Unit 2 Ap World History

Caravanserai

Roadside inn where travelers and merchants (often in caravans) could rest, trade, and resupply along trade routes.

Caravan

A group of traders, pilgrims, or travelers (often with pack animals) traveling together for safety.

Paper Money

Currency made of paper, first used in China, making trade easier than carrying coins.

Flying Cash 

Early Chinese system of credit/letters of exchange that let merchants deposit money in one place and withdraw it elsewhere.

Silk Roads

Major trade routes linking China with the Middle East and Europe, famous for silk but also for cultural and idea exchange.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route

Trade network across the Sahara Desert, linking West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean (gold, salt, slaves).

Interregional Trade

Exchange of goods, ideas, and culture between different regions of the world.

Exports

Goods or services a region sells and sends out to other regions.

Diasporic Communities

Groups of merchants or people living outside their homeland, who spread culture and trade.

Facilitated

Made easier or smoother; helped something happen.

Astrolabe

Ancient tool used to calculate latitude by measuring stars/sun; helped navigation at sea.

Magnetic Compass

Tool using Earth’s magnetic field to show direction (north, south, east, west).

Astrological Charts

Maps of stars and planets used for predicting events or navigation.

Cartography

The science and art of making maps.

Ibn Battuta

Moroccan Muslim traveler who wrote about his journeys across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Mansa Musa

Wealthy king of Mali (14th century) known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and spreading Islam and gold.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who visited Asia and wrote about his experiences at the Mongol court.

Zheng He

Chinese admiral who led large naval voyages under the Ming Dynasty to promote trade and tribute.

Mongol Khanates

Regional divisions of the Mongol Empire, ruled by different khans.

The Mongols

Nomadic people from Central Asia who built the largest land empire in history under Genghis Khan.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic dynasty (750–1258) with its capital in Baghdad, known for a Golden Age of science, trade, and culture.

Turkic States

States and empires founded by Turkic peoples in Central Asia and the Middle East

Monotheism

Belief in one god.

Polytheism 

Belief in many gods.

Ideology

A system of ideas or beliefs that guides a group or society.

Doctrine

Official set of beliefs taught by a religion or institution.

Secular

Non-religious; separate from religion.

Divine

Related to or coming from a god.

Sufis

Mystical branch of Islam focused on spiritual closeness to God.

Shia

Branch of Islam that believes leadership should stay within Muhammad’s family (through Ali).

Sunni

Largest branch of Islam; believe leaders should be chosen by the community.

Bureaucracy

System of government with officials who carry out rules and laws.

Feudalism

System where land is exchanged for loyalty and service (lords, vassals, serfs).

Filial Piety

Confucian idea of respect and duty toward one’s parents and ancestors.

Foot Binding

Chinese practice of tightly binding women’s feet to keep them small, symbolizing beauty and status.

Serf

Peasant tied to a lord’s land under feudalism; not free to leave.

Prestige

Respect, admiration, or influence based on achievements or status.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly disease spread by fleas on rats; devastated Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 14th century.

Epidemic

Outbreak of a disease that spreads quickly among many people in one region.

Demographics

Statistical data about populations (age, gender, size, growth, etc.).

Suppress

To put down, stop, or control by force.

Depict 

To show or represent in words, art, or images.

Mitigate 

To lessen or reduce the severity of something.

Allude

To hint at or indirectly reference something.

Bias

Preference or prejudice that prevents fair judgment.