AP World History Unit A Terms

The Old Stone Age ending in 12,000 B.C.E; identified by the initial use of evolving stone tools and hunting and gathering to survive

Paleolithic Age

8500-3500 B.C.E - Technological advances and evolution in human organization that led to the emergence of agricultural lifestyles, where people would settle in one place and grow food for themselves

Neolithic Revolution

The New Stone Age between 8000 and 5000 B.C.E.; period in which adaptation of sedentary agriculture occurred; domestication of plants and animals accomplished.

Neolithic Age

4000-3000 B.C.E - Use of more advanced agricultural technology such as plows, metalworking, the development of wheeled vehicles, and the emergence of writing.

Bronze Age

Societies distinguished by reliance on sedentary agriculture, ability to produce food surpluses, and existence of nonfarming elites, as well as merchant and manufacturing groups.

Civilization

Translates to "between the rivers" - Describes the civilizations that arose in the alluvial (left by running waters) plains of the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys.

Mesopotamia

A type of writing developed by the Sumerians using a wedge-shaped stylus and clay tablets

Cuneiform

Massive towers usually associated with Mesopotamian temple complexes.

Ziggurats

Usually found in Mesopotamian civilizations, this political structure involves agricultural hinterlands (areas outside of the main settlement" being ruled by an urban-based king

The city functions as a state, controlling the territory within and around it.

City-State

Proclaimed by Hammurabi, this was one of the most complete and earliest codes (a set of laws). This code was known for strict rules on social relations and family structures within ancient Indian civilizations.

Hammurabi's Code

Meaning that all parts of society (political, economic, cultural) are ruled by MEN

Patriarchal

Created by the Zhou Dynasty, this mandate claimed that there should only be one true ruler of China at a time, and that they had the "blessing of the gods".

If a ruler lost this mandate, it means that they had "fallen out of grace with the gods", and that they are unfit to rule China.

Mandate of Heaven

When a religion believes in ONE GOD

introduced by the Jews into Western civilization.

Monotheism

A major Chinese philosophy centered around respecting and obeying patriarchal authorities to create harmony in society.

Claimed that respect, especially for elders (filial piety) was key to create a harmonious society

Confucianism

Creator of a major Indian and Asian religion; born in the 6th century B.C.E.; taught that enlightenment could be achieved only by abandoning desires for earthly things.

Buddha

Hellenistic culture blending Indian, Persian, Egyptian, and Greek beliefs together as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests in Afro Eurasia.

Hellenism

The Greatest Mauryan ruler; grandson of Chandragupta Maurya; extended conquests of the dynasty; converted to Buddhism and sponsored its spread throughout his empire.

His rule was key in the diffusion of Buddhism.

Ashoka

A Chinese social class, which was comprised of noble landowners who were educated in order to hold government positions.

Confucianism played a role in this education process.

Scholar-gentry

The balanced constitution of Rome from c. 510 to 47 B.C.E.; featured an aristocratic Senate, a panel of magistrates, and several popular assemblies.

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From 510 to 47 B.C.E - the city-state of Rome existed as a republican government

Roman republic

Dictator of the Roman republic who effectively ended the republic and, with his successor Augustus, transformed it into an empire.

Julius Caesar

The Roman emperor from 312-337 C.E., who established second capital at Constantinople, and he also attempted to use religious force of Christianity to spiritually unify the Roman empire.

Constantine

A city-state form of government existing primarily in Greek political structures from 800 to 400 B.C.E

Polis

A kingdom in the Ethiopan highlands which was converted to Christianity after trading with the Romans

Key in the diffusion of Christianity to Ethiopia (located in Africa).

Axum