AP World History Unit 0 Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms for AP World History Unit 0.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

City-State

An independent, self-governing state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

Colonialism

The practice or policy of acquiring political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs, customs, social activities, and ideas from one group or region to another.

Diaspora

The dispersion or scattering of a population of people from their original homeland across different regions.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

Dynasty

A line of hereditary rulers of a country or empire.

Egalitarian

Relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Empire

An extensive group of states, territories, or countries under a single supreme ruling authority.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction or mass killing of a targeted ethnic, racial, national, or religious group.

Globalization

The process of increasing interconnectedness and integration among countries, economies, cultures, and populations worldwide.

Ideology

A system of ideas, beliefs, and values that forms the basis of economic, political, or social theory and policy.

Imperialism

A policy or practice of extending a nation's power and influence over other territories through diplomacy, military force, or economic dominance.

Indigenous

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific region or land.

Monarchy

A form of government in which a single individual, such as a king or queen, serves as the head of state, usually inherited.

Nation-state

A sovereign state whose citizens share a common culture, language, identity, and national heritage.

Nationalism

Identification with and devotion to one's own nation, often accompanied by the belief in its self-governance or dominance.

Oligarchy

A form of government in which power is held by a small, privileged group of people.

Primary Source

An immediate, first-hand account or original document created during the time period under study by a direct witness or participant.

Republic

A form of government in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives rather than a monarch.

Revolution

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system, or a fundamental transformation of structure.

Secondary Source

A document or work that analyzes, interprets, evaluates, or synthesizes information from primary sources, created after the period being studied.

Social Class

A division of a society based on social and economic status, wealth, power, or occupation.

Syncretism

The blending, combination, or reconciliation of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs and practices.

Totalitarianism

A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial, requiring complete subservience of citizens to the state and controlling all aspects of life.

Theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of a deity or religious law forms the legal framework.

Tributary State

A state that maintains its internal autonomy while paying tribute, tax, or homage to a more powerful dominant state in exchange for protection or peace.