AP World Vocab

Song Dynasty

A significant period in Chinese history (960-1279) characterized by advancements in technology, culture, and administration, including the development of movable type printing and the emergence of Neo-Confucianism.

A significant period in Chinese history (960-1279) characterized by advancements in technology, culture, and administration, including the development of movable type printing and the emergence of Neo-Confucianism.

Song Dynasty

Imperial bureaucracy

A hierarchical administrative system within a centralized government, typically employed in ancient empires, where officials are appointed based on merit and tasked with managing various aspects of governance.

A hierarchical administrative system within a centralized government, typically employed in ancient empires, where officials are appointed based on merit and tasked with managing various aspects of governance.

Imperial bureaucracy

meritocracy

A system of governance or social organization in which individuals advance or are rewarded based on their abilities, talents, and achievements rather than factors such as wealth, social status, or family background.

A system of governance or social organization in which individuals advance or are rewarded based on their abilities, talents, and achievements rather than factors such as wealth, social status, or family background.

meritocracy

Grand Canal

A vast artificial waterway system in China, constructed over multiple dynastic periods, connecting Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south, facilitating transportation, trade, and communication across the country.

A vast artificial waterway system in China, constructed over multiple dynastic periods, connecting Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south, facilitating transportation, trade, and communication across the country.

Grand Canal

Champa rice

A drought-resistant strain of rice originating from the Champa kingdom in present-day Vietnam, known for its high yields and significant impact on agricultural productivity in East Asia during the medieval period.

A drought-resistant strain of rice originating from the Champa kingdom in present-day Vietnam, known for its high yields and significant impact on agricultural productivity in East Asia during the medieval period.

Champa rice

proto-industrialization

A phase in economic development characterized by the emergence of rural industries and decentralized production systems that precede the full-scale industrialization, often marked by the transition from agrarian-based economies to early forms of manufacturing.

A phase in economic development characterized by the emergence of rural industries and decentralized production systems that precede the full-scale industrialization, often marked by the transition from agrarian-based economies to early forms of manufacturing.

proto-industrialization

artisans

Skilled craftspeople who create objects or goods by hand, often employing traditional techniques and expertise in a specific craft or trade.

Skilled craftspeople who create objects or goods by hand, often employing traditional techniques and expertise in a specific craft or trade.

artisans

scholar gentry

An educated class in traditional Chinese society, composed of scholars and officials who held significant influence in politics, culture, and governance based on their Confucian learning and bureaucratic positions.

An educated class in traditional Chinese society, composed of scholars and officials who held significant influence in politics, culture, and governance based on their Confucian learning and bureaucratic positions.

scholar gentry

foot binding

A practice in ancient China involving tightly wrapping young girls' feet to prevent normal growth, resulting in permanently deformed and painfully small feet, often seen as a symbol of beauty and status.

A practice in ancient China involving tightly wrapping young girls' feet to prevent normal growth, resulting in permanently deformed and painfully small feet, often seen as a symbol of beauty and status.

foot binding

woodblock printing

A printing technique in which images or text are carved into a wooden block's surface, which is then inked and pressed onto paper or fabric to produce multiple copies of the same design.

A printing technique in which images or text are carved into a wooden block's surface, which is then inked and pressed onto paper or fabric to produce multiple copies of the same design.

woodblock printing

Buddhism

A major world religion and philosophy that encompasses a variety of beliefs and practices founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, emphasizing the path to enlightenment and the alleviation of suffering through moral conduct, meditation, and insight.

A major world religion and philosophy that encompasses a variety of beliefs and practices founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, emphasizing the path to enlightenment and the alleviation of suffering through moral conduct, meditation, and insight.

Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism

A school of Buddhism primarily practiced in South and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the original teachings of the Buddha and the importance of individual enlightenment through meditation and moral conduct.

A school of Buddhism primarily practiced in South and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the original teachings of the Buddha and the importance of individual enlightenment through meditation and moral conduct.

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

A major branch of Buddhism practiced primarily in East Asia, which emphasizes the universal potential for enlightenment and the pursuit of compassion and wisdom for the benefit of all sentient beings.

A major branch of Buddhism practiced primarily in East Asia, which emphasizes the universal potential for enlightenment and the pursuit of compassion and wisdom for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Mahayana Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism

A distinct form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet and the Himalayan regions, characterized by its incorporation of indigenous Tibetan beliefs, rituals, and practices, along with teachings from Indian Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.

A distinct form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet and the Himalayan regions, characterized by its incorporation of indigenous Tibetan beliefs, rituals, and practices, along with teachings from Indian Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.

Tibetan Buddhism

syncretic

The blending or combination of different beliefs, traditions, or practices from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds into a unified system or ideology.

The blending or combination of different beliefs, traditions, or practices from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds into a unified system or ideology.

syncretic

Chan (Zen) Buddhism

A school of Mahayana Buddhism characterized by its emphasis on meditation, direct insight into one's true nature, and the use of enigmatic teaching methods such as koans to provoke enlightenment experiences.

A school of Mahayana Buddhism characterized by its emphasis on meditation, direct insight into one's true nature, and the use of enigmatic teaching methods such as koans to provoke enlightenment experiences.

Chan (Zen) Buddhism

filial piety

A Confucian virtue emphasizing the respect, obedience, and care that children are expected to show towards their parents and elders, considered a fundamental aspect of family and social harmony in traditional East Asian cultures.

A Confucian virtue emphasizing the respect, obedience, and care that children are expected to show towards their parents and elders, considered a fundamental aspect of family and social harmony in traditional East Asian cultures.

filial piety

Neo-Confucianism

A philosophical and ethical system that emerged in China during the Song Dynasty, combining Confucian principles with elements of Taoism and Buddhism, emphasizing moral cultivation, self-discipline, and the pursuit of a harmonious society.

A philosophical and ethical system that emerged in China during the Song Dynasty, combining Confucian principles with elements of Taoism and Buddhism, emphasizing moral cultivation, self-discipline, and the pursuit of a harmonious society.

Neo-Confucianism

Heian period

In Japanese history (794-1185), characterized by the establishment of the imperial capital in Heian-kyō (present-day Kyoto), a flourishing of arts and literature, and the emergence of a distinct courtly culture influenced by Chinese traditions.

In Japanese history (794-1185), characterized by the establishment of the imperial capital in Heian-kyō (present-day Kyoto), a flourishing of arts and literature, and the emergence of a distinct courtly culture influenced by Chinese traditions.

Heian period

nuclear families

Parents and their children living together in one household, typically representing the basic unit of kinship and domestic structure in many societies.

Parents and their children living together in one household, typically representing the basic unit of kinship and domestic structure in many societies.

nuclear families

polygyny

A marital system in which a man has multiple wives simultaneously, often practiced in various cultures around the world throughout history.

A marital system in which a man has multiple wives simultaneously, often practiced in various cultures around the world throughout history.

polygyny

Mamluk Sultanate

A medieval Islamic state in Egypt and Syria, characterized by its military slave caste, the Mamluks, who eventually seized power and ruled as sultans from the 13th to the 16th century.

A medieval Islamic state in Egypt and Syria, characterized by its military slave caste, the Mamluks, who eventually seized power and ruled as sultans from the 13th to the 16th century.

Mamluk Sultanate

Seljuk Turks

A medieval Turkic Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled over a vast empire encompassing Anatolia, Persia, and parts of the Middle East from the 11th to the 13th century.

A medieval Turkic Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled over a vast empire encompassing Anatolia, Persia, and parts of the Middle East from the 11th to the 13th century.

Seljuk Turks

sultan

A title for a ruler or leader in various Islamic states, historically denoting sovereign authority and often associated with political and military leadership.

A title for a ruler or leader in various Islamic states, historically denoting sovereign authority and often associated with political and military leadership.

sultan

Mongols

A nomadic pastoralist people from the Central Asian steppes who, under leaders like Genghis Khan, established one of the largest land empires in history during the 13th and 14th centuries.

A nomadic pastoralist people from the Central Asian steppes who, under leaders like Genghis Khan, established one of the largest land empires in history during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Mongols

Abbasid Caliphate

A dynasty of caliphs who ruled over the Islamic world from 750 to 1258, presiding over a golden age of Islamic civilization characterized by advancements in science, culture, and governance centered in Baghdad.

A dynasty of caliphs who ruled over the Islamic world from 750 to 1258, presiding over a golden age of Islamic civilization characterized by advancements in science, culture, and governance centered in Baghdad.

Abbasid Caliphate

Mamluks

An elite military caste composed of slave soldiers, predominantly of Turkic and Circassian origin, who rose to power and established their own ruling dynasties in Egypt and Syria during the medieval period.

An elite military caste composed of slave soldiers, predominantly of Turkic and Circassian origin, who rose to power and established their own ruling dynasties in Egypt and Syria during the medieval period.

Mamluks

Muhammad

The founder of Islam and is considered by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God to guide humanity, as revealed in the Quran.

The founder of Islam and is considered by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God to guide humanity, as revealed in the Quran.

Muhammad

Crusaders

European Christian military expeditions during the Middle Ages, launched with the aim of capturing the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control.

European Christian military expeditions during the Middle Ages, launched with the aim of capturing the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control.

Crusaders

Sufis

A mystical branch of Islam emphasizing the inward search for God's love and wisdom through practices such as meditation, chanting, and asceticism.

A mystical branch of Islam emphasizing the inward search for God's love and wisdom through practices such as meditation, chanting, and asceticism.

Sufis

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, where scholars from various cultures translated and preserved classical Greek, Persian, and Indian texts, while also making significant advancements in science, philosophy, and literature.

A major intellectual center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, where scholars from various cultures translated and preserved classical Greek, Persian, and Indian texts, while also making significant advancements in science, philosophy, and literature.

House of Wisdom

Baghdad

The capital city of Iraq and was once a major center of learning and culture during the Islamic Golden Age, renowned for its libraries, scholars, and architectural marvels.

The capital city of Iraq and was once a major center of learning and culture during the Islamic Golden Age, renowned for its libraries, scholars, and architectural marvels.

Baghdad

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

A Persian polymath, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, and theologian whose works made significant contributions to various fields, including astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy, during the Islamic Golden Age.

A Persian polymath, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, and theologian whose works made significant contributions to various fields, including astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy, during the Islamic Golden Age.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah

A prominent Sufi poet and mystic from Syria, known for her prolific literary output and spiritual teachings, particularly in the 16th century.

A prominent Sufi poet and mystic from Syria, known for her prolific literary output and spiritual teachings, particularly in the 16th century.

'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah

Vijayanagara Empire

A powerful Hindu empire that flourished in Southern India from the 14th to the 17th century, known for its significant contributions to art, architecture, and culture, particularly in the Deccan region.

A powerful Hindu empire that flourished in Southern India from the 14th to the 17th century, known for its significant contributions to art, architecture, and culture, particularly in the Deccan region.

Vijayanagara Empire

Rajput kingdoms (North India)

A collection of feudal states in the Indian subcontinent, primarily in the region of present-day Rajasthan, characterized by their warrior ethos, chivalry, and valor, historically playing a crucial role in Indian history and culture.

A collection of feudal states in the Indian subcontinent, primarily in the region of present-day Rajasthan, characterized by their warrior ethos, chivalry, and valor, historically playing a crucial role in Indian history and culture.

Rajput kingdoms (North India)

Delhi Sultanate

A series of Islamic sultanates based in Delhi, India, spanning from the 13th to the 16th century, which played a significant role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent.

A series of Islamic sultanates based in Delhi, India, spanning from the 13th to the 16th century, which played a significant role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent.

Delhi Sultanate

Srivijaya Empire

A maritime and commercial power in Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 14th century, centered in Sumatra, Indonesia, known for its control over strategic sea routes and its influence on regional trade and culture.

A maritime and commercial power in Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 14th century, centered in Sumatra, Indonesia, known for its control over strategic sea routes and its influence on regional trade and culture.

Srivijaya Empire

Majapahit Kingdom

A powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire that flourished in Java, Indonesia, from the late 13th to the early 16th century, known for its maritime prowess, extensive trade networks, and cultural achievements.

A powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire that flourished in Java, Indonesia, from the late 13th to the early 16th century, known for its maritime prowess, extensive trade networks, and cultural achievements.

Majapahit Kingdom

Sinhala dynasties

Ruling families in Sri Lanka, predominantly of Sinhalese ethnicity, who governed various regions of the island over different historical periods, shaping its politics, culture, and society.

Ruling families in Sri Lanka, predominantly of Sinhalese ethnicity, who governed various regions of the island over different historical periods, shaping its politics, culture, and society.

Sinhala dynasties

Khmer Empire (Cambodia)

A powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire that flourished in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century, known for its grand capital at Angkor and its monumental architectural achievements, including Angkor Wat.

A powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire that flourished in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century, known for its grand capital at Angkor and its monumental architectural achievements, including Angkor Wat.

Khmer Empire (Cambodia)

Sukhothai Kingdom

A medieval Siamese kingdom in present-day Thailand, known for its cultural and political significance as a precursor to the establishment of the Thai nation-state and for promoting Theravada Buddhism.

A medieval Siamese kingdom in present-day Thailand, known for its cultural and political significance as a precursor to the establishment of the Thai nation-state and for promoting Theravada Buddhism.

Sukhothai Kingdom

proselytize

To actively promote or attempt to convert others to a particular religion, belief, or ideology through persuasion or advocacy.

To actively promote or attempt to convert others to a particular religion, belief, or ideology through persuasion or advocacy.

proselytize

Bhakti Movement

A devotional movement that emerged in medieval India, emphasizing personal devotion to a chosen deity, often through song, poetry, and ritual practices, transcending caste and religious boundaries.

A devotional movement that emerged in medieval India, emphasizing personal devotion to a chosen deity, often through song, poetry, and ritual practices, transcending caste and religious boundaries.

Bhakti Movement

Qutub Minar

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi, India, characterized by its towering minaret, built in the early 13th century, representing Indo-Islamic architecture and serving as a symbol of Delhi's rich historical and cultural heritage.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi, India, characterized by its towering minaret, built in the early 13th century, representing Indo-Islamic architecture and serving as a symbol of Delhi's rich historical and cultural heritage.

Qutub Minar

Urdu

A language primarily spoken in South Asia, known for its blend of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages, and is widely used in poetry, literature, and everyday communication.

A language primarily spoken in South Asia, known for its blend of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages, and is widely used in poetry, literature, and everyday communication.

Urdu

Mississippian

A pre-Columbian Native American civilization that flourished in the southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1600 CE, known for its complex societies, extensive trade networks, and earthen mound-building traditions.

A pre-Columbian Native American civilization that flourished in the southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1600 CE, known for its complex societies, extensive trade networks, and earthen mound-building traditions.

Mississippian

matrilineal society

A social system in which descent, inheritance, and kinship are traced through the mother's lineage, often resulting in women holding significant roles in family and societal structures.

A social system in which descent, inheritance, and kinship are traced through the mother's lineage, often resulting in women holding significant roles in family and societal structures.

matrilineal society

Cahokia

A major pre-Columbian urban center and cultural hub located near present-day Collinsville, Illinois, characterized by its large earthen mounds, extensive trade networks, and vibrant Native American civilization.

A major pre-Columbian urban center and cultural hub located near present-day Collinsville, Illinois, characterized by its large earthen mounds, extensive trade networks, and vibrant Native American civilization.

Cahokia

city-states

Independent urban centers that function as autonomous political entities with their own government, economy, and territory, often characterized by their sovereignty and distinctive cultural identities.

Independent urban centers that function as autonomous political entities with their own government, economy, and territory, often characterized by their sovereignty and distinctive cultural identities.

city-states