AP World Introductory Vocabulary List

A set of introductory vocabulary terms for AP World History, focusing on political structures, government forms, and historical era designations.

B.C.E.

stands for "Before Common Era" and replaces the old B.C. designation

Bureaucracy

large group of people who are involved in running a government but are not elected

C.E.

stands for "Common Era" and replaces the old A.D. designation

City-state

a sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city with its dependencies

Democracy

a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed

Dynasty

family of rulers who rule over a state for a long period of time

Empire

a political construct in which one state dominates over another state, or a series of states

Ideology

body of doctrine or belief for an individual or a group

Imperialism

the practice of a nation forcefully imposing its rule or authority over other nations.

Indigenous

originating in a particular region; native

Monarchy

supreme power held by one person and passed on through family heirs

Nation-state

a sovereign state inhabited by a relatively homogeneous group of people

Oligarchy

form of government in which all power is in the hands of a few people

Republic

a state where the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to select representatives to represent them

Tributary State

a state that is subordinate to a more powerful neighbor