AP World Summer Vocabulary

Assimilation

the process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture, customs and attitudes of another group, often leading to a loss of their original cultural identity

Artisan

A skilled craftsperson who creates handmade goods or works in a trade

Autonomy

the ability or right of individuals or groups to make their own choices and govern themselves without external control.

Bureaucracy

a system of government or management marked by strict rules, procedures, and hierarchy, often focused on the administration of policies and regulations.

Centralized government

A system of governance where decision-making and authority are concentrated in a central organization or group.

Clergy

the body of officials who perform religious services and conduct spiritual activities within a faith community.

Commerce

the activity of buying and selling goods and services, often on a large scale, and includes trade and business transactions.

Cosmopolitan

a descriptor for a community that has a diverse population and a blend of customs, languages and cuisines

Decentralized government

a system of governance where powers and responsibilities are distributed away from a central authority, allowing for local autonomy and participation in decision-making.

Demographic

related to the statistical study of populations, including their size, distribution, density, and growth.

Diaspora

the spread of a group of people from their original homeland to different places around the world

Diffusion

Domestic

pertaining to something within a particular country, especially related to its internal affairs.

Dynasty

a sequence of rulers from the same family or lineage, often governing a particular territory or empire

Egalitarian

relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Hierarchy

a system of organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

Indigenous

relating to the original inhabitants of a region or their culture and traditions.

Infrastructure

the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, including transportation, communication, sewage, water, and electric systems.

Legitimize

to make something acceptable, valid, or lawful, often by formal recognition or authorization.

Marginalized

to make a group or individual less important or relegated to a secondary status in society.

Maritime

relating to the sea and navigation

Matrilineal

related to inheritance through the mother's lineage, where family ties are traced through maternal ancestors.

Nomadic

describing a lifestyle characterized by frequent movement or travel in search of food, water, or pasture.

Oppressed

subjected to harsh treatment, suffering, or unjust control by a more powerful group or authority.

Pastoral

relating to the herding of livestock and a lifestyle that often involves moving animals to different grazing areas.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power and roles in leadership, moral authority, and control of property.

Piety

showing deep respect for religious beliefs and practices, as well as for moral values and ethical responsibilities.

Secular

attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Sedentary

a lifestyle characterized by permanent settlement for the purpose of farming

Stratification

the degree of separation into various social groups based on factors like wealth, race, or education levels.

Surplus

having more of something than is needed or used, especially in reference to extra food or resources.

Theology

the study of the nature of the divine, religious beliefs, and practices.

Urbanization

the process by which cities grow and populations shift from rural areas to urban centers

Abdicate

to renounce one's throne or give up a position of power, especially a monarch voluntarily stepping down.

Administrative

relating to the organization and management of public or private affairs.

Agrarian

pertaining to agriculture, farming, or rural land use.

Appease

to placate or satisfy someone, often by giving in to their demands or wishes, especially to maintain peace or avoid conflict.

Aristocracy

the nobility or privileged class; also used to describe a government in which power is held by elites

Capital

Wealth or resources used for investment or production.

Cartography

The art and science of map-making, which includes the representation of geographical information and spatial data.

Censorship

The suppression or restriction of information, ideas, or communication by authorities, often for political or social reasons.

Colony

A territory or region controlled by a foreign power, often settled by migrants from that power.

Conscription

The mandatory enlistment of individuals into military service, often during times of war or national emergency.

Coerced Labor

Labor that is obtained through force or threats, often in violation of individuals' rights, typically seen in systems like slavery or indentured servitude.

Coup

A sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government, often executed by a small group or military force.

Despot

A ruler with absolute power, often characterized by oppressive or tyrannical governance.

Dissent

The expression or holding of opinions that differ from those officially recognized or established, often in a political context.

Divine Right

The doctrine that a monarch derives their right to rule directly from God, and is not subject to earthly authority.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Edict

An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority, often relating to laws or regulations.

Elite

A group or class of persons higher in status, power, or quality than others.

Emancipate

To free someone from restraint or control, especially from slavery or oppression.

Empire

A large political unit or state, often ruled by a single sovereign authority, that controls extensive territories and diverse populations.

Epidemic

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Gentry

The class of people in a society who are well-to-do, often landowners, but not part of the nobility.

Ideology

A set of beliefs or principles that guide individuals or groups in understanding the world and influencing their actions.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Interregional

pertaining to interactions, exchanges, or relationships between different regions or areas.

Mercenary

A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army, often motivated by monetary compensation rather than loyalty to a nation.

Monarchy

A form of government where a single ruler, such as a king or queen, holds power (often hereditary)

Monopoly

A market structure in which a single company or group is the only provider of a good or service, giving it complete control over supply and prices.

Monotheism

The belief in the existence of only one god

Patronage

The support or financial aid that an individual or organization provides to another individual, group, or institution, often in the arts or politics.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods.

Republic

A form of government in which elected leaders represent the people and make decisions on their behalf

Scribe

A person trained in writing and record-keeping, often employed in administrative roles in ancient societies.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections

Syncretism

The blending of different religious, cultural, or philosophical traditions, often resulting in new practices or beliefs.