SPICE-T AP World History Vocabulary

A set of 25 vocabulary flashcards covering foundational political, social, cultural, and environmental terms from the AP World History vocabulary list.

nationalism

A strong sense of devotion, loyalty, and pride in one's nation, often emphasizing shared culture, language, or history and the desire for national self-determination.

nomadic

A lifestyle characterized by moving from place to place in search of food, water, or pasture for livestock, without having a permanent, fixed settlement.

oligarchy

A form of government in which political power is held by a small, privileged elite group, often distinguished by wealth, family lineage, or military control.

papacy

The office, authority, and jurisdiction of the Pope as the bishop of Rome and supreme head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church.

parliament

A representative legislative body of government responsible for enacting laws, debating public policy, and overseeing the administration.

patriarchy

A social and political system in which men hold primary power, authority, and control over property, political leadership, and the household.

patronage

The financial support, encouragement, or privileges bestowed by a wealthy or influential individual (a patron) to artists, scholars, or clients.

peasant

An agricultural laborer or smallholder farmer of low social status who cultivates the land, historically under feudal or tenant obligations.

piety

Devout religious devotion, reverence, and faithful observance of religious duties and practices.

polygamy

The custom, institution, or practice of having more than one spouse at the same time.

polytheism

The religious belief in and worship of multiple gods or deities.

proletariat

The industrial working class who earn their living by selling their labor for wages and do not own the means of production.

republic

A form of government in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, rather than an inherited monarch.

secular

Pertaining to worldly, non-religious, or civil matters, distinct from spiritual or ecclesiastical affairs.

sedentary

A settled, stationary lifestyle characterized by living permanently in one place, typically associated with the development of agriculture.

stratification

The hierarchical categorization or ranking of individuals and groups into distinct socioeconomic layers or classes within a society.

suffrage

The legal right or privilege to vote in political elections.

syncretism

The blending, merging, or reconciliation of different religious beliefs, cultural traditions, or philosophical systems into a new form.

theocracy

A system of government ruled by religious leaders or officials recognized as divinely guided, where legal authority is based on religious law.

theology

The systematic study of religion, religious faith, the nature of God, and divine truth.

totalitarian

A centralized, dictatorial system of government that demands complete subservience to the state and strictly controls all aspects of public and private life.

tributary state

A subordinate territory or kingdom that sends regular tribute and gifts to a more powerful neighboring empire in exchange for autonomy or protection.

tyranny

An oppressive, cruel, or unjust government characterized by the arbitrary exercise of absolute power by a single ruler.

urbanization

The demographic and geographic process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in cities and towns, resulting in urban growth.

usurp

To wrongfully take over, seize, or hold a throne, office, or position of power by force or without legal authority.