Important Vocabulary For AP World History

Silk Road

An ancient trade network connecting China with the Middle East and Europe, enabling the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture.

Feudalism

A system where land is traded for military service, characterized by decentralized power and hierarchical relationships.

Dar al-Islam

Regions under Muslim rule where Islam dominates social and political life.

Mansa Musa

14th-century Mali Empire ruler known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca.

Bubonic Plague (Black Death)

14th-century pandemic causing widespread death and social disruption.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between the Old and New Worlds post-Columbus.

Mercantilism

Economic system in Europe during the Age of Exploration focusing on wealth accumulation through trade and colonization.

Triangular Trade

Trade route between Europe, Africa, and the Americas involving goods and slaves.

Encomienda System

Spanish labor system in the Americas where landowners controlled indigenous peoples.

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires rising through military conquests and firearms.

Absolutism

System where rulers hold absolute power, often justified by divine right in European monarchies.

Devshirme

Ottoman system recruiting Christian boys for civil service and military.

Daimyo

Feudal lords in Japan controlling land and private armies.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty known for restoring Chinese rule and maritime exploration.

Sufism

Mystical form of Islam emphasizing asceticism and devotion to a spiritual guide.

Mestizo

Person of mixed European and indigenous American ancestry.

Middle Passage

Leg of the triangular trade transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Viceroyalties

Spanish administrative divisions in the Americas governed by viceroys.

Commercial Revolution

European economic expansion and trade characterized by capitalism.

Joint-Stock Company

Business entity allowing shareholders to invest in overseas ventures.

Industrial Revolution

Transition to industrialized societies marked by technological advancements.

Enlightenment

European movement emphasizing reason and skepticism toward traditional authority.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

French Revolution document proclaiming citizen rights.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution against French colonial rule.

Meiji Restoration

Period of modernization and industrialization in Japan.

Socialism

Political theory advocating for collective ownership of production.

Labor Union

Organization formed by workers to protect their rights and interests.

Urbanization

Population migration from rural to urban areas driven by industrialization.

Cotton Gin

Machine revolutionizing cotton production and expanding slavery.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain over opium trade.

Total War

Conflict mobilizing all resources and population for victory.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty ending World War I with harsh conditions on Germany.

Cold War

Geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Decolonization

Process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers.

Apartheid

System of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa.

United Nations

International organization promoting peace and cooperation among nations.

Multinational Corporation

Company operating in multiple countries, contributing to the global economy.