AP WORLD VOCAB

Culture

The beliefs, customs, traditions, language, and way of life shared by a group of people.

Empire

A large state that controls multiple territories and different groups of people, usually under one ruler.

Feudalism

A political and social system based on land ownership, loyalty, and exchanges of protection for service.

House of Wisdom

A major center of learning in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate where scholars translated and studied works from different cultures.

Indigenous

People who are originally from a particular region or land.

Jiao

A Chinese term associated with religious and philosophical teachings, especially the teachings of Confucianism.

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic empire that ruled much of the Islamic world from Baghdad and supported trade, learning, and cultural exchange.

Agricultural Revolution

A major change in farming that increased food production and allowed populations and cities to grow.

Angkor Wat

A massive temple complex in Southeast Asia built by the Khmer Empire and originally dedicated to Hinduism.

Nobility

A wealthy and powerful social class that often owned land and held political or military positions.

Pastoral Societies

Societies whose way of life depends heavily on raising and herding domesticated animals.

Sand Roads

Trade routes crossing the Sahara Desert that connected West Africa with North Africa and helped spread goods, ideas, and religion.

Anthropologist

A person who studies human cultures, societies, and development.

Archaeologist

A person who studies past human societies through physical remains such as buildings, tools, and artifacts.

Artisan

A skilled worker who makes goods by hand, such as pottery, textiles, jewelry, or metalwork.

Sea Roads

Maritime trade routes that connected regions through the Indian Ocean and other seas.

Seljuk Turk Empire

A powerful Turkic Muslim empire that controlled parts of the Middle East and helped spread Turkish influence and Islam.

Silk Roads

A network of land and sea trade routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Bureaucracy

A system of government organized through specialized jobs, rules, and a hierarchy.

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy emphasizing respect, education, proper behavior, family relationships, and social order.

Crusades

A series of religious and military campaigns, mainly involving European Christians attempting to gain control of areas considered holy.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty known for economic growth, technological advances, cities, trade, and innovations such as improved printing and gunpowder.

Sanskrit Civilization

A cultural tradition in South Asia connected to the Sanskrit language, Hindu texts, literature, religion, and learning.

Tribute System

A system in which neighboring states gave goods or payments to a powerful state, particularly China, in exchange for trade and diplomatic relationships.