AP World Unit 3 Vocab

Qing Dynasty

The last imperial dynasty in China, notable for being the second time the Han people did not rule China.

Manchus

The ethnic group that established the Qing Dynasty by taking advantage of the crumbling Ming Dynasty's request for help.

Mughal Empire

A Muslim dynasty that conquered most of northern India, known for building the Taj Mahal and attempting to unite Hindus and Muslims.

Ottoman Empire

A Turkish empire that began as a small tribe and grew in power, known for converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque and building the Suleymaniye Mosque.

Safavids

The empire that ruled present-day Iran, mainly composed of Shiite Muslims and known for their military power.

Songhai Empire

A powerful empire in West Africa that replaced the Mali empire and controlled trade networks along its borders.

Janissary

The soldiers of the Ottoman Empire recruited through the Devshirme system, allowing the empire to achieve military success.

Samurai

Salaried military professionals in Japan, highly respected but dependent on conflict for wealth.

Divine Right

The belief that kings receive their power and authority from God, making them unaccountable for their actions.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of monarchy where the monarch rules with absolute power and is not limited.

Versailles

A city in France known for the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV and visited by thousands of tourists annually.

Zamindars

Rulers who owned large sections of land in the Mughal Empire and leased it out to farmers, allowing them to control their land.

Taj Mahal

A white marble building in India, a symbol of Mughal architecture and built by Shah Jahan.

Tax Farming

A tax system where the rights to collect taxes are sold to the highest bidder, seen in the Ottoman and Mughal Empires and Qing Dynasty.

Protestant Reformation

The movement that led to the formation of different branches of Christianity, initiated by Martin Luther.

95 Theses

The 95 statements posted by Martin Luther disputing church beliefs and academics, a key event of the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther

The reformer who nailed the 95 Theses to the Church door and started Lutheran Christianity.

Counter/Catholic Reformation

The opposition to the Protestant Reformation, aiming to reform the Catholic Church and retain followers.

Jesuits

Agents in the Counter-Reformation known for their education, missionary work, and charitable activities.

Indulgence

The forgiveness of punishment for past sins in the Catholic Church, often rewarded for wrong choices against the church.

Simony

The act of buying or selling church benefits, contributing to the formation of different branches of Christianity.

Inquisition

A court established by Pope Gregory IX to determine if someone was guilty of heresy, a belief contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.

Thirty Years War

A prolonged conflict over religious, territorial, and commercial aspects that resulted in significant casualties and changed the map of Europe.

John Calvin

The leading French Protestant reformer whose patterns influenced Protestantism worldwide.

Sikhism

A religion established in Punjab, India, worshiping a sculpture (Guru) believed to be their last Guru.

Shogunate

The military dictator of Japan, holding the real power while the emperor was a figurehead.

Daimyo

Rulers who reported to the shogun and enforced their orders in a specific area of Japan.

Jizya

A tax imposed on non-Muslims under Muslim rule, sometimes inconsistently enforced depending on the ruler and location.

Millet System

A system in the Ottoman Empire allowing non-Muslim groups to govern themselves, promoting peace and stability.

Suleiman the Magnificent

The greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire, expanding its territory and building the Suleymaniye Mosque.

Shah Abbas

The greatest ruler of the Safavid Empire, known for seeking ideas from others, employing a merit system, and tolerating other religions.

Babur

The founder of the Mughal Empire and descendant of Genghis Khan, with close ties to Safavid Persia.

Akbar

The grandson of Babur and the Mughal emperor who expanded the empire, achieved cultural blending, religious toleration, and ended the Jizya tax.

Divine Faith

Akbar's attempt to combine Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism into one faith to end religious conflict, but it died with his death.

Devshirme

Christian boys that were taken from the Balkans that were forced to become slaves of the Sultan.