AP World Review: Section 2 Key Terms & Points (1450-1750)

Flashcards containing the most important information from the lecture notes.

What major shift occurred from land-based empires to maritime empires during the period of 1450-1750?

European powers established vast transoceanic networks driven by technological advancements, economic motivations, and political rivalries.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement between Spain and Portugal signed in 1494 that divided newly discovered lands outside of Europe between them.

What is the Doctrine of Discovery?

A principle that justified European colonization and the taking of land from indigenous peoples, asserting that Christian nations could claim ownership of lands they "discovered."

What was the Protestant Reformation?

A religious reform movement that swept Europe in the 1500s and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church.

What is Simony?

The buying and selling of clergy positions or spiritual privileges in exchange for money or material goods.

What was the Counter/Catholic Reformation?

The Roman Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation, aimed at addressing internal abuses and reclaiming lost territories.

What was the Council of Trent?

Addressed theological issues, reaffirmed traditional doctrines, established reforms like stricter education requirements for clergy, and clearer guidelines for sacraments.

What is the Jesuit Order?

Founded by Ignatius Loyola, this order focused on education, missionary work, and apologetics.

What are Joint-stock companies?

Businesses owned by multiple shareholders who pooled resources and shared risks, allowing for large-scale ventures in trade.

What was the Scientific Revolution?

A period when scholars were moving away from fixed sets of ideas from ancient Greek and Roman thinkers, combined with Catholic doctrine.

Who was Copernicus?

He proved the heliocentric theory, stating that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun.

Who was Galileo?

Confirmed and popularized Copernicus’s findings regarding the heliocentric theory.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

King James II was overthrown and a constitutional monarchy was established in England.

What was the Thirty Years’ War?

A religious conflict between Protestant and Catholic states within the Holy Roman Empire; escalated into a general European conflict for governmental control.

What was the Seven Years’ War?

A global conflict between France and Britain and their respective allies, concluding with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, where Britain emerged as a dominant colonial power.

What are Gunpowder Empires?

Powerful, centralized states in Eurasia that heavily relied on gunpowder technology to expand and maintain power (e.g., Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires).

What was the Ottoman Empire?

An imperial realm created by Turkish tribes that controlled much of Eurasia and North Africa.

What was Devshirme?

A system where Ottomans enslaved Christian boys from the Balkans, converted them to Islam, and trained them to form an elite fighting force.

What was the Safavid Empire?

A dynasty that ruled Iran from the 1500s to the 1700s and established Shia Islam as the official religion.

What was the Tokugawa Shogunate?

A period of peace and stability in Japan, but also one of strict social control and isolation from the outside world.

Who was the Shogun?

Supreme military leader of Japan who held actual power, unlike the emperor.

What was the Qing Dynasty?

The final Chinese dynasty, founded by Manchurians, who conquered China and established a large multi-ethnic empire.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

Chinese political concept that legitimized the rule of emperors by asserting they were chosen by Heaven to rule justly and efficiently.

What was the Delhi Sultanate?

A series of five dynasties that ruled northern India from 1206-1526.

What was the Mughal Empire?

Primarily controlled the Indian subcontinent from the 1500s to the 1800s, known for their architectural achievements and policies of religious tolerance.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

Caused by European colonization and exploration of the Americas; led to a massive transfer of plants, animals, diseases, etc., between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

What was the Encomienda?

A type of forced labor system where Spanish grant-holders held near-total control over indigenous people.

What was the Hacienda?

A hierarchical system where laborers were often paid small wages and had more freedom than with encomienda, but were kept in debt, preventing them from leaving.

What was Angola?

A critical region during the transatlantic slave trade due to its role as a primary exporter of enslaved Africans to the Americas & vital base for trade/military operations