APWH Final Exam Study Guide

Filial Piety

Respect and duty toward one’s parents and ancestors, central to Confucianism.

Dar al-Islam

Lands under Muslim rule where Islamic law (Sharia) governs society.

Triangular Trade

A system of transatlantic trade linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, exchanging goods, enslaved people, and raw materials.

Social Darwinism

The belief that some people or societies are naturally superior to others, justifying inequality, imperialism, and racial discrimination.

Manorial System

The economic and social system of medieval Europe in which peasants worked the lord’s land in exchange for protection and a place to live.

Feudalism

A political and social system in medieval Europe where kings granted land to nobles in exchange for military service, and peasants worked the land for the nobles.

Reformation

A 16th-century movement that challenged the Catholic Church and led to the creation of Protestant churches.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation, aiming to reform the Church and stop the spread of Protestantism.

Enlightenment

An 18th-century intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights to challenge traditional authority.

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation extends its power by dominating other regions politically, economically, or militarily.

Militarism

The belief that a nation should maintain a strong military and be prepared to use it to defend or expand its power.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and pride in one’s nation, often putting national interests above others.

Laissez Faire

An economic belief that governments should not interfere in the economy, allowing businesses to operate freely.

Industrial Revolution

A period of rapid industrialization when machine-based manufacturing replaced hand production.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own businesses and make profits with minimal government interference.

Social Contract

The idea that people agree to give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and order.

syncretism

The blending of different religions, cultures, or ideas into a new, unified system.

Socialism

An economic system where the government or community owns and controls major industries to reduce inequality.

Marxism

A theory by Karl Marx advocating for a classless society where the working class controls the means of production.

Total War

A war that involves complete mobilization of a nation’s resources and affects civilians as well as the military.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government has total control over all aspects of public and private life.

Cold War

A period of political tension and competition (1947–1991) between the U.S. and the Soviet Union without direct military conflict.

Fascism

A political system with strong, centralized power, extreme nationalism, and suppression of opposition.

Neocolonialism

A practice where powerful countries indirectly control weaker nations through economic, political, or cultural pressures instead of direct rule

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, communication, culture, and technology.

Genghis Khan (Mongol)

Founder of the Mongol Empire; united Mongol tribes and created the largest contiguous empire in history, promoting trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia.

Nasir al-Din al Tusi (Muslim)

Persian scholar and scientist who made major contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy; influenced later Islamic and European scientific thought.

Ibn Battuta (Morocco)

A Muslim traveler and scholar who journeyed across Africa, Asia, and Europe, providing valuable accounts of diverse cultures and Islamic societies in the 14th century.

Muhammad Ali (Egypt)

Ottoman governor who modernized Egypt’s military, economy, and infrastructure in the 19th century, laying the foundation for a stronger, more independent state.

Mansa Musa (Mali)

King of Mali famous for his immense wealth, promotion of Islam, and support for education and architecture, including the city of Timbuktu.

Tupac Amaru (Peru)

Leader of an 18th-century indigenous uprising against Spanish colonial rule, symbolizing resistance to oppression in Latin America.

Zheng He (China)

Chinese admiral who led massive maritime expeditions in the 15th century, expanding trade, diplomacy, and Chinese influence across the Indian Ocean.

Akbar (Mughal)

Mughal emperor known for expanding the empire, promoting religious tolerance, and creating a centralized, efficient government.

John Locke (England)

Philosopher who argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, influencing Enlightenment thought and modern democracy.

Czar Peter the Great (Russia)

Russian ruler who modernized the military, government, and society, and expanded Russia’s influence in Europe.

Tokugawa Ieyasu (japan)

Founder of the Tokugawa shogunate; unified Japan, established a long period of peace, and enforced strict social order.

Simon Bolivar (South America)

Leader of independence movements in northern South America, helping liberate Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia from Spanish rule

Adam Smith (United Kingdom)

Economist who advocated for free markets and capitalism, emphasizing the “invisible hand” guiding economic growth.

Karl Marx (Germany)

Philosopher and economist who developed Marxism, advocating for a classless society and worker control of production.

Otto Von Bismarck (Germany)

Prussian leader who unified Germany in the 19th century and used diplomacy and wars to strengthen the German state.

Emperor Meiji (Japan)

Japanese emperor who led the Meiji Restoration, modernizing Japan’s government, economy, and military to transform it into a world power.

Josef Stalin (Soviet Union)

Soviet leader who centralized power, implemented Five-Year Plans, and industrialized the USSR, often using repression and terror.

Benito Mussolini (Italy)

Italian dictator who founded Fascism, centralized power, and promoted nationalism and militarism before and during World War II.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Turkey)

Founder of modern Turkey who secularized and modernized the government, education, and legal system after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Jawaharlal Nehru (India)

First Prime Minister of independent India who promoted democracy, industrialization, and nonalignment in foreign policy.

Mao Zedong (China)

Chinese communist leader who founded the People’s Republic of China, implemented land reforms, and led campaigns like the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution.

Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)

Leader of Ghana’s independence movement and first president, promoting pan-Africanism and modernization efforts.

Mikhail Gorbachev (Soviet Union)

Soviet leader who introduced reforms like perestroika and glasnost, leading to the end of the Cold War and the USSR’s collapse.

Deng Xiaoping (China)

Chinese leader who implemented economic reforms and opened China to global trade, moving the country toward a market economy.

Margaret Thatcher (United Kingdom)

British Prime Minister who promoted free-market policies, privatization, and a strong stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Sufis

Mystical Muslim groups who helped spread Islam widely through trade, missionary work, and appealing to local cultures.

Boyars

Russian nobility who held land and power, often influencing or resisting the authority of the tsar.

Mexica

The people who founded the Aztec Empire; they built Tenochtitlan and created a powerful Mesoamerican civilization before Spanish conquest.

Neo-Confucianists

Thinkers who revived and adapted Confucian ideas in East Asia, emphasizing moral behavior, social harmony, and a structured society.

Serfs

Peasant laborers in medieval Europe bound to the land and under the control of a lord.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman infantry soldiers, originally Christian boys taken as slaves, trained to serve the sultan and maintain military power.

Cossacks

Semi-nomadic, militarized communities in Russia and Ukraine known for serving as frontier soldiers and defenders of the Russian Empire.

Safavids

Persian dynasty (1501–1736) that established Shia Islam as the state religion and created a strong, centralized empire in Iran.

Zamindars

Landowners in India who collected taxes from peasants and often held local political and economic power under empires like the Mughals.

Mughals

A Muslim empire in India (1526–1857) known for centralized rule, cultural blending, and monumental architecture like the Taj Mahal.

Medieval Jews

Jewish communities in Europe who often faced restrictions, persecution, and expulsions, but maintained religious and cultural traditions.

Timariot

A soldier or landholder in the Ottoman Empire who received land in exchange for military service to the sultan.

Sikhs

Followers of Sikhism in South Asia who formed a distinct religious community and played a key role in resisting Mughal authority and later establishing political power in Punjab.

Portuguese Explorers

Navigators who led early maritime exploration in the 15th–16th centuries, establishing sea routes to Africa, India, and the Americas and initiating European overseas empires.

Huguenots

French Protestants who faced persecution in Catholic France, contributing to religious conflicts and migration to other countries.

Griots

West African storytellers and historians who preserved oral traditions, culture, and history across generations.

Swahili Arabs

Traders and settlers along East Africa’s coast who blended African and Arab cultures, spreading Islam and facilitating Indian Ocean trade.

Jesuits

Catholic missionaries who promoted education and spread Christianity worldwide, especially during the Counter-Reformation.

Criollos

People of Spanish descent born in the Americas, often wealthy and influential but ranked below peninsulares in colonial society.

Maroons

Communities of escaped enslaved people in the Americas and the Caribbean who resisted slavery and established independent settlements.

Maori

Indigenous people of New Zealand known for their warrior culture, tribal organization, and preservation of traditions despite European colonization.

Sepoys

Indian soldiers employed by European powers, especially the British, often serving in colonial armies.

Boers

Dutch settlers in South Africa who established farms and colonies, later resisting British control during the 19th century.

Young Turks

Reformist group in the late Ottoman Empire that sought modernization, nationalism, and the overthrow of the sultan’s absolute rule.

Irish/Italians in North America

Immigrant groups in the 19th–20th centuries who faced discrimination but contributed to urban labor forces, culture, and the growth of cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Significance of the Bhakti Movement

A devotional Hindu movement that emphasized personal devotion to a deity, promoted social equality, and helped spread Hinduism across South Asia.

Impact of the Swahili City-states

Boosted trade, spread Islam, and encouraged cultural and economic growth along East Africa’s coast.

Core beliefs of Confucianism

Emphasizes social harmony, respect for elders, filial piety, moral behavior, and proper relationships in society.

Core Beliefs of Islam

Belief in one God (Allah), following the Five Pillars, and living according to the Quran and teachings of Muhammad.

Growth of towns and cities in medieval Europe

Led to trade expansion, rise of a merchant class, and the development of urban culture and economic centers.

Impact of the Mongols

Created the largest contiguous empire, boosted trade across Eurasia, and facilitated cultural and technological exchange.

Origins of the Prostestant Reformation (from martin luther)

Sparked by Martin Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences, leading to new Protestant churches.

Improved technology in European Exploration

Advances like the compass, astrolabe, and better ships enabled longer sea voyages and global exploration.

Key Beliefs before and after the Scientific Revolution

Before: Knowledge based on the Church, ancient authorities (Aristotle), and tradition.
After: Knowledge based on observation, experimentation, reason, and the scientific method.

Influence of the Enlightenment

Inspired democratic ideas, individual rights, and challenges to absolute monarchy, shaping modern governments and revolutions.

Cause/Effects of the Haitian Revolution

Caused by slavery, inequality, and Enlightenment ideas; resulted in the first successful slave revolt and Haiti’s independence.

Resources that are indicative of an export economy from 1750-1900

Focused on raw materials like cotton, sugar, rubber, coffee, tea, and minerals for global markets.

Causes/Effect oof the industrial revolution

Caused by new technology, access to resources, and capital; led to industrial growth, urbanization, and social changes.

Describe imperialism in Africa and India by the British

Britain controlled territories for raw materials and markets, using political domination, economic exploitation, and military force.

Causes of Imperialism in East and Southeast Asia by the Japanese

Driven by the need for raw materials, markets, and national security after modernization and industrialization.

Long term cause of World War 1

Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism created tensions and rivalries among European powers.

Causes of the Russian Revolution and results

Causes: Poor working conditions, inequality, World War I losses, and dissatisfaction with the tsar.
Results: Overthrow of the monarchy, rise of the Bolsheviks, and the creation of the Soviet Union.

Important stipulations of the Versailles Treaty

Germany had to accept blame for WWI, pay reparations, reduce its military, and lose territory; League of Nations was created.

Long term causes of WW2

Treaty of Versailles, rise of fascism, economic instability, and unresolved nationalism from WWI.

Importance and effects of the invasion of the Soviet Union in WW2

Broke the Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact, opened the Eastern Front, and led to massive German losses, weakening Hitler’s forces.

Who fought and won the Chinese Civil War (and why?)

Fought between the Nationalists (Kuomintang) and Communists; the Communists won due to peasant support, Japanese invasion weakening the Nationalists, and better organization.

Causes/effects the formation of Israel

Causes: Zionist movement, Holocaust, and British support for a Jewish homeland.
Effects: Creation of Israel in 1948, displacement of Palestinians, and ongoing regional conflicts.

Causes/effects of the independence of India and Pakistan

Causes: Indian nationalist movements, British decolonization after WWII, and religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
Effects: Partition into India and Pakistan, mass migrations, and communal violence.

Cold War arms race

Competition between the U.S. and USSR to build nuclear and conventional weapons, increasing global tension and military spending.

Causes/effects the break up of the Soviet Union

Causes: Economic decline, political reforms (perestroika, glasnost), and nationalist movements in republics.
Effects: End of the USSR, independence of republics, and the U.S. becoming the sole superpower.