AP World History Notes Unit One

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the early history of Islam, the expansion of the Islamic empire, significant figures and movements in medieval times, and comparative cultural practices.

Bedouin

Nomadic tribes that were the first civilization on the Arabian Peninsula.

Ka’aba

A religious shrine in Mecca dedicated to polytheistic worship and later to Allah.

Ummah

The community of Muslim followers gathered around the Prophet Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

The framework of a Muslim's life including faith declaration, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

Caliph

A political and religious successor to Muhammad, responsible for leading the Muslim community.

Sunni

Muslims who believe that the leaders of the ummah should be elected from the community.

Shi’a

Muslims who believe that leadership should remain within the Prophet's family, specifically with Ali.

Abbasid Caliphate

One of the major caliphates that succeeded the Umayyads, known for cultural and economic expansion.

Mongols

Central Asian nomadic invaders who destroyed the Abbasid Caliphate in 1258.

Islamic Golden Age

A period of great cultural, economic, and scientific advancement in the Islamic world.

Córdoba Caliphate

A caliphate established by Umayyad survivors in Spain, known for its cultural and intellectual pursuits.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.

Sufis

Muslims who seek a personal connection with Allah through mysticism and ascetic practices.

Scholasticism

A method of learning that emphasizes the use of logic to resolve theological issues, prominent in medieval Europe.

Vikings

Scandinavian warriors who conducted raids across Europe from the 8th to 11th centuries, influencing European politics.

Feudalism

A political and military system where land is exchanged for service and protection, common in medieval Europe.

Manorialism

An economic system that structured rural society around a system of landholdings and duties between lords and serfs.

Bhakti Movement

A devotional trend in Hinduism that emphasized personal devotion to god and rejected caste distinctions.

Zakat

The practice of giving alms to the poor and needy, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Silk Road

Ancient trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating cultural, technological, and economic exchanges.

Mansa Musa

The ruler of the Mali Empire known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and greatly enhancing Mali's reputation and wealth.

Qu’ran

The holy book of Islam that contains the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad.