AP World History Modern 1.4-1.6

Middle Ages

The period after the decline of the Roman Empire when Western Europe became divided into smaller kingdoms and trade and intellectual life declined. Region: Western Europe. Year: c. 500–1450.

Feudalism

A decentralized political and social system based on exchanging land for loyalty and service. Region: Western Europe. Year: Middle Ages, especially c. 1000–1450.

Manorial System

An economic system centered around manors, where communities were largely self-sufficient and peasants worked the land. Region: Western Europe. Year: Middle Ages.

Serfs

Peasants obligated to farm their lord's land and provide crops and livestock in exchange for protection and access to land. Region: Western Europe. Year: Middle Ages.

Three-Field System

An agricultural system that divided farmland into three sections, allowing farmers to rotate crops and leave one field unused. Region: Western Europe. Year: Late Middle Ages, c. 1000–1450.

Magna Carta

A document that limited the power of the English king and required him to respect certain rights. Region: England. Year: 1215.

Hundred Years' War

A series of conflicts between England and France. Region: England and France. Year: 1337–1453.

Great Schism

The split of Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe and the Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe. Region: Western and Eastern Europe. Year: 1054.

Crusades

European Christian military campaigns aimed largely at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control. Region: Europe and the Middle East. Year: Beginning in 1096.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooler climate that reduced agricultural productivity and contributed to food shortages and social problems. Region: Europe. Year: c. 1300–1800.

Antisemitism

Anti-Jewish sentiment and discrimination that led to persecution and expulsions in parts of Europe. Region: Europe. Year: Middle Ages, especially 1200s–1400s.

Muslims in Europe

Muslim populations in Europe, particularly in Spain and southeastern Europe, who experienced both cultural influence and discrimination. Region: Spain and southeastern Europe. Year: c. 1200–1500.

Renaissance

A revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman literature, art, culture, and civic virtue. Region: Italy and later Europe. Year: c. 1300–1600.

Humanism

A Renaissance movement focused on individuals and human concerns, emphasizing education, reform, and secular literature. Region: Italy and Europe. Year: 1300s–1500s.

Gutenberg's Printing Press

A movable-type printing press that allowed books to be mass-produced cheaply and helped spread ideas and increase literacy. Region: Germany and Europe. Year: 1439.

Kin-Based Networks

Social and political organization based on family and kinship relationships. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Hausa Kingdoms

A group of West African city-states and kingdoms that developed around trade and agriculture. Region: West Africa. Year: c. 1000s–1400s.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade routes crossing the Sahara Desert that connected West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean. Region: West and North Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Ghana

A powerful West African kingdom that became wealthy through trade, especially gold and ivory in exchange for salt, copper, cloth, and tools. Region: West Africa. Year: Founded c. 500; peak c. 700–1100.

Mali

A powerful West African empire that became wealthy through trade, especially gold, and developed after the decline of Ghana. Region: West Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Zimbabwe

A powerful East African kingdom that became wealthy through agriculture, grazing, trade, and especially gold. Region: Southeastern Africa, modern Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Year: c. 1100–1500.

Swahili

A culture and language that developed along the East African coast through African, Arab, and Islamic influences and Indian Ocean trade. Region: East African coast. Year: c. 1000–1450.

Ethiopia

A Christian kingdom in East Africa that maintained Christianity despite being surrounded by predominantly Muslim regions. Region: East Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Indian Ocean Slave Trade

The trade of enslaved people across the Indian Ocean, connecting East Africa with Arabia, Persia, India, and other regions. Region: East Africa and Indian Ocean. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Griots

Oral historians and storytellers in West Africa who preserved and passed down history, traditions, and knowledge. Region: West Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Griottes

Female griots who preserved oral traditions and passed down history and cultural knowledge. Region: West Africa. Year: c. 1200–1450.

Matrilineal

A social system in which social standing is determined through the mother's side of the family. Region: North America, especially the Mississippian culture. Year: c. 700s–1600.

Mexica

The name the Aztecs used for themselves. Region: Central Mexico. Year: c. 1200–1521.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco. Region: Central Mexico. Year: Founded c. 1325.

Chinampas

Artificial farming plots used by the Aztecs to increase agricultural production. Region: Central Mexico. Year: c. 1200–1521.

Tribute System

A system in which conquered peoples provided payments, goods, labor, or other resources to the ruling empire. Region: Mesoamerica. Year: c. 1200–1521.

Theocracy

A government in which religious authority and political authority are closely connected. Region: Central Mexico/Aztec Empire. Year: c. 1200–1521.

Incan Empire

A large centralized empire in the Andes that was divided into four provinces with governors and bureaucracies. Region: Andes, South America. Year: 1438–1533.

Pachacuti

An Incan ruler who began conquering neighboring tribes and helped create the Incan Empire. Region: Andes/Cuzco, Peru. Year: Began expansion in 1438.

Mit'a System

A system of mandatory public service in which people provided labor for agriculture, roads, and other state projects. Region: Incan Empire/Andes. Year: c. 1400s–1530s.

Temple of the Sun

A major Incan religious center in Cuzco dedicated to the sun god Inti and royal ancestor veneration. Region: Cuzco, Peru. Year: Incan period, especially 1400s.

Animism

The belief that elements of the physical world can have supernatural powers, such as rivers, mountains, stones, and plants. Region: Incan Empire/Andes. Year: Incan period.

Carpa Nan

A massive Incan roadway system of about 25,000 miles used mainly by the government and military. Region: Andes/Incan Empire. Year: c. 1400s–1530s.

Terrace Farming

An agricultural technique in which step-like fields are built into mountain slopes to grow crops and control water and erosion. Region: Andes/Incan Empire. Year: Incan period.