AP World History Unit 1 Vocabulary

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms from AP World History Unit 1 (1200-1450).

Abbasid Caliphate

An Islamic caliphate that ruled a large part of the Middle East and North Africa from the 8th to 13th centuries, overseeing a golden age of Islamic culture, science, and learning. It was known for its administrative innovations and cosmopolitan society.

Baghdad

A major city and the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, renowned as a center of intellectual and cultural exchange. It housed the House of Wisdom, attracting scholars from various backgrounds and contributing significantly to advancements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center and library in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate, where scholars translated and preserved Greek, Persian, and Indian texts, fostering a vibrant environment for research, innovation, and the development of new ideas in various fields of knowledge.

Scholarly / cultural transfers in Muslim and Christian Spain

The exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cultural practices between Muslim and Christian communities in Spain (Al-Andalus), leading to significant intellectual growth in both regions. Islamic scholarship preserved and translated classical texts, which were later transmitted to Europe, contributing to the Renaissance.

Turkic peoples

Various nomadic groups from Central Asia who migrated into different regions, including the Middle East, and established empires such as the Seljuk Empire and the Ottoman Empire. They played a significant role in the Islamic world and influenced its political and military landscape.

Seljuk Empire

A Turkic empire that played a significant role in the Islamic world and challenged the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century. They adopted Islam and defended the Abbasid Caliphate against internal and external threats, while also promoting Sunni Islam.

Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt

A sultanate in Egypt ruled by Mamluk military slaves, who were often of Turkic or Circassian origin. They rose to power and established a dynasty that ruled Egypt and Syria, known for their military prowess and patronage of the arts and architecture.

Delhi Sultanates

A series of Muslim sultanates based in Delhi that controlled parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 13th to 16th centuries. They introduced Islamic culture and administration to India, leading to interactions and syncretism with Hindu traditions.

Bhakti Movement

A Hindu religious movement emphasizing devotion and love to a particular deity, advocating for social equality and challenging traditional caste distinctions. It produced devotional literature and music in vernacular languages, making religious expression more accessible to the masses.

Sufism

A mystical branch of Islam emphasizing inner experience and union with God through practices such as meditation, music, and dance. Sufis played a crucial role in spreading Islam to various regions and promoting tolerance and understanding between different religious communities.

Buddhist monasticism

The practice of monks and nuns living in monasteries and dedicating themselves to Buddhist principles, focusing on spiritual development, meditation, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Monasteries served as centers of learning, art, and cultural preservation.

Vijayanagara Empire

A Hindu empire in South India that resisted Muslim expansion and preserved Hindu culture and traditions. It was known for its impressive architecture, efficient administration, and patronage of the arts and literature.

Srivijaya Empire

A maritime empire that controlled the Strait of Malacca and dominated trade in Southeast Asia, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas between India, China, and the Middle East. It was a center of Buddhist learning and cultural influence.

Rajput Kingdoms

A collection of Hindu kingdoms in northern India known for their warrior culture, chivalry, and resistance against Muslim invasions. They played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of medieval India.

Khmer Empire

A powerful empire in Southeast Asia, known for its impressive temple complexes like Angkor Wat, advanced irrigation systems, and sophisticated urban planning. It was influenced by Indian culture and played a central role in the region's political and economic development.

Maya city-states

Independent city-states in Mesoamerica, known for their advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture, including their elaborate writing system, accurate calendars, and monumental pyramids and temples. They thrived from around 250 to 900 CE.

Mexica / Aztecs

An empire in Mesoamerica known for its capital city of Tenochtitlan, tribute system, and sacrificial practices. They established a complex social hierarchy, sophisticated agricultural techniques, and a powerful military that dominated the region.

Lake Texcoco

The lake on which the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan was built, providing resources, transportation, and defense for the city. The Aztecs developed innovative agricultural techniques, such as chinampas, to increase food production in this lacustrine environment.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco and connected to the mainland by causeways. It was a major urban center with impressive temples, palaces, markets, and residential areas, showcasing the Aztecs' engineering and architectural prowess.

Chinampa

A method of Mesoamerican agriculture which used small, rectangular, artificial islands to grow crops on the shallow lake beds in the Valley of Mexico. This system allowed for intensive cultivation and supported a large population in the region.

Sacrifice/Tribute

Practices used by the Aztecs to maintain social order and appease the gods; often involved human offerings and collection of goods from conquered peoples. These practices were central to Aztec religion and politics, reinforcing their power and authority.

Inca

An empire in South America known for its extensive road system, terrace farming, and administrative organization, which allowed them to control a vast territory and integrate diverse populations. The Inca were skilled engineers, builders, and administrators, leaving a lasting legacy in the Andes.

Terrace farming

A method of farming used by the Inca that involved creating flat areas on mountain slopes to grow crops, maximizing land use and preventing soil erosion. This technique enabled the Inca to cultivate even steep and challenging terrains, ensuring food security for their empire.

Machu Picchu

An Inca citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, believed to have been a royal estate or religious center. Its remarkable architecture, stunning location, and mysterious history make it one of the most iconic and enigmatic sites of the Inca civilization.