World History Modern AP Edition - Prologue Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, peoples, and ideas from the Prologue through the Classical and Early Postclassical eras as presented in the notes.

Homo sapiens

The first appearance of modern humans in East Africa (about 200,000–100,000 BCE).

Animism

A system of beliefs that deities are associated with natural features and objects.

Migration Out Of Africa

Human movement beyond East Africa between about 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, later populating the world.

Hunter-gatherer

Societies that survived by hunting, foraging, and moving seasonally rather than farming.

Agricultural Revolution

Around 10,000 years ago; shift to farming in the Middle East, leading to food surplus and specialization.

City-state

An independent state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

Ziggurat

Massive stepped temple towers in Mesopotamian cities demonstrating state power.

Sumer

A southern Mesopotamian city-state region; early civilization and site of cuneiform invention.

Cuneiform

One of the world’s first writing systems developed by the Sumerians.

Hieroglyphics

Egyptian writing system used for monuments and religious texts.

Pharaoh

Ruler of ancient Egypt who centralized authority and built monumental architecture.

Indus Valley (Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro)

Civilizations in the Indus River valley known for urban planning and trade; language undeciphered.

Indus Script

Undeciphered writing system used by the Indus Valley civilizations.

Hinduism

A complex belief system with origins in the Aryan era; features Vedas, caste system, and evolving monotheism/polytheism.

Vedas

Sacred texts of the early Hindu tradition.

Caste System

Rigid social stratification in Hindu society with limited mobility.

Reincarnation

The belief that the soul is reborn after death in Hinduism (and in some forms of Buddhism).

Zoroastrianism

Early monotheistic religion from Persia focusing on the struggle between good and evil.

Judaism

Monotheistic faith with origins in Abraham; covenant with Yahweh and the Old Testament.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus; spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.

Islam

Monotheistic faith founded by Muhammad; Qur’an; Five Pillars; sharia law.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices: belief in Allah, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Dar al-Islam

House or realm of Islam; territories under Muslim rule where Islamic law applies.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic golden-age empire (750–1258) centered in Baghdad, promoting science and trade.

Silk Roads

Overland trade network linking Eurasia, enabling exchange of goods and ideas.

Indian Ocean trade routes

Maritime trade network connecting Africa, the Middle East, India, and East Asia.

Grand Canal

China’s canal system built by the Sui to connect the north and south; facilitated trade.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (618–907) known for territorial expansion, gunpowder, paper money, and civil service expansion.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (960–1279) noted for meritocracy, large urban centers, iron and steel production, and early paper money.

Qin Dynasty

Early Chinese dynasty (221–206 BCE) that standardized script and measures and built infrastructure.

Han Dynasty

Chinese golden age (206 BCE–220 CE) with Confucianism, extensive trade, and civil service exams.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese concept that heaven approves a ruler; disasters signal the loss of heavenly approval.

Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing education, benevolence, filial piety, and social harmony.

Daoism (Daoism/Taoism)

Philosophical tradition stressing harmony with nature and inner reflection.

Civil Service Exam (Han and later dynasties)

Merit-based tests used to select educated officials; enabled bureaucratic governance.

Roman Empire

Centralized state with law, roads, and public works; eventually declined due to multiple pressures.

Twelve Tables

Early Roman code of laws publicly displayed to protect citizens.”

Christianity in the Roman Empire

Spread of Christian monotheism; freedom to worship under Constantine and beyond.

Constantine

Roman emperor who legalized Christianity and moved the capital to Byzantium (Constantinople).

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople; Hagia Sophia and Justinian Code were notable legacies.

Hagia Sophia

Great church built in Constantinople; later a mosque; now a museum.

Justinian Code

Consolidated Roman law; foundational for European legal tradition.

Teotihuacan

Large Mesoamerican city near present-day Mexico City; notable for grid streets and pyramids.

Mayans

Mesoamerican civilization known for advanced writing, calendar, and mathematics.

Mississippian culture (Cahokia)

North American civilization with large mound centers and long-distance trade.

Toltecs

Mesoamerican culture influencing later Aztecs; cosmology and craft traditions.

Great Zimbabwe

Medieval African kingdom in southeast Africa; wealth from trade and gold.

Ghana (West Africa)

Kingdom thriving on gold-salt trade across the Sahara (c. 700–1240).

Trans-Saharan trade

Trade across the Sahara; camel caravans; facilitated Gold and Salt exchange and Islam’s spread.

Dhimmi & Jizya

Non-Muslim subjects paid special tax (jizya) and were allowed to practice their faith under Islam.

Vikings

Norse seafarers from Northern Europe who conducted raids and trade during Europe’s post-classical era.

Charlemagne

Carolingian king crowned Emperor in 800, unifying parts of Western Europe under a Christian empire.

Crusades

Religious military campaigns (beginning 1095) to regain Jerusalem; stimulated cross-cultural exchange.

Columbus arrives in the Americas (1492)

Era-defining voyage that opened widespread contact between the Old and New Worlds.