AP World History Foundational Vocab

BCE

Before Common Era - term used by historians to designate developments and processes prior to the birth of Jesus Christ

CE

Common Era - alternative to AD (Anno Domini) - term used by historians to designate developments and processes after the birth of Jesus Christ

assimilation

merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups; to adopt the ways of another culture

artisans

a person skilled in a particular craft; one who uses traditional methods to create items

autonomous

self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws; independent of others and possessing a large degree of self-government

bureaucracy

a system of departments and agencies formed to carry out the work of government; often a highly respected position

caste system

a social structure in which one’s class in society is determined by heredity

centralization

the concentration of administrative power in a central government or authority

chronology

the order of events in time - historians use chronology (aka periodization) to categorize historical developments and processes so they can be studied

circa

about; especially used in approximate dates

civilization

an advanced state of development of a society; judged by having a complex system of government and laws, use of written language, and the keeping of written records

codify

to catalogue or organize a set of laws, rules, etc. to a specific code

commodity

an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service

consolidation

a monarch’s attempt to streamline and centralize the government

continuity

persistence of certain elements or processes over time

cultural diffusion

the spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another

culture

a people’s unique way of life, as shown by its tools, customs, arts, and ideas

decentralization

to reorgnanize a government or industry into smaller, more autonomous units

deforestation

the clearing of trees, transforming a forest into cleared land

democracy

a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed

demography

the study of the size, growth, density, growth and other characteristics of human population

desertification

the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or destructive agriculture

diaspora

any group that has been dispersed outside of its traditional homeland, especially involuntarily, as Africans during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade

doctrine

a belief or set of belief held and taught by a relation or government

egalitarian

asserting, resulting from, or characterized by belief in the equality of all people, especially in political, economic, or social life

elite

a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group

empire

a political construct in which one powerful state dominates over another state or series of states

epidemic

outbreak of a contagious disease that spread rapidly and affects may people at the same time

gender

sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture

ideology

the doctrine, myth, belief, etc; that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group

imperialism

the practice of a nation forcefully imposing it rule or authority over other nations

indigenous

originating or occurring naturally in a particular place

infrastructure

the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise

interregional

of, involving, or connecting two or more regions

intraregional

within a region

legitimacy

to rule by the principle of hereditary or sanctioned right

migration

the movement of persons from one locality to another — sometimes voluntary, sometimes forced

monarchy

supreme power held by one person and passed on through family heirs

nation-state

sovereign state inhabited by a relatively homogenous group of people

religion

belief system that holds divine powers control the environment and people’s futures

republic

a state where the supreme power trades in the body of citizens entitled to select representatives to represent them

ritual

an established and prescribed procedure for a ceremony especially a religious one

sedentary

settled, not migratory - typically used in regard to farming - staying in one place for an extended period of time

social hierarchy/class

referring to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals into division of power and wealth within a society

state

a politically unified people occupying a definite territory, nation, or territory(ies) of government

static

showing little change characterized by little movement or progression

transregional

the exchange of goods, services, culture, and traditions across political or geographic boundaries

tribute

payment given by a subordinate person or power to a dominant one, or an obligation to do so

tributary state

a state that is subordinate to a more powerful neighbor and pays tribute each year typically for trading rights and/or protection

syncretism

combination of different cultures (religion, art, etc.) resulting in a unique culture