APWH Vocab Review

Oligarchy

Oligarchy

A form of government in which a small group of people hold most or all political power.

Feudalism

A system in which people were given land and protection by people of higher rank, and worked and fought for them in return.

Humanism

A philosophy of life that considers the welfare of humankind - rather than the welfare of a supposed God or gods - to be of paramount importance.

Monarchy

A system of government in which one person reigns, usually a king or queen.

Triangular Trade

Three-legged route that made up the Atlantic slave trade in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Middle Passage

The forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.

Reincarnation

The belief to have been reborn.

Golden Age

A time period in which there was cultural progress, peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Sinification

The process by which non-Chinese societies or groups are acculturated or assimilated into Chinese culture

Hinduism

Characterized by a belief in reincarnation as well as in a supreme god or entity called Brahman. Their goal is to reach moksha (reincarnation) by doing good deeds (dharma).

Buddhism

Founder is Siddhartha Gautama. Goal is to become enlightened and reach nirvana. Nirvana is believed to be attainable only with the elimination of all greed, hatred, and ignorance within a person. Nirvana signifies the end of the cycle of death and rebirth.

Daoism

Founded by Laozi. They strive to be in harmony with this natural order.

Legalism

In ancient China this was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest and require strict laws to control their impulses. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi of the Qin Dynasty.

Confucianism

Believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful life.

Judaism

Founder is Abraham. The basic laws and tenets are in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.

Christianity

A major religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus. Christians are monotheistic and believe that God created the heavens and the earth.

Orthodox Christianity

Believe that Christ is the only priest, pastor, and teacher of the Christian Church. The Church founded by Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament.

Protestantism

Began in 1517 with Martin Luther. A branch of Christianity that emphasizes justification of sinners through faith alone, the teaching that salvation comes by unmerited divine grace, the priesthood of all believers, and the Bible as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice.

Islam Sunni

A Muslim who believes that the caliph Abu Bakr was the rightful successor to Muhammad after his death.

Islam Shi'a

Believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad's successor.

egalitarian

A person who believes in the equality of all people