AP World History: Modern - Weeks 1–4 Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering AP World History Modern study concepts including regional terminology, source analysis, ancient trade networks, belief systems, AP historical skills, and Song Dynasty China.

Historiography

The study of how and why historical narratives are created.

Primary Source

Direct evidence from the time or event itself, such as a letter from Emiliano Zapata, a photo, or a video of the moment.

Secondary Source

Analysis of historical evidence made after the fact, such as a historian's book analyzing Zapata, an interview, or a news report.

Tertiary Source

A general overview of a topic, such as an encyclopedia entry, social media, a biography film, or a summary.

A → E → E Structure

The recommended response structure for AP-style SAQs consisting of: Answer directly → Evidence → Explain the connection.

Context

The broader circumstances surrounding an event, including political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors.

State

A political organization that shares consensus, territory, and culture, and exercises legitimate domination of territories beyond the state itself.

Hinduism (Central Concept)

Dharma / Karma

Buddhism (Central Concept)

Nirvana

Confucianism (Central Concept)

Order and duty

Daoism (Central Concept)

Harmony

Judaism (Central Concept)

Covenant

Christianity (Central Concept)

Salvation

Islam (Central Concept)

Submission to God

Silk Roads

A trade network spanning China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe that traded lightweight, luxury goods such as silk, porcelain, and gold.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

A trade network connecting North Africa and West Africa that traded gold, salt, and slaves.

Mesoamerican Trade Network

A trade network in Mexico and Central America trading obsidian and cacao.

Comparison (AP Skill)

An AP skill that answers the question: 'What is similar and what is different?'

Causation (AP Skill)

An AP skill that answers the questions: 'Why did something happen? What resulted from it?'

Continuity (AP Skill)

An AP skill that answers the question: 'What stayed relatively stable over time?'

Change (AP Skill)

An AP skill that answers the question: 'What became different over time?'

Northern Song

The period of the Song Dynasty lasting from 960–1127 with its capital at Kaifeng.

Southern Song

The period of the Song Dynasty lasting from 1127–1279 with its capital at Hangzhou.

The Song Paradox

The situation in Song China where the empire was very wealthy, advanced, and highly populated, but remained militarily vulnerable to persistent pressure from powerful northern peoples.

Song Taizu

First Song emperor (r. 960–976) who reduced military commanders' political power and replaced them with civil administration in the provinces to prevent military overthrows.

Li 禮

Shared rules and rituals in Confucian logic.

Ren 仁

Concern for others / humaneness-benevolence in Confucian logic.

The Five Confucian Relationships

Hierarchical social relationships: 1. Ruler → Subject, 2. Father → Son, 3. Husband → Wife, 4. Older sibling → Younger sibling, 5. Friend ↔ Friend (the only relationship between equals).

Civil Service Examinations

A merit-based system in Song China based on education that replaced aristocratic inherited privilege with a ruling class of educated scholar-officials.