocratic power but faced paranoia and violence.

The Ming Dynasty

A significant Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644 and expanded trade and cultural reputation.

The Qing Dynasty

The last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1911, known for its isolationism and cultural developments.

The Manchu Empire

The ethnic minority that ruled China during the Qing Dynasty, known for their cultural celebration despite being outsiders.

The Ottoman Empire

A major Islamic empire that lasted over 600 years, controlling vast regions of the Middle East and Europe.

95 Theses

A list of propositions for debate by Martin Luther, which sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

United Fruit Company

A US company with significant influence over the politics and economies of Latin American nations in the early 20th century.

Cash Crop

A crop grown primarily for sale rather than for subsistence, significantly impacting local economies and labor systems.

Joint-Stock Companies

Businesses that allowed investors to buy shares, crucial to funding exploratory endeavors and capitalist ventures.

East India Company

A British trading company that played a major role in establishing British imperialism in India.

Pueblo Rebellion

An organized revolt by Pueblo Indians against Spanish rule in New Mexico in 1680, marking a significant moment of resistance.

Montesquieu

An Enlightenment philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers in government.

American Revolution

A conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the American colonies fought for independence from Great Britain.

French Revolution

An 18th-century rebellion against the French monarchy that led to significant social and political change.

A Vindication of the Rights of Women

A work by Mary Wollstonecraft advocating for women's rights and education.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applies natural selection to human societies, often used to justify imperialism and racial policies.

Spheres of Influence

Regions where one nation has exclusive rights and privileges over another state or territory.

Karl Marx

A philosopher whose ideas on socialism and capitalism laid the groundwork for communist movements.

Convict Labor

Forced labor of prisoners, often in harsh conditions, that contributed to public works and economic growth.

Chinese Exclusion Act

A law enacted in 1882 that suspended Chinese immigration and denied naturalization rights to Chinese immigrants.

Great Depression

A global economic downturn beginning in 1929 that led to widespread unemployment and economic hardship.

Fascism

An authoritarian political ideology that emphasizes extreme nationalism and the supremacy of the state.

Paris Peace Conference

The 1919 conference that established peace terms following WWI, including the Treaty of Versailles.

The Holocaust

The systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of others during WWII by Nazi Germany.

Russian Revolution of 1917

A two-part revolution that dismantled the tsarist autocracy and led to the rise of the Bolsheviks.

Nationalism

A strong feeling of pride and devotion to one’s nation that can lead to conflict and war.

Spanish Civil War

A conflict from 1936 to 1939 between the Republicans and nationalists in Spain that prefigured WWII.

Indian National Congress

A political party in India that led the struggle for independence from British rule.

Decolonization

The process through which colonies gained independence from colonial powers after WWII.

Ho Chi Minh

The Vietnamese leader who played a crucial role in fighting for Vietnam's independence from colonial rule.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

A long-standing conflict over territory and sovereignty between Israelis and Palestinians.

Proxy War

An armed conflict where two opposing states or non-state actors support combatants engaged in the conflict.

Military-Industrial Complex

A term warning of the close relationship between a country's military and the defense industry.

Pan-Africanism

An intellectual movement advocating for the solidarity of African people and nations.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation marked by the introduction of high-yield crops and improved techniques.

World Health Organization (WHO)

A specialized agency of the UN responsible for international public health.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the US that eliminated tariffs and established trade guidelines.