AP® World History Study Guide

A series of vocabulary flashcards based on the AP® World History study guide, covering key concepts, terms, and events.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that emphasized Neo-Confucian principles and maintained trade networks.

Dar al-Islam

A term used to refer to the Islamic world and its cultural and political influence.

Abbasid Caliphate

The third caliphate in Islam that was notable for its cultural and intellectual advancements before its decline.

Feudalism

A social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was held by lords and worked by serfs.

Mughal Empire

An Islamic empire that governed most of South Asia, known for its cultural achievements and expansions.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires that expanded their territories through the use of gunpowder technology.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trade routes that connected sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa, facilitating the exchange of goods and culture.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World.

Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization from the late 18th to the early 19th centuries that transformed production processes.

Social Darwinism

A belief that applied the concept of natural selection to societies, justifying imperialism and inequality.

Decolonization

The process of transferring power from colonial governments to indigenous populations, especially post-World War II.

Proxy wars

Conflicts where two opposing sides support combatants in a third party country, as seen during the Cold War.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and integration among countries, particularly in economics, culture, and communications.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or national identity.

The Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Holocaust

The genocide of six million Jews during World War II, orchestrated by the Nazi regime in Germany.

The Great Leap Forward

A campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party to rapidly transform China from an agrarian economy into a socialist society.

United Nations

An international organization formed in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.