AP World Unit 3

Ming Dynasty

a Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) that replaced the Mongol

Qing Dynasty

Last imperial dynasty of China (1644–1912 but don’t focus on post 1750 for this test, just know they are still around), established by the Manchus

Gutenberg Printing Press

A machine invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450 that used movable metal type to print books quickly and cheaply, helping spread ideas during the Renaissance and Reformation.

Gunpowder Empires

Muslim empires (Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal) that used firearms and cannons to expand and maintain control

Ottoman Empire

powerful sunni Islamic empire founded in modern

Shah

A Persian title meaning “king” or “emperor,” used by rulers of Safavid Empire

Safavid Empire

Shia Islamic empire in Persia (modern Iran) from 1501–1736

Mughal Empire

Muslim empire in India (1526–1857) founded by Babur; known for cultural blending, economic prosperity, and architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal.

Ghazi ideals

The warrior code followed by early Ottoman soldiers who fought to spread and defend Islam; “ghazi” means “warrior for the faith.”

Castes

Social groups in India’s hierarchy that determined a person’s occupation, social status. Born into caste.

Kangxi

Qing

Ivan IV

Russia

Sulieman I

Ottoman

Shah Abbas I

Safavid

Emperor Qianlong

Qing

Tamerlane

Timurand Empire

Ismail

Safavid

Akbar

Mughal

Mehmed II

Ottoman

The Divine Right of Kings

The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, not from the consent of the people used to justify absolute monarchy in Europe.

Justices of the peace

Local officials in England who maintained law and order and carried out the monarch’s policies at the local level as part of growing state centralization.

English Bill of Rights

Bill that limited the power of the English monarch, strengthened Parliament’s authority, and guaranteed rights such as free elections and due process.

absolute monarch

A ruler who holds complete control over government and society, claiming power by divine right like Louis XIV of France.

Intendants

Royal officials in France under Louis XIII & Louis XIV who collected taxes and enforced royal policies helped strengthen central power.

Devshirme

Ottoman system where Christian boys from the Balkans were taken, converted to Islam, and trained for military or government service (often became Janissaries aka military elite).

Daimyo

Powerful feudal lords in Japan who controlled land and had private armies of samurai before unification under the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Edo

capital of Tokugawa Shogunate, modern day Tokyo

Taj Mahal

Mughal monumental architecture built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, symbolizes Mughal wealth and artistry.

Versailles

French monumental architecture built by Louis XIV of France, symbolized absolute monarchy and the king’s control over the nobility.

Boyars

Russian nobles, power decreased by Ivan IV and Peter the Great.

Serfdom

Agricultural labor system where peasants were bound to the land and owed service to landlords, continued longer in Russia and Eastern Europe after fading in the West.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman soldiers recruited through devshirme, loyal to the sultan and are important because they were instrumental in Ottoman military expansion. Overtime gained significant political power.

Period of Great Peace

The era of stability and isolation in Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603–1868), marked by strict social order, limited foreign contact, and growth of Japanese art and commerce during the Edo Period.

Delhi

A major city in northern India, capital of the Mughal Empire (also Delhi sultanate earlier).

tax farmers

Individuals or private groups who collected taxes on behalf of the government, often skimming off a portion as profit, used in empires like the Ottoman Empire (mültezim) and France (Ferme générale)

tax farming

system of tax collection where the right to collect taxes was sold to private individuals or contractors but during this time period it often led to corruption and exploitation of the people being taxed (see tax farmers left).

tributes

Payments or gifts made by one state or ruler to another to show respect, submission, or to secure peace; used by empires like the Ming and Qing dynasties (China’s tributary system).

Zamindars

Local landowners and tax collectors in the Mughal Empire (India) who collected taxes from peasants and kept part as profit. Over time, some became more powerful and tried to lead rebellions against Emperor.

Cardinal Richelieu

France

Louis XIV

France

Peter I

Russia

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Shogunate

Askia the Great

Songhai Empire

Akbar

Mughal Empire

Shah Jahan

Mughal Empire

Romanov Dynasty

Royal family that ruled from 1613–1917, they restored stability after the Time of Troubles and expanded Russia into a major Eurasian power.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Centralized feudal military government established by Tokugawa Ieyasu that enforced isolationism and maintained internal peace for 250+ years.

Spanish Armada

A massive naval fleet sent by King Philip II of Spain to invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and STOP protestantism there. They did not win. This is important because it started the trend of British naval dominance and strengthened Protestantism in England.

Peace of Augsburg

Peace after German Peasant rebellion in Holy Roman Empire that allowed German princes to pick if their provinces were either Lutheran or Catholic

Edict of Nantes

Ended French Wars of Religion, allowed Heugonots (French protestants, mostly Calvinists religious tolerance) although the French government stayed Catholic.

Thirty Years’ War

war started in the Holy Roman Empire, but ends up involving most major European states. Greatest impacts from famine and violence on Holy Roman Empire. Goes on for 30 years. Ends with peace of Wesphelia (see peace of Westphelia for outcomes).

Peace of Westphalia

End of the Thirty Years War (1648). Sometimes called the end of the Protestant Reformation. Resulted in state sovereignty, increased religious tolerance, redrawing of European state boundaries, made the Holy Roman Empire have less power, states like France and Sweden increased power.

Indulgences

Catholic practice of the ability of people to buy Indulgences to shave time in purgatory off and get to Heaven faster.

Simony

Catholic practice of Church positions such as bishop being bought for money

Holy Synod

governing body of the Russian Orthodox Church created by Peter the Great in 1721 which replaced the position of the Patriarch, meaning there was no longer a single powerful religious leader independent of the tsar. This helped bring the Church under direct control of the state and centralized gov.

Counter

Reformation

Inquisition

strategy of counter

Jesuits

Catholic missionary order developed as part of Counter reformation. Travelled around the world spreading Catholic faith and teaching, including the Mughal Empire.

95 Theses

written by Martin Luther and posted on the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg in the Holy Roman Empire. Lists out all of Luther’s grievances (issues) with the Catholic Church, including his anger about simony, indulgences, and lavish lifestyle of priests. He also wants the Bible to be written in vernacular languages

The Elect

In Calvinist theology, the Elect are the people chosen by God for salvation.

Predestined

Calvinist theology that salvation (fate to either Heaven or Hell) was decided by God before you were born. Think: MY DESTINY WAS PREDETERMINED BY GOD

Shariah

Islamic law code. Used in the Ottoman Empire.

Empiricism

Empiricism is the belief that knowledge comes from observation, experience, and evidence, rather than from faith, tradition, or pure reason. Most associated with Western Europe, especially during the Scientific Revolution (1600s–1700s).

Sikhism

Monotheistic religion developed in India in the Mughal Empire. Founded by Guru Nanak. Emphasis equality of all humanity. Combined some ideas from Islam and Hinduism.

Henry VIII

England

Anne Boleyn

Henry IV second wife. The reason he wants an annulment from his first wife (causes him to make the Anglican Church). She gives birth to future Queen Elizabeth 1, beheaded by Henry VIII when she doesn’t have a son (not so romantic).

Charles V

Holy Roman Empire & Spain

Phillip II

Spain

Council of Trent

A major meeting of Catholic leaders held in italy that launched the Counter

Martin Luther

German monk who has issues with the Catholic Church. Author of 95 pt thesis. One of the most influential people in sparking the Protestant reformation. Lutheranism is named after him. Believed in the importance of the Bible only, instead of the Pope's authority, personal faith, and accessibility of faith to all.

John Calvin

Founder of Calvinism. Frenchman who lives and works in Switzerland most of his life.

Puritans

English Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Anglican Church of any remaining Catholic elements. Faced persecution in England and many migrated to North America (Massachusetts Bay Colony) seeking religious freedom.