AP World Vocab Unit 2 Part 1

Magnetic Compass

a navigational tool that utilizes the Earth's magnetic field to point north; first developed in China, initially used for divination purposes before evolving into a navigational instrument during the Tang Dynasty

Rudder

instrument used by sailors to determine their position that was invented in China during the Han Dynasty and improved upon during the Song Dynasty. Rudder. Used to steer a ship.

Junk

large, traditional Chinese sailing ship that was widely used for ocean voyages, particularly during the Song Dynasty, making it a significant part of Chinese maritime history and trade in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean

Dhow

large sailing vessel primarily used by Arab and Indian traders in the Indian Ocean, characterized by its lateen sails and commonly utilized for maritime trade

Caravanserai

a roadside inn or hostel located along major trade routes like the Silk Road, where travelers, particularly merchants and their caravans, could rest, trade goods, and exchange cultural information during their journeys

Flying Money

early paper currency used in China during the Tang Dynasty;Developed by Chinese merchants during the Tang Dynasty;Merchants would deposit their coins at a depository and receive a paper certificate that could be used to make payments elsewhere, effectively acting like a check

Hanseatic League

trade alliance of merchant guilds and market towns primarily in Northern Europe;in Northern Germany and Southern Scandinavia. They were grouped for the sole purpose of commercial alliance. They formed the league to encourage trade

Commerce

exchange of goods and services between two or more entities;business

Commodity

a raw material or basic good that is traded on a large scale;playing a significant role in shaping global economic systems and power dynamics

Astrolabe

ancient astronomical instrument used to;calculate the position of the sun and stars, identify constellations, and determine local time based on their position in the sky.

Protoindustrialization

rural populations began producing goods for a wider market, often through cottage industries, before the development of large factories, laying the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution by creating a commercialized rural workforce and developing new economic patterns

Jin Empire

dynasty in Chinese history that was established by the Jurchen people a nomadic group from Manchuria

Kuriltai

a political and military council held by ancient Mongol and Turkic chiefs and khans, essentially a "tribal assembly" where important decisions like electing a new leader or launching a war were made

Pax Mongolica

Mongolian Peace, was a period of relative stability and trade that occurred during the rule of the Mongol Empire;allowed for the first time in history for trade between China and Europe to occur

Shamanism

religious practice that involves the belief that shamans (person who is believed to have achieved powers through trance or religious experience) can connect with spirits and the otherworld, and use this connection to heal, protect communities, and guide the deceased. It's often associated with indigenous and tribal societies. 

Uyghur Alphabet

writing system based on the Arabic script, primarily used to write the Uyghur language, which is spoken by the Uyghur people primarily in Xinjiang, China

Golden Horde

the westernmost part of the Mongol Empire, established in the 13th century by Batu Khan;a body of Mongols that overran eastern Europe in the 13th century and dominated Russia until 1486

Cyrillic Alphabet

writing system used in many languages in Eurasia, including Russian and other Slavic languages, and some non-Slavic languages

Alexander Nevsky

one of the great military commanders of his time, who protected Russia's western frontier against invasion by Swedes or Germans