AP World Semester 1

Song Dynasty

A period in China (960-1279) marked by significant technological and economic growth.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route connecting China with the West, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

Delhi Sultanate

A key Muslim empire in India (1206-1526) that extended control over northern India.

Feudalism

A political structure in Europe based on land ownership and the mutual obligations of lords and vassals.

Mali Empire

A powerful empire in Africa known for its wealth from gold and salt trade.

Aztec Empire

A Mesoamerican civilization known for its agricultural systems and complex religious practices.

Inc a Empire

An empire in South America known for its extensive road network and terraced agriculture.

Srivijaya

A maritime kingdom that controlled the Malacca Strait and facilitated trade between India and China.

Mongol Empire

The largest contiguous land empire in history, established by Genghis Khan, spanning much of Asia.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of goods, animals, diseases, and people between the Old World and the New World following European colonization.

Gold

A key economic motivation for exploration, driving European states to seek new territories.

Gunpowder

A significant military technology used by empires like the Ottomans and Mongols to consolidate power.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, facilitated by trade routes.

Astrolabe

A navigational tool that measures the angle of the sun or stars above the horizon, crucial for determining latitude.

Compass

A navigational instrument that shows direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles, revolutionizing seafaring.

Caravel

A small, fast ship developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century, designed for exploration.

Gunpowder

A key technological advancement that transformed warfare in both Europe and Asia.

Christianity

A significant religious motivation behind exploration, particularly by explorers from Spain and Portugal.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of trading and accumulating wealth through colonies.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire that facilitated trade across Eurasia.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade across the Sahara Desert linking West African kingdoms with the Mediterranean world.

Vasco da Gama

A Portuguese explorer who successfully sailed to India in 1498, establishing a trade network.

Ferdinand Magellan

An explorer whose expedition was the first to circumnavigate the globe, providing new insights on global geography.

Crusades

Military campaigns initiated by European Christians to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control.

Caste System

A rigid social hierarchy in India that defined individuals' roles in society.

Cultural Exchange

The process where different cultures share and adopt elements from one another.

Mansa Musa

The leader of the Mali Empire known for his wealth, pilgrimage to Mecca, and promotion of education and Islam.