AP World History Modern

Gunpowder Empires

Powerful states (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) that used gunpowder weapons to expand.

Devshirme

Ottoman system of recruiting Christian boys for government/military service.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman infantry units loyal to the sultan.

Millet System

Ottoman policy allowing religious communities to govern themselves.

Safavid Empire

Persian empire that enforced Shi’a Islam.

Mughal Empire

Muslim-ruled empire in India known for tolerance (at times).

Zamindars

Local officials in Mughal India who collected taxes.

Absolute Monarchy

System where a ruler has total power (e.g., Louis XIV).

Divine Right

Belief that a monarch’s authority comes from God.

Qing Dynasty

Manchu-led dynasty that ruled China after the Ming.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, diseases between the Americas & Afro-Eurasia.

Mercantilism

Economic theory that wealth = gold/silver; colonies benefit mother country.

Joint-Stock Company

Business owned by shareholders (e.g., Dutch East India Company).

Triangular Trade

Trade system linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Middle Passage

Brutal transatlantic journey of enslaved Africans.

Plantation System

Large-scale farming using enslaved labor.

Encomienda System

Spanish labor system using Indigenous people.

Atlantic System

Network of trade, migration, and economic connections across the Atlantic.

Commercial Revolution

Expansion of trade and capitalism in Europe.

Price Revolution

Inflation caused by influx of silver from the Americas.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individual rights.

Natural Rights

Rights all humans are born with (life, liberty, property).

Social Contract

Idea that people give power to governments in exchange for protection.

Popular Sovereignty

Power comes from the people.

Nationalism

Pride in one’s nation; desire for self-rule.

Industrial Revolution

Shift from hand production to machines.

Factory System

Production in large centralized buildings.

Urbanization

Movement of people to cities.

Capitalism

Private ownership of business for profit.

Socialism

Government/public ownership to reduce inequality.

Communism

Classless society (in theory) with no private property.

Feminism

Movement advocating women’s rights.

Second Industrial Revolution

New technologies (steel, electricity, oil).

Assembly Line

Mass production method dividing labor into steps.

Corporation

Large business owned by shareholders.

Monopoly

One company controls an entire industry.

Labor Union

Workers organized to improve wages/conditions.

Strikes

Workers refuse to work to demand change.

Social Darwinism

Applying 'survival of the fittest' to society.

Mass Production

Large-scale manufacturing of goods.

Standard of Living

Level of wealth and comfort.

Militarism

Building up military power.

Alliances

Agreements between nations for defense.

Total War

War involving entire societies (economy + civilians).

Trench Warfare

Fighting from dug trenches (WWI).

Treaty of Versailles

Agreement ending WWI that punished Germany.

Fascism

Authoritarian government led by a dictator.

Nazism

Extreme fascism in Germany under Hitler.

Holocaust

Genocide of ~6 million Jews during WWII.

Genocide

Intentional destruction of a group of people.

Cold War

Ideological conflict between US (capitalist) & USSR (communist).

Containment

US policy to stop spread of communism.

Proxy Wars

Indirect conflicts between superpowers (e.g., Korea, Vietnam).

Decolonization

Colonies gaining independence.

Nonviolent Resistance

Peaceful protest (e.g., Gandhi).

Pan-Africanism

Movement for unity among African nations.

Neocolonialism

Economic control of former colonies by powerful nations.

Green Revolution

Agricultural advancements increasing food production.

Globalization

Increasing global connections in trade, culture, tech.

Human Rights

Basic rights all humans deserve.

United Nations (UN)

International organization promoting peace.

Non-Aligned Movement

Countries not aligned with US or USSR.

Free Market Economy

Economy with little government intervention.