AP World: Period 2 Vocab

deshirme

Ottoman practice where Christian boys from the empire's territories were recruited, converted to Islam, and trained to serve in various roles within the state, particularly as Janissaries or in administrative positions. This system allowed the Ottomans to build a loyal and skilled bureaucratic and military class, while also reinforcing their control over conquered regions and integrating diverse populations into the empire.

divine right of kings

a political and religious doctrine that asserts a monarch's authority to rule comes directly from God, not from any earthly authority. This idea was especially popular in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries and justified absolute monarchy by claiming that kings were chosen by God and therefore only accountable to Him. It discouraged rebellion, as opposing the monarch was seen as opposing God’s will.

gunpowder empires

a group of powerful empires that emerged in the early modern period, characterized by their use of gunpowder technology in warfare to expand and maintain their territories. These empires, primarily the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires, Empires, utilized advanced artillery and military tactics that allowed them to conquer vast regions and establish centralized states.

ming dynasty

A Chinese imperial dynasty that is  known for its cultural, political, and economic achievements as well as for its significant maritime exploration. The dynasty restored Han Chinese rule after the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty and established a period of stability and prosperity in East Asia.

mughal empire

A powerful Islamic empire that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid-18th century, known for its cultural achievements and architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal.

qing (manchu) dynasty

The last and largest imperial dynasty of China (1644–1912), established by the Manchus, known for expanding China’s territory and enforcing Confucian norms, as well as limiting foreign influence.

ottoman empire

A vast, multi-ethnic Islamic empire centered in modern-day Turkey, lasting from the 14th to early 20th century, and notable for its military might, cultural achievements, and trade.

safavid empire

A shia Muslim empire based in persia (modern-day iran) from the early 16th-18th centuries, known for spreading Shia Islam and fostering persian art and culture.

salaried samurai

Under the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan. samurai were no longer required to earn income through land ownership or warfare but received salaries, shifting their roles towards bureaucratic and administrative duties.

sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, emphasizing equality, justice, and devotion to God, and rejecting the caste system.

songhai empire

A west African empire that controlled trade routes and wealthy cities such as Timbuktu during the 15th and 16th centuries. known for its wealth, Islamic scholarship, and strong centralized government.

vizier

A high-ranking political advisor or minister in Muslim-majority empires like the Ottoman Empire, often serving as the Sultan’s closest advisor and handling administrative tasks.

zamindar

Landowners or tax collectors in the Mughal Empire, who were responsible for collecting taxes from peasants and could keep a portion of the revenue, playing a key role in the administration.

boyars

Russian landowning nobles who held power before the rise of the tsarist autocracy.

caravel

A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century, used in exploration.

carrack

A large, multi-masted European sailing ship developed in the 14th century and primarily used by the Spanish and Portuguese for long-distance trade and exploration.

columbian exchange

The exchange of goods, ideas, people, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Asia, Africa) and the New World (Americas) following Columbus's voyages.

dutch east india company

A powerful joint-stock company established by the Dutch in the 17th century, controlling trade in Southeast Asia.

encomienda system

A Spanish labor system that granted colonists authority over indigenous people, who were forced to work and convert to Christianity. Worked on large estates. Was used by Spanish in Americas to extract labor from indigenous people in exchange for protection and religious instruction, although it often resulted in severe exploitation.

fluyt

A dutch cargo ship with a large carrying capacity, designed for efficient and profitable long-distance trade.

hacienda system

A system of large estates in Spanish America where indigenous people or slaves worked in harsh conditions, mainly in agriculture.

joint-stock company

businesses formed  by groups of people who jointly make an investment and share in the profits and losses; businesses invested in expeditions to places such as the Americas

lateen sail

A triangular sail allowing ships to sail more effectively against the wind, facilitating longer sea voyages.

maroon societies

Communities formed by escaped enslaved Africans in the Americas and the Caribbean, preserving African culture and resisting colonial powers.

mercantilism

An economic policy where nations sought to increase wealth by exporting more than importing, emphasizing colonies' role in providing resources.

ming china

The Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) known for its naval expeditions, commerce, and rigid restrictions on foreign trade by the 16th century.

mit'a system

A labor system used by the Inca, later adapted by the Spanish, requiring indigenous people to work on public projects, such as mining.

omani merchants

Arabian merchants who competed with Europeans for trade dominance in the Indian Ocean, especially for control of the spice trade.

plantation economy

An economic system based on large-scale agricultural production of cash crops (sugar, tobacco, cotton) relying on enslaved labor.

portuguese trading post empire

A network of fortified posts and territories established by Portugal to control trade routes and collect taxes in the Indian Ocean.

pueblo revolt

A 1680 uprising by Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico, temporarily driving them out

silver trade

The global trade network for silver, particularly mined in Spanish colonies in the Americas, which significantly impacted economies worldwide.

timars

Land grants in the Ottoman Empire given to military officials, rewarding service with the right to collect taxes from designated lands.

tokugawa shogunate

A feudal military government in Japan (1603–1868) that imposed isolationist policies, limiting foreign influence.

trans-atlantic slave trade

Consisted of a trade triangle that brought slaves from Africa to the Americas, sugar and cotton from the Americas to Europe, and manufactured goods such as guns from Europe to Africa. The forced migration of millions of Africans across the Atlantic to work in the Americas, particularly in plantation economies.