APWH Unit 0

Paleolithic era

The long period during which human societies sustained themselves through gathering, hunting, and fishing without the practice of agriculture.

Pastoral society

A society based on a food-producing economy focused on the raising of livestock.

Chiefdom

A societal grouping governed by a chief who relies on generosity or charisma rather than force to win obedience.

Patriarchy

A social system in which women are subordinate to men, often linked to the development of agriculture and property.

Hinduism

A religion based on diverse beliefs and practices in India, viewed as a distinctive tradition.

Upanishads

Indian mystical and philosophical works written between 800 and 400 b.c.e.

Siddhartha Gautama

The Indian prince whose exposure to suffering led him to develop Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism

The early form of Buddhism that emphasizes practices over beliefs.

Mahayana Buddhism

The popular development of Buddhism emphasizing compassion and the role of supernatural beings.

Bhakti movement

A Hindu movement involving intense adoration of a particular deity through songs and rituals.

Confucianism

The Chinese philosophy that advocates for the moral example of superiors as key to social order.

Han dynasty

The Chinese dynasty (206 b.c.e.–220 c.e.) that established long-lasting cultural patterns.

Daoism

A Chinese philosophy advocating simplicity and harmony with the natural world.

Judaism

The monotheistic religion developed by the Hebrews, emphasizing a personal god with social justice concerns.

Jesus of Nazareth

A Jewish mystic whose life and teachings inspired the formation of Christianity.

Saint Paul

An early convert and missionary who popularized Christianity, particularly among Gentiles.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

The Prophet and founder of Islam whose revelations became the Quran.

Quran

The most holy text of Islam, containing the revelations given to Muhammad.

Umma

The community of all believers in Islam, unified by belief rather than geographical or tribal ties.

Ulama

Islamic religious scholars who shaped and transmitted core teachings of Islamic civilization.

Sufism

An interpretation of Islam that pursued spiritual union with Allah through practices that renounce material distractions.

Silk Roads

Land-based trade routes that linked various regions of Eurasia.

Sea Roads

The largest sea-based system of communication and exchange before 1500 c.e., centered on India.

Sand Roads

Routes of the trans-Saharan trade that connected West Africa with the Mediterranean and North Africa.