AP World History Full Study Guide

AP World History Full Study Guide

Pre 1200: What marked the beginning of the Agricultural Revolution?

Transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture

Pre 1200: What were some key River Valley civilizations?

Nile River, Yellow River, Indus River, Mesoamerica, Andes Mountains

Pre 1200: Which major religions began during early civilizations?

Hinduism (India), Judaism (modern-day Israel), Zoroastrianism (Persia/modern-day Iran), Buddhism (India), Christianity (modern-day Israel)

Pre 1200: How did Judaism primarily spread?

Mostly involuntarily (exile, forced migrations, etc)

Pre 1200: What role did Hinduism play in early Indian societies?

It helped hold together Indian societies (caste system, social order, religious practices) and influenced art, architecture, and governance by providing a framework for moral values and social hierarchy

Pre 1200: What is the relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism? What is the relationship between Christianity and Judaism?

Buddhism emerged from Hinduism and shares many concepts, such as karma and dharma, but differs in beliefs about the self, the nature of suffering, and the path to enlightenment. Christianity originated from Judaism, viewing Jesus as the Messiah and emphasizing faith in him for salvation, while maintaining key aspects of Jewish tradition and scripture.

Pre 1200: Which philosophy provides unity in China?

Confucianism is a philosophical system that emphasizes moral integrity, social harmony, and respect for hierarchy, shaping Chinese society and governance.

Pre 1200: What is Daoism?

It is connected with nature and emphasizes harmony, spontaneity, and the balance of opposites, particularly through the concept of yin and yang.

Pre 1200: What caused technological exchange in ancient societies?

Frequent wars.

Pre 1200: What were the next two Chinese dynasties (after the Song)? What significant structures did they develop?

The Qin and Han dynasties; they developed the Great Wall and the canal system, enhancing intranational trade and defense.

Pre 1200: Which civilization is credited with the invention of democracy?

The Greeks.

Pre 1200: What were the Romans known for in ancient history?

Being incredibly advanced.

Pre 1200: Which civilizations were prominent in Central America?

The Mayans and the Aztecs.

1200-1450: What is the first dynasty covered in China, and when did it exist? What religion was practiced, and which new religion was created? How did the new religion differ from the old one? What were some key cultural points of this new religion?

The Song Dynasty, 960-1279 CE; Confucianism; Neo-Confucianism; Both emphasize social harmony and relationships, Neo-Confucianism sprouted in response to the growth of Daoism and Buddhism in China, so it contained more mystical and nature elements; both practiced filial piety (respect), footbinding, and a meritocracy through the civil service exam

1200-1450: What country also adopted the civil service exam and why? This country also adopted which belief system that was prominent in China?

Korea, because it was a Chinese tributary state, and so was influenced by Chinese forms of governance and culture. Korea also adopted Buddhism.

1200-1450: What are the two different types of Buddhism, and what are the differences? Where are they each practiced?

Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism; Theravada (SE Asia, Thailand & Sri Lanka) focuses on the individual journey toward enlightenment; Mahayana (E Asia, China & Japan & Korea & Tibet) emphasizes collective salvation to help all and the role of bodhisattvas.

1200-1450: Which Chinese dynasty experienced a population boom? What materials did China mainly trade at the time?

The Song Dynasty; porcelain and silk (luxury items, Silk Road)

1200-1450: What new type of drought and disease resistant rice was created?

Champa Rice: a fast-maturing rice variety from the Champa Kingdom in present-day Vietnam, which allowed for multiple harvests in a year and contributed to agricultural productivity.

What is the Dar al-Islam?

The term "Dar al-Islam" (House of Islam) refers to regions where Islam is the dominant religion and where Muslims can practice their faith freely. It encompasses areas ruled by Islamic law and extends from the Middle East across North Africa and into parts of Asia. In the 1200-1450 time period it also included the Iberian Peninsula (then called Al-Andalus, present day Spain and Portugal) and various parts of the Indian subcontinent.

1200-1450: What empire was in power in and around the city of Baghdad?

The Abbasid Caliphate, known for its cultural, scientific, and economic achievements during the Islamic Golden Age.

1200-1450: What shift happened within the Muslim empires? (Hint: ethnicity)

Muslim empires switched from being predominantly Arab to being prominently Turkic.

1200-1450: What empire fought with the Abbasids and where was it based?

The Seljuk Empire, which emerged from the Turkic tribes, was involved in a series of conflicts with the Abbasid Caliphate during its expansion into the Middle East.

1200-1450: What is sharia law?

Sharia law is a legal system derived from the Quran, governing both personal conduct and legal matters within Islamic societies.

1200-1450: How did empires expand? Give examples.

Military: Seljuks, Mamluks

Merchants: Trans-Saharan Trade

Missionaries: Sufis (Islamic mysticism)

1200-1450: What were the three main religions in South and Southeast Asia?

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam

1200-1450: What empire expanded Islamic influence and where was it based?

The Delhi Sultanate, based in India

1200-1450: What movement in India modernized Hinduism and allowed for accessibility and reform? What were it’s key components?

The Bhakti movement, which emphasized personal devotion to deities, equality, and accessibility of Hindu worship. Included the abolishment of the caste system.

1200-1450: What empire kept the Delhi Sultanate from expanding? What religion was it associated with, and where was it based?

The Rajput Kingdoms, associated with Hinduism, based in northwestern India.

1200-1450: What was the empire in Southeast Asia that practiced Hinduism?

The Vijayanagara Empire

1200-1450: Describe the Khmer Empire and the Majapahit Kingdom.

The Khmer Empire (started Hindu, became Buddhist) was known for its monumental architecture, including Angkor Wat, and its influence on Southeast Asian culture. The Majapahit Kingdom, a powerful sea based empire, was notable for its cultural achievements and expansion in Java and beyond.

1200-1450: What were the civilizations present in South America? What were the basics of their societies? (Hint: 2)

The Inca and Aztec; the Aztecs used the tributary system to control their kingdom; Incas established a bureaucracy and the mit’a system (compulsory labor)

1200-1450: Describe the Swahili Kingdoms in Africa.

The Swahili Kingdoms were a collection of city-states along the East African coast that thrived on trade, combining African, Arab, and Persian influences. They created the Swahili language via syncretism and contributed to the cultural and economic development of the region through commerce, particularly in gold, ivory, and slaves.

1200-1450: What were the 4 empires in West Africa and what religion did they practice?

The four empires in West Africa included the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires, as well as the Hausa City-States. They predominantly practiced Islam.

1200-1450: Describe Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe was known for the Great Zimbabwe, which served as a center for trade, culture, and political power in southern Africa. They specialized in farming, cattle, and gold. They also maintained their traditional beliefs.

1200-1450: What is one of the last Christian empires in Africa?

Ethiopia.

1200-1450: What two branches of Christianity was Europe split between?

Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

1200-1450: What was the Byzantine Empire renamed to?

the Eastern Roman Empire.

1200-1450: What form of government was in Western Europe? Which body has the most power?

Feudalism (decentralized), characterized by a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs. The Catholic Church.

1200-1450: Which empire took control of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)? What was the peninsula renamed?

The Umayyad Caliphate, later known as Al-Andalus.

1200-1450: How did Europe end feudalism and centralize power?

Through the rise of strong monarchies and the establishment of nation-states, driven by factors such as the growth of commerce, the authority of the Catholic Church, and events like the Hundred Years' War.

1200-1450: Name the 3 main networks of exchange.

The Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean trade routes, and trans-Saharan trade.

1200-1450: What was traded on the Silk Roads?

Luxury goods such as Chinese silk and porcelain, as well as spices, precious metals, textiles, and other valuable commodities.

1200-1450: What is a caravanserai?

A roadside inn for travelers, especially along trade routes like the Silk Roads, providing shelter and accommodations for caravans.

1200-1450: What was invented that made travel easier and safer by not needing to carry large bags of coins around?

Paper money, as well as bills of exchange and bank systems

1200-1450: What was an example of a trade city? Why did trade cities flourish?

An example of a trade city is Kashgar, which flourished due to its strategic location, cultural exchanges, and commerce along major trade routes.

1200-1450: How did the maritime trade network (such as the Indian Ocean Trade) develop? What were the goods traded on the Indian Ocean Trade? What technologies allowed it to develop?

The maritime trade network developed due to advancements in navigation (magnetic compass, astrolabe), shipbuilding technologies (Chinese junk, Portuguese caravel), and understanding of the seasonal monsoon winds. Goods traded included spices, textiles, precious metals, and ivory from Africa and Asia.

1200-1450: What empires benefitted from the Indian Ocean Trade?

The empires that benefitted from the Indian Ocean Trade included the Ottoman Empire, the Mughal Empire, and the Swahili city-states. These empires thrived economically through the exchange of goods and cultural interactions facilitated by maritime trade routes.

1200-1450: The Indian Ocean Trade fostered cultural syncretism. What did this cause?

Diaspora communities, the invention of the Swahili language and the blending of various cultural practices and traditions.

1200-1450: Who was Zheng He? Describe his voyages.

Zheng He was a Chinese explorer and diplomat who led several maritime expeditions during the Ming Dynasty from 1405 to 1433. His voyages reached as far as East Africa and were aimed at establishing trade relations, showcasing Chinese power, and collecting tribute from foreign lands.

1200-1450: What technologies helped the Trans-Saharan Trade expand?

The camel saddle and caravanserai

1200-1450: What religion did the Mali Empire convert to? Who was their king, and what was he famous for?

The Mali Empire converted to Islam under the rule of King Mansa Musa, who was famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca and for his wealth, which he displayed during his travels.

1200-1450: What happened to religions during the trade expansion?

During the trade expansion, many religions spread and interacted with local beliefs, leading to the conversion of various communities and the establishment of new religious syncretism.

1200-1450: Name two other results of the expanded trade. (Hint: Think literature and technologies)

Arabic translations of once lost Greek texts sparked the Renaissance in Europe; Gunpowder was invented in China and transferred to the Muslim empires and Eastern Europe

1200-1450: Who were two explorers that expanded the knowledge of the world? (Hint: Italy and West Africa)

Explorers such as Marco Polo from Italy and Ibn Battuta from West Africa greatly broadened the understanding of geography and cultures through their travels and writings.

1200-1450: What were two other things that were transferred on the trade networks? (Hint: food and disease)

Champa rice and the Bubonic Plague

1200-1450: Describe the Mongol Empire. How did they expand? What large empires did they defeat? How was their empire organized? Who was the leader? What was significant about them?

The Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan, expanded through military conquest and strategic alliances, defeating major empires such as the Song dynasty and the Abbasid Empire. The empire was organized into khanates, with a focus on trade and communication across vast territories. It was the largest contiguous empire in history, known for its military strategies, cultural exchange, and the fostering of trade along the Silk Road.

1450-1750: What were the gunpowder empires?

The gunpowder empires were powerful Islamic states, including the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire, and the Mughal Empire, that expanded their territories and influence through the use of gunpowder weapons, such as cannons and firearms.

1450-1750: What important city did the Ottoman Empire conquer?

Constantinople

1450-1750: What were the Jannissaries in the Ottoman Empire?

Elite infantry soldiers, originally recruited from Christian families and converted to Islam, who served as the military backbone of the Ottoman Empire.

1450-1750: Which branches of Islam were the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire? What did this difference in religion cause? Describe the key differences between the two types of Islam.

The Ottoman Empire was predominantly Sunni Islam while the Safavid Empire was Shia Islam. This religious divide led to significant sectarian conflict and rivalry between the two empires. The key differences include beliefs about leadership in the Muslim community, Sunnis = anyone can be leader, Shia = only descendants of Muhammad can lead

1450-1750: What existing empire did the Mughal Empire conquer?

The Mughal Empire conquered the Delhi Sultanate, which had been an Islamic kingdom in northern India, marking a significant expansion of its influence and control in the region.

1450-1750: What was the name of the dynasty in China set up by the Manchu people?

The Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912, established by the Manchu people after their conquest of the Ming Dynasty.

1450-1750: How did empires legitimize themselves?

Empires legitimized themselves through various means such as religion, military conquests, and cultural patronage, often claiming divine right or historical legacy to justify their authority and rule.

1450-1750: Describe the Divine Right of Kings in Europe.

A political and religious doctrine that asserted monarchs were appointed by God and thus accountable only to God for their actions, legitimizing their absolute power over the state.

1450-1750: How did Europe obtain technologies from the rest of the world?

Exploration

1450-1750: What change occurred in European countries?

A shift towards centralized government and increased maritime exploration, leading to expansion of trade networks and colonial empires.

1450-1750: Describe mercantilism.

An economic practice involving exporting lots and importing little, especially from colonies.

1450-1750: Describe joint-stock companies.

Investors were protected from increased liability; was started by the government (Dutch East India Company & British East India Company)

1450-1750: Give an example of a trading-post empire.

The Portuguese Empire in Asia

1450-1750: Which country sponsored Christopher Columbus’ journey and what was his original purpose?

Spain, to find a westward route to Asia in order to access the Indian Ocean Trade without going around Africa.

1450-1750: Which country colonized the Philippines?

Spain

1450-1750: What were the European maritime empires? (Hint: 5)

Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and England

1450-1750: Describe the Columbian Exchange.

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, technology, human populations, and cultures between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages. It dramatically altered diets, economies, and populations across both continents.

1450-1750: What three diseases spread rapidly due to the Columbian Exchange?

Smallpox, measles, and malaria.

1450-1750: What staple food was introduced to Ireland? What were the negative and positive effects of this?

The potato was introduced to Ireland, leading to increased food security and population growth, but also dependency and the risk of famine due to crop failure.

1450-1750: What country became completely isolated? What was their leadership called at this time?

Japan; Tokugawa shogunate.

1450-1750: What is absolutionism? Which European country rebelled against this?

Absolutism is a political doctrine where a single entity, typically a monarch, holds absolute power over the government and its subjects. France was a notable country that rebelled against absolutism.

1450-1750: What were the societies in the Caribbean that rebelled against colonizers? (Hint: made up of freed or escaped slaves)

The Maroons were societies in the Caribbean made up of freed or escaped slaves who resisted colonial control and established their own communities.

1450-1750: What new trade route developed?

The Atlantic trade route, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, became prominent during this period.

1450-1750: What Incan labor system was adopted by the Spaniards?

The Mita system was an Incan labor system adopted by the Spaniards, requiring labor from local Indigenous people for public works and mining.

1450-1750: What new type of slavery was created? What was it based on?

Chattel slavery; race

1450-1750: What were three other systems of forced labor used in colonies?

Encomienda, Indentured servitude, and hacienda

1450-1750: What religion tried to convert indigenous people with missionaries?

Catholics

1450-1750: Which two European countries expelled all the Jews living there? Where did these Jews go?

Spain and Portugal; they migrated mainly to the Ottoman Empire.

1450-1750: What was the ancestry based system used to determine the hierarchy in Spanish colonies?

The casta system

1750-1900: What was the Enlightenment?

A philosophical movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry, influencing revolutionary ideas in Europe and America. Also focused on rationalism, empiricism, and humanism.

1750-1900: What is Deism?

A religious belief that acknowledges the existence of a creator who does not intervene in the universe, emphasizing reason and observation of the natural world.

1750-1900: What is Atheism?

The disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods, often grounded in rationalism and empirical evidence.

1750-1900: Describe humanity’s “Natural Rights". Who wrote it?

Natural Rights refer to the inherent rights each individual possesses, such as life, liberty, and property, and were famously articulated by John Locke.

1750-1900: What is the “social contract”?

The "social contract" is a theory suggesting that individuals consent to form a society and accept certain moral and political obligations in exchange for protection and social order, prominently discussed by philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. It also implies that a society has the right to overthrow an unjust government.

1750-1900: What ideology became prevalent?

Nationalism

1750-1900: What did the Enlightenment ideals lead to? Give 5 examples.

Abolishment of slavery, end of serfdom, women’s suffrage, worldwide rejection of authority, & liberalism

1750-1900: Describe liberalism and popular sovereignty.

Liberalism is a political ideology emphasizing individual rights, freedoms, and equality, while popular sovereignty asserts that the authority of a state is created and sustained by the consent of its people, often through elected representatives.

1750-1900: Which country helped the American colonies win the revolution?

France

1750-1900: Describe the Haitian Revolution.

A successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection by self-liberated slaves against French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue, leading to Haiti's independence in 1804.

1750-1900: Describe the French Revolution.

A period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy, establishment of a republic, and the rise of radical political groups.

1750-1900: Describe the Latin American Revolutions.

A series of successful uprisings in the early 19th century by colonies in Latin America against Spanish and Portuguese rule, leading to independence for several nations.

1750-1900: Describe the Propaganda Movement.

A campaign for political and social reforms in the Philippines led by educated Filipinos in the late 19th century, emphasizing nationalism and cultural identity.

1750-1900: Where did the Industrial Revolution start?

The Industrial Revolution started in Britain in the late 18th century, characterized by the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized manufacturing.

1750-1900: Describe the Industrial Revolution.

Characterized by rapid urbanization, the factory system, specialization of labor, and advances in technology such as steam engines and mechanized production.