AP World History Units 1-9 Simple Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards summarizing key concepts, events, and definitions across various historical units ranging from the Song Dynasty in China to modern globalization.

Meritocracy

A political system where individuals are selected for government positions based on demonstrated ability and talent, primarily through civil service examinations.

Grand Canal

A massive artificial waterway connecting northern and southern China, improving transportation and trade.

Gunpowder

An explosive mixture invented in China, originally for fireworks, later used for military purposes.

Champa Rice

A fast-ripening rice strain introduced from Vietnam that increased agricultural productivity in China.

Woodblock Printing

A printing method using carved wooden blocks that lowered costs for reproducing books.

Filial Piety

A core Confucian virtue emphasizing respect and duty children owe to their parents and elders.

Tribute Nations

Regions like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam that acknowledged China's supremacy through periodic tribute.

Daimyo

Powerful feudal lords in Japan who controlled landholdings and maintained samurai armies.

Scholar Gentry

An educated social class in the Song Dynasty serving as bureaucrats after passing civil service exams.

Song Dynasty Achievements

A period marked by advancements in technology, culture, and economy between 960-1279 CE.

General Principles of Islam

Monotheistic religion centered on the belief in one God and the teachings of the Quran.

Mamluks

Turkic slave soldiers who established a dynasty in Egypt and repelled Mongol invasions.

Seljuk Turks

Nomadic Turkic people who migrated into the Middle East and expanded the Islamic territory.

Mongols

Nomadic pastoralists who created the largest contiguous land empire in history.

Abbasid Dynasty

A dynasty that oversaw a golden age of Islamic culture, science, and trade based in Baghdad.

Umayyad Dynasty

The first great Muslim dynasty known for territorial expansion and governance from Damascus.

Spread of Islam

Islam spread rapidly through trade, military conquest, and missionary work.

Muhammad

The last prophet in Islam whose revelations are foundational to the Quran.

Sunni Islam

Sect of Islam advocating that the caliph should be chosen by consensus from the community.

Shia Islam

Sect of Islam believing that leadership should pass through Muhammad's direct descendants.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic belief system focusing on personal experience of God.

Monotheistic vs. Polytheistic

Islam asserts the oneness of God, contrary to polytheistic religions.

Chola Dynasty

A powerful South Indian empire known for its naval strength and trade.

Vijayanagara Empire

A dominant Hindu empire in South India known for agricultural productivity.

Rajput Kingdoms

Hindu warrior kingdoms in Northern India known for martial traditions.

Delhi Sultanate

A series of Islamic dynasties ruling parts of India, introducing significant cultural changes.

Srivijaya

A maritime power based in Sumatra that controlled trade between India and China.

Majapahit

A Hindu-Buddhist empire on Java that influenced trade in Southeast Asia.

Jizya Tax

A tax levied by Islamic states on non-Muslims, often seen as a protective payment.

Hinduism

A diverse family of religions originating in India characterized by karma and dharma.

Caste System

A rigid social hierarchy in Hindu society determining status and occupation.

Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Maritime routes crucial for trade between regions, fostering significant exchanges.

Aztec Empire

An influential pre-Columbian Mesoamerican empire known for its market economy and tribute system.

Inca Empire

A highly centralized South American empire known for its expansive road system and agricultural innovation.

Mita System

A labor system in the Inca Empire requiring communities to contribute labor for state projects.

Kin-Based Networks

Decentralized community structures in sub-Saharan Africa based on extended family ties.

Trans-Saharan Trade

A major network connecting sub-Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean, characterized by camel transport.

Mali Empire

A wealthy West African empire that controlled trade routes and promoted Islam.

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval city in Africa known for its impressive stone structures and trade connections.

Feudalism

A hierarchical system of land ownership and duty characterized by decentralized governance.

Magna Carta

A foundational English charter limiting the power of the monarchy and establishing legal principles.

Great Schism

The division of Christianity into Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Crusades

A series of religious wars aimed at recovering the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Decentralization under Feudalism

A political system where power is dispersed among local rulers.

Silk Road Reemergence

The revival of trade routes during the Pax Mongolica, enhancing cultural exchanges.

Kashgar and Samarkand

Vital trade and cultural centers along the Silk Road.

Caravanserais

Roadside inns along trade routes ensuring safety and rest for merchants and animals.

Silk Road Items Traded

Goods traded included silk, spices, precious metals, and cultural exchanges.

Genghis Khan

Founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, known for his military strategies.

Mongol Warfare

A highly mobile and strategic military approach leveraging surprise and speed.

Mongol Social Policies

Post-conquest policies that allowed cultural tolerance and local autonomy.

Batu Khan

Founded the Golden Horde and controlled regions of Russia in the 13th century.

Hulegu Khan

Established the Il-Khanate, significantly impacting Persian culture and Islam.

Kublai Khan

Conqueror of the Song Dynasty, establishing the Yuan Dynasty in China.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace under Mongol rule that facilitated trade and cultural exchange.

Mongols as Nomadic People

A group that focused on herding and mobility, influencing their military organization.

Indian Ocean Trade Route Location

A network connecting East Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Items on Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Trade included spices, textiles, and cultural exchanges.

Role of Monsoons

Seasonal winds critical for navigation in Indian Ocean trade.

Sultanate of Melacca

A strategic port city that became a significant trading hub in Southeast Asia.

Indian Ocean Trade Effects

Fostered economic growth and cultural exchanges among diverse regions.

Urban Centers and Trade Growth (1200-1450 CE)

A period marked by development in urban hubs driven by increased trade and specialization.

Emergence of Swahili States

Cultural and commercial entities along East Africa's coast resulting from trade.

Powers Trading in Indian Ocean Basin

Major traders included China, Middle Eastern merchants, and later European powers.

Predominant Religion in North Africa

Islam became the dominant religion spread by trade routes.

Importance of Camels in Trans-Saharan Trade

Their unique adaptations made them vital for desert transportation.

Location of Trans-Saharan Routes

Trade routes connecting sub-Saharan Africa with North African and Mediterranean trade.

Items on Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Gold, salt, and enslaved people were key commodities exchanged.

Empires in West Africa

Mali, Ghana, and others flourished by controlling and engaging in the Trans-Saharan trade.

Spread of Religions

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam dispersed across regions through trade and cultural exchanges.

Chinese Innovations

Papermaking, gunpowder, and printing significantly influenced global advancements.

Travels of Marco Polo

Documented experiences between China and Europe, impacting European perceptions.

Black Death

A pandemic caused by Yersinia pestis that significantly decreased the population.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires like the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal known for their military power.

Characteristics of Gunpowder Empires

Cultural advancements and varying governance styles, yet all benefitted from trade.

Decline of Gunpowder Empires

Factors included military overreach, economic challenges, and internal dissent.

Taxation Systems in Land-Based Empires

Diverse approaches utilized to fund military and administration; affected stability.

Battle of Lepanto

A decisive naval victory limiting Ottoman expansion into Western Europe.

Siege of Vienna

Failed Ottoman attempt marking the peak of their Central European expansion.

Louis XIV and Kangxi Similarities

Both centralized power and navigated challenges to their authority.

Legitimizing Power through Architecture

Rulers built grand structures to symbolize their authority and deter opposition.

Roles of Various Groups

Different societal roles influenced governance structures in various regions.

Increased Centralization

Trend towards strong monarchies seeking greater control over their states.

Importance of Religion in Monarchies

Religion often legitimized monarchical power through divine right claims.

Portugal's Role in Asian Trade

Pioneered maritime routes, established control over trade against existing powers.

Protestant Reformation

Movement challenging the Roman Catholic Church's authority, leading to diverse denominations.

Tokugawa Shogunate Emergence

Centralized rule leading to stability in Japan during the Edo period.

Ming Dynasty in China

Renowned for cultural flourishing and naval expeditions before decline.

Italian City-States and Trade

Powerful economic intermediaries in the Mediterranean, boosting trade and the Renaissance.

Peter and Catherine’s Westernization

Influential reforms aimed at modernizing Russia to align with European standards.

Bureaucracies in Qing and Ottoman Empires

Sophisticated administrations ensuring stability and governance across diverse territories.

Increased Professionalization of Militaries

Shift towards disciplined standing armies enhancing direct state control.

Key Powers in the Age of Exploration

Portugal, Spain, England, France expanded their empires through exploration.

Motivations for Sailing to the Americas

Gold, glory, and God drove European exploration and colonization efforts.

Transition to Trans-Atlantic Trade

Emergence of new trade systems overshadowing previous regional networks.

First Power to Initiate Transoceanic Trade

Portugal established direct maritime routes to Asia, revolutionizing trade.

First Explorer to Circumnavigate the Globe

Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition provided proof of the Earth’s size.

Increased Knowledge of Ocean Currents

Crucial for navigation, enhancing long-distance maritime travel efficiency.

Dutch and British East India Companies

Joint stock companies enabling significant investment and trade in Asia.

Columbian Exchange

Widespread transfer of goods, peoples, and ideas between the Old World and the New.