AP world all Chart

Political Science

The study of politics and the power that comes with it from different perspectives.

Historiography

The study of historical writing and its impact on understanding humanity.

Economics

The study of how humans decide to use finite resources to satisfy their needs.

Anthropology

The study of what makes us human and the analysis of people's lives.

Archeology

The study of past civilizations through their technology and artifacts.

Neolithic Revolution

The period (10,000 B.C.E. - 3,000 B.C.E.) where humans learned to domesticate plants and animals.

Collapse of the Gupta

The fall of the Gupta Empire due to invasions from the White Huns.

Warring States Periods

Periods of constant conflict in China following the fall of a dynasty.

Fall of Rome

The end of the Roman Empire in 476 CE due to invasions and internal decline.

Islamic Caliphate

A period of Islamic expansion and influence following the death of Muhammad.

Crusades

A series of religious wars initiated to reclaim the Holy Land.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and trade fostered by the Mongol Empire.

Renaissance

The revival of classical Greek and Roman culture in Europe from 1301 - 1600 CE.

Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church.

Sahara Desert

A natural barrier that isolated sub-Saharan Africa and hindered development.

Mediterranean Climate

A climate type conducive to agriculture and trade in ancient Greece.

Mountains

Geographical features that isolated societies like Japan, delaying unification.

Ring of Fire

A volcanic area that influenced the culture and geography of the South Pacific.

Major River Valleys

Areas such as the Nile, Indus, and Huang He that were vital for early civilizations.

Class Structures

Organizational hierarchies that exist in societies like those in India and China.

Judaism

A monotheistic religion founded by Abraham, based on the Torah.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad, focusing on submission to Allah.

Taoism

A philosophical tradition in China that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao.

Confucianism

A philosophy founded by Confucius emphasizing moral integrity and social harmony.

Hinduism

A major religion in India characterized by a belief in karma and a caste system.

Buddhism

A religion that seeks enlightenment through the teachings of Siddhartha (the Buddha).

Zen Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and insight.

Shintoism

The indigenous spirituality of Japan focused on nature and ancestral spirits.

Animism

The belief that all living things have souls and are interconnected.

Jainism

A religion that teaches non-violence and truthfulness towards all living beings.

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy advocating strict laws and harsh punishments.

Feudalism

A social system in medieval Europe and Japan based on land ownership and service.

Golden Ages

Periods marked by great cultural achievements and advancements.

Achaemenid Persia

An empire known for its administrative innovation and cultural tolerance.

Periclean Athens

A period featuring democracy, philosophy, and the arts in ancient Greece.

Gupta India

A golden age in India known for advancements in science and literature.

Pax Romana

A time of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire.

Islamic Golden Age

A period characterized by major advancements in science and culture in the Islamic world.

Tang and Song Dynasties

Periods of significant cultural and technological advancements in China.

Renaissance

A cultural movement in Europe from the 1400s that emphasized art, science, and humanism.

Classical Maya

A civilization known for its astronomical calendars and impressive architecture.

Inca Empire

A South American empire known for its advanced agricultural techniques.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of a deity.

Oligarchy

A form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens have a direct role in legislation.

Republic

A form of government in which representatives are elected to serve the citizens.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler has total power.

Sharia Law

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Hammurabi’s Code

The first written code of laws established in ancient Mesopotamia.

Magna Carta

A document that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights.

Edict of Milan

An edict that granted religious tolerance for Christianity in the Roman Empire.

English Bill of Rights

A document that established a constitutional monarchy in England.

Subsistence Economy

An economy where communities produce just enough to meet their own needs.

Barter System

A trading method in which goods and services are exchanged directly for other goods and services.

Commercial Revolution

The expansion of trade in Europe during the late medieval period.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own and control trade and industry.

Mercantilism

An economic policy aimed at maximizing exports and minimizing imports.

Ancient Feudal Social Class Systems

A hierarchical structure based on land ownership and protection in medieval times.

Aztec Social Classes

A social hierarchy in the Aztec Empire that included priests, nobles, and merchants.

Incan Social Classes

A hierarchy in the Inca Empire that utilized a mita system for labor.

Aryan Invasions

The migrations of Aryans into India that influenced cultural and social structures.

Oceanic Migrations

The movement of peoples across the Pacific to colonize various islands.

Bantu Migrations

The movement of Bantu-speaking peoples across sub-Saharan Africa.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean.

Hellenistic Empire

An empire spread by Alexander the Great that blended Greek and Eastern cultures.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East after the fall of Rome.

Umayyad and Abbasid Empires

Dynasties that expanded Islam and facilitated trade across the Muslim world.

Caravels

Ships that improved maritime trade during the Age of Exploration.

Gunpowder

A Chinese invention that transformed warfare and facilitated the rise of empires.

Irrigation

A method of supplying water to crops through channels and ditches.

Aqueducts

Structures designed to transport water from one location to another.

Quipu

An Incan record-keeping system that used knots on strings.

Chinampas

A Mesoamerican agricultural technique used by the Aztecs for farming on water.

Diversity in Human Rights

The examination of different treatment and rights among various social groups.

Medieval Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against Jews that led to persecution throughout Europe.

Women in Classical China

The treatment of women, often with limited rights compared to men.

Systems of Patriarchy

Social structures that reinforce male dominance and authority.

Crusades

Religious wars that caused significant impacts on the Christian and Muslim worlds.

Buddhism in post-Han China

The rise of Buddhism and its competition with Confucianism during the Han decline.

Matriarchal Societies in early Africa

Societies that prioritized women's roles and authority in community structures.

Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi and Laborers

The harsh treatment of laborers under the Qin dynasty's rule.

Islamic Empire

An empire where non-Muslims had to pay a Jizya tax for protection.