APWH Units 1 and 2

Imperial

Relating to an empire or emperor; a system where a central authority rules over diverse territories and peoples.

Bureaucracy

A system of government where most decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives; key to managing large empires.

Decentralized

A system of governance where power is distributed among local rulers or regions rather than concentrated in a central authority.

Artisanal

Made by skilled craftspeople by hand or with simple tools; often refers to goods like textiles, metalworks, or pottery in pre-industrial societies.

Manufactured

Goods produced in larger quantities, often in workshops or early factories; important for trade and state economies.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960–1279 CE) known for advances in technology, economy, Confucian governance, and cultural development.

Confucianism

A Chinese belief system emphasizing moral order, social harmony, and the importance of hierarchical relationships.

Filial Piety

A key Confucian value referring to respect for one's parents and ancestors, central to Chinese family and social structure.

Champa Rice

A fast-ripening, drought-resistant rice from Vietnam that boosted agricultural production in China during the Song Dynasty.

Porcelain

A fine, high-quality ceramic developed in China; a valuable export on the Silk Roads and maritime trade routes.

Abbasid Caliphate

The third Islamic caliphate (750–1258), known for its Golden Age of science, culture, and the capital city of Baghdad.

Turkic

Referring to peoples of Central Asian origin who spread into the Islamic world and played major roles in forming states like the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires.

Sultanate

A political entity ruled by a sultan, often used to describe Muslim states such as the Delhi Sultanate in India.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate, where scholars translated and preserved knowledge from many cultures.

Zimbabwe

A powerful African kingdom (c. 1100–1450) in southern Africa known for its stone structures and control of gold trade routes.

Feudalism

A decentralized political system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service and loyalty.

Manorialism

An economic system in medieval Europe based around self-sufficient farming estates (manors) where peasants worked the land for a lord.

Coerced Labor

Labor that is forced, including slavery, serfdom, and corvée (state-required labor), often used in agrarian societies.

Serfdom

A form of coerced labor where peasants were tied to the land and required to work for a landowner in exchange for protection.

Buddhism

A religion originating in India that teaches the path to enlightenment through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Mahayana

A branch of Buddhism prominent in East Asia that emphasizes compassion, the bodhisattva path, and the possibility of enlightenment for all.

Theravada

The oldest branch of Buddhism, focused on monastic discipline and personal enlightenment, dominant in Southeast Asia.

Hinduism

A major Indian religion characterized by beliefs in karma, dharma, reincarnation, and a pantheon of deities like Vishnu and Shiva.

Bhakti

A devotional movement in Hinduism emphasizing love and devotion toward a personal god, often seen as an emotional and inclusive form of worship.

Monasticism

The practice of living a religious life in a monastery, common in Buddhism and Christianity, focusing on discipline and devotion.

Judaism

An ancient monotheistic religion from the Middle East, centered on the covenant between the Hebrew people and God.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, spreading across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to God (Allah), and spreading across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Sufism

A mystical branch of Islam emphasizing personal connection with God through rituals, poetry, and spiritual discipline.

Missionaries

Religious individuals who travel to promote and spread their faith, often playing a key role in cultural diffusion.

Commercial

Related to trade and business; often refers to long-distance trade in luxury and staple goods during this era.

Camel Saddle

A technological innovation that allowed for more efficient transport of goods and people across the Sahara using camels.

Caravan

A group of traders or pilgrims traveling together across deserts or long trade routes for safety and efficiency.

Caravanserai

Roadside inns along trade routes where travelers and caravans could rest and resupply, facilitating long-distance trade.

Credit

A financial arrangement where goods or services are received with the promise of future payment, enabling trade without immediate exchange of money.

Textiles

Cloth or woven fabric; a highly valued commodity in interregional trade, especially from India and China.

Khanates

Regions ruled by a khan, especially after the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire into several successor states.

Astrolabe

An ancient astronomical instrument used for navigation by measuring the altitude of stars; critical to maritime exploration.

Compass

A navigational tool using Earth's magnetic field, allowing sailors to determine direction and aiding in maritime expansion.

Diaspora

The dispersion of people from their homeland, often due to trade, migration, or persecution, leading to cultural diffusion.

Indigenous

Originating naturally in a particular place; often refers to native populations prior to colonization or foreign influence.

Monsoon

Seasonal wind patterns that facilitated Indian Ocean trade by carrying ships across seas depending on the season.

Epidemic

A widespread outbreak of disease that affects a large number of people, often with significant social and economic effects.

Bills of Exchange

Written documents used in trade that promised payment at a future date, helping to develop credit systems.

Banking House

Institutions that developed to manage money, loans, and credit in growing trade networks.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting East Asia, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean, famous for silk and luxury goods.

Uyghur Script

A writing system adapted by the Mongols for administration and communication across their empire.

Arabic Numerals

A numeric system originating in India and transmitted to the West through Islamic scholars, replacing Roman numerals.

City-State

A politically independent urban center and its surrounding territory, common in regions like Greece and East Africa.

Ming Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) that restored Han Chinese rule and is known for exploration, art, and stability.

Admiral Zhenghe

A Chinese explorer who led massive maritime expeditions during the early Ming Dynasty to expand trade and influence.

Trans-Saharan

Refers to trade routes across the Sahara Desert that connected West Africa with North Africa and beyond.

Mali

A wealthy West African empire known for its gold trade, Islamic scholarship, and rulers like Mansa Musa.

Sub-Saharan

The region of Africa located south of the Sahara Desert, often involved in trade and cultural exchanges.

Gunpowder

An explosive material invented in China that revolutionized warfare and spread through the Silk and Maritime Routes.

Urbanization

The growth and development of cities, often driven by trade, economic prosperity, and population growth.