AP World History Introductory Vocab List

B.C.E

stands for “Before Common Era” and replaces the old B.C designation

Bureaucracy

large group of people who are involved in running a government but are not elected

C.E

stands for “common era” and replaces the old A.D designation

City-State

a sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city with it's dependencies

Democracy

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

Dynasty

family of rulers who rule over a state dominates over another state or a series of states

Empire

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

Ideology

body of doctrine or belief for an individual or a group

Imperialism

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

Indigenous

originating in a particular region; native

Monarchy

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

Nation-state

a sovereign state inhabited by a relatively homogenous group of people

Oligarchy

form of government in which all power is in the hands of a few people

Republic

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

Tributary State

a state that is subordinate to a more powerful neighbor