AP World History

Silk Roads

Trade routes connecting the East and West, fostering economic and cultural exchanges.

Mongol Empire

A vast empire in the 13th and 14th centuries that enhanced trade and communication across Eurasia.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of crops, livestock, and diseases between the Americas and the rest of the world after 1492.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government where the monarch holds absolute power over the state and government.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant churches and significant changes in the Christian world.

Industrial Revolution

The transition to new manufacturing processes in Europe and the United States, beginning in the late 18th century.

Nationalism

An ideological movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation, often in opposition to colonial rule.

Gunpowder Empires

The term used to describe powerful empires such as the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal that utilized gunpowder technology in warfare.

Haitian Revolution

The successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection in Saint Domingue (Haiti) from 1791 to 1804.

Decolonization

The process through which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, especially post-World War II.

Joint-Stock Company

A business entity where different stocks can be bought and owned by shareholders, common in colonial trade.

Urbanization

The process of making an area more urban, often occurring during the Industrial Revolution as people moved to cities for work.

Cultural Syncretism

The blending of religious and cultural practices from different traditions.

Social Hierarchy

A system of social stratification that ranks individuals based on wealth, status, and power.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies after World War II.

Environmental Degradation

The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources, destruction of ecosystems, and pollution.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or operate on an international scale.

Technological Advancements

Improvements and innovations in technology that drive economic and social changes.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice aiming to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights for African Americans in the United States.

Totalitarian Regimes

Political systems where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.