AP World History Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts for AP World History.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960-1279) that emphasized cultural traditions based on Neo-Confucian principles.

Dar al-Islam

The term used to refer to the entire Islamic world and regions where Islam is the dominant religion.

Abbasid Caliphate

The third Islamic caliphate, notable for its cultural and intellectual achievements.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and stability across the Mongol Empire that facilitated trade and cultural exchange.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean, notable for the trade of silk and other luxury goods.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires, such as the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal, which expanded their territory using gunpowder technology.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests of a particular nation, especially in pursuit of independence.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant industrial growth and technological innovation that began in the late 18th century.

Social Darwinism

A belief that evolutionary concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest apply to social and economic development.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where opposing powers support combatants in a third country to avoid direct confrontation.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers.

Environmental Movements

Activism focused on protecting the environment and advocating for sustainable practices.

Globalization

The process of increasing interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

Fascism

A far-right authoritarian ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by dictatorial power.

Total War

A conflict in which countries devote all their resources to the war effort.

Bubonic Plague

A deadly disease that spread through trade routes, killing millions in Europe during the 14th century.

Mansa Musa

The king of the Mali Empire known for his wealth, pilgrimage to Mecca, and development of trade routes.

Inca Empire

The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, known for its advanced agricultural and engineering capabilities.

Ottoman Empire

A major Islamic empire that lasted from the late 13th century until the early 20th century, controlling large parts of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Feudalism

A social system prevalent in medieval Europe, where people worked and fought for nobles in exchange for land and protection.

Astrolabe

An ancient tool used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars.

Zamindars

Landlords in Mughal India who were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants.

Mughal Empire

An Islamic empire that ruled much of South Asia from the early 16th to the 19th century.

Spice Trade

A historical term that refers to the commerce of spices, including routes and trade networks that shaped global trade.