AP World History Developments and Trade Networks (1200–1450)

Comprehensive AP World History vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, empires, trade networks, and developments from Units 1 and 2 (1200–1450).

Dynastic cycle

Pattern of rise, peak, decline, and replacement of Chinese dynasties.

Song Dynasty

Era of economic boom, gunpowder, paper money, and strong bureaucracy.

Confucianism

Belief system stressing hierarchy, order, and moral behavior.

5 Basic relationships

Ruler–subject; father–son; husband–wife; older–younger brother; friend–friend.

Filial piety

Respect and obedience toward parents and ancestors.

Theravada Buddhism

Focus on meditation and individual enlightenment.

Mahayana Buddhism

Emphasizes compassion and bodhisattvas; more accessible.

Tibetan Buddhism

Ritual-heavy, monastic, part of Vajrayana tradition.

Champa rice

Fast-ripening rice from Vietnam; boosted Chinese population.

Grand Canal

Major waterway linking north and south China; improved trade.

Steel and iron production

Song China mass-produced metals for tools and weapons.

Movable type

Printing innovation using reusable characters.

Junks

Large, stable Chinese ships for long-distance trade.

Lateen sail

Triangular sail allowing sailing against the wind.

Civil service exam

Confucian-based exam system for government officials.

Foot binding

Practice limiting women's mobility; symbol of status.

Sinification: Korea

Heavy adoption of Chinese culture and government.

Sinification: Japan

Selective borrowing of Chinese culture; kept native traditions.

Sinification: Vietnam

Adopted Chinese systems but resisted cultural domination.

Dar al-Islam

Regions where Islam is dominant culturally and politically.

Shari'a Law

Islamic legal system based on Quran and Hadith.

Jizya

Tax on non-Muslims under Islamic rule.

Shia vs. Sunni

Split over leadership: Shia = descendants of Ali; Sunni = chosen caliphs.

Abbasid Caliphate

Golden Age of Islamic science, culture, and trade.

Delhi Sultanate

Muslim rule in India blending Islamic and Indian culture.

Advances in mathematics

Algebra, geometry, trigonometry.

Advances in medicine

Hospitals, surgical techniques, medical encyclopedias.

House of Wisdom

Baghdad center for learning and translation.

Dhows

Arab ships with lateen sails used in Indian Ocean trade.

Bhakti movement

Hindu devotional movement emphasizing personal worship.

Sufism

Mystical Islam focused on spirituality and missionary work.

Srivijaya Empire

Maritime Buddhist empire controlling Indonesian trade routes.

Khmer Empire

Southeast Asian empire known for Angkor Wat.

Majapahit Empire

Java kingdom dominating Indian Ocean trade.

Sukhothai kingdom

Early Thai kingdom known for art and Buddhism.

Angkor Wat

Massive Hindu/Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia.

Maya city-states

Independent cities with advanced writing and astronomy.

Mexica / Aztecs

Empire using tribute and human sacrifice.

Inca

Andean empire with roads, terraces, and centralized rule.

Mesa Verde

Cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Chinampas

Aztec floating gardens for agriculture.

Maize

Staple crop supporting population growth.

Quipu

Inca knotted-string record-keeping system.

Great Zimbabwe

Stone city controlling gold trade.

Ethiopia

Christian kingdom with long religious traditions.

Mali / Mansa Musa

Wealthy West African empire; Mansa Musa's hajj showed immense wealth.

Decentralization

Weak central authority; power held by nobles.

Feudalism

System of lords, vassals, and land for loyalty.

Serfdom

Peasants tied to land providing labor.

Magna Carta

Document limiting English king's power.

Crusades

Christian military campaigns increasing trade and cultural exchange.

Samarkand

Major Silk Road city of trade and learning.

Paper money / Banking houses

Financial tools enabling long-distance trade.

Caravanserai

Inns for merchants along trade routes.

Credit

System allowing borrowing and repayment.

Luxury goods

Silk, porcelain, spices, precious metals.

Chinggis Khan

Founder of Mongol Empire.

Golden Horde

Mongol rule in Russia.

Khubilai Khan

Mongol ruler of China; founded Yuan Dynasty.

Yuan Dynasty / Great Khanate

Mongol rule over China.

Bubonic plague

Disease spread via trade routes; caused massive population decline.

Pax Mongolia

Mongol peace enabling safe trade.

Swahili City-States

East African trade cities blending Bantu + Arab culture.

Malacca

Key Southeast Asian trade port.

Arab impact in East Africa

Spread Islam; created Swahili culture.

Chinese impact in SE Asia

Tribute missions; cultural influence.

Zheng He

Ming admiral leading massive voyages.

Monsoon winds

Seasonal winds enabling predictable sailing.

Camel saddle

Allowed control of camels for desert travel.

Caravans

Groups traveling across Sahara.

Gold / salt / slaves

Main West African trade goods.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler describing Yuan China.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim traveler documenting Dar al-Islam.

Bananas into Africa

From SE Asia; boosted African population.

Citrus to Mediterranean

Spread via Islamic trade networks.