AP History

Khanate of the Golden Horde

One of the four major divisions of the Mongol Empire, it covered parts of modern-day Russia and Eastern Europe.

Srivijaya

A maritime and commercial kingdom that flourished in Southeast Asia, known for its strategic control over trade routes.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age, located in Baghdad, where scholars made significant advances in science and philosophy.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644, noted for its trade expansion and cultural achievements.

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval city in southern Africa known for its stone ruins and as a center of trade.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer and mariner during the Ming Dynasty known for his voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa.

Khutulun

A Mongol noblewoman and famed warrior known for her exceptional skills in horse riding and wrestling.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty from 960 to 1279 known for its innovations in technology, economy, and culture.

al-Andalus

Historical region in the Iberian Peninsula that was under Muslim rule from the 8th to the 15th century.

Inca Empire

A powerful empire in South America, known for its sophisticated administrative and agricultural systems.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, known for preserving Greek and Roman culture and for its capital, Constantinople.

Western Christendom

The cultural and political body of Western European countries during the Middle Ages under the influence of the Roman Catholic Church.

Hangzhou

A major city in China during the Song Dynasty known for its canals and vibrant economy.

Seljuk Turks

A medieval Turko-Persian empire that played a significant role in the Islamic world and expanded into the Middle East.

Maya civilization

An ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for its advanced writing system, architecture, and astronomy.

Bushido

The code of conduct for samurai in Japan, emphasizing honor, loyalty, and martial arts.

Roman Catholic Church

The largest Christian church led by the Pope, influential in European politics and culture.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful empire that lasted from the 14th to the early 20th century, controlling large parts of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Thirty Years War

A series of conflicts in Central Europe from 1618 to 1648, primarily fought between Protestant and Catholic states.

Counter Reformation

The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, aiming to reform the Church and counter the spread of Protestantism.

Taki Onqoy

A religious movement in Peru during the colonial period that sought to restore indigenous traditions and reject Christianity.

Copernicus

Polish mathematician and astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe.

Newton

An English mathematician and physicist whose work laid the groundwork for classical mechanics and laws of motion.

Voltaire

A French Enlightenment writer known for his advocacy of civil liberties and criticism of the Church.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.

African diaspora

The dispersal of Africans and their descendants to various parts of the world, particularly due to the transatlantic slave trade.

Potosi

A city in present-day Bolivia known for its extensive silver mines and as a major source of wealth for the Spanish Empire.

maroon societies

Communities formed by escaped slaves in the Americas, often in remote areas.

Pieces of Eight

Spanish silver coins that became a standard currency for trade in the Americas and Europe.

“silver drain”

The economic process by which wealth from the Americas, in the form of silver, flowed to Europe, depleting resources in the colonies.

Dutch East India Company

A powerful trading company established by the Dutch Republic, involved in trade primarily in the Indian Ocean.

British East India Company

A trading company that played a significant role in British trade with India and Southeast Asia.

Achaemenid Empire

The first Persian Empire (550-330 BCE) known for its vast size and efficient administration under leaders like Cyrus the Great.

Royal Road

An ancient highway by the Achaemenid Empire that facilitated communication and trade across the empire.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, known for his policies of tolerance and respect for the cultures of the lands he conquered.

Classical Greece

The period marked by major cultural achievements and the development of democracy, philosophy, and arts, especially in city-states like Athens.

Peloponnesian War

A protracted conflict (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta, leading to a shift in power among Greek city-states.

Han Dynasty

A significant Chinese dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) that centralized government and expanded the Silk Road trade.

Silk Road

A network of trade routes established during the Han Dynasty, facilitating cultural, commercial, and technological exchange.

Roman Empire

A powerful empire (27 BCE-476 CE) known for its legal systems, infrastructures like roads, and the spread of Christianity.

Hellenistic Culture

A blend of Eastern and Western cultural elements spread by Alexander the Great during his conquests.

Judaism

An ancient monotheistic religion focusing on the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites, foundational to both Christianity and Islam.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ that originated in the 1st century CE.

Buddhism

A spiritual tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama emphasizing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Islam

A major monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century CE by Prophet Muhammad, centered on the Five Pillars of Islam.

Hinduism

One of the oldest religions, emphasizing concepts like dharma, karma, and moksha, with key texts like the Vedas.

Confucianism

A philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing morality, social relationships, and justice.

Zoroastrianism

One of the oldest known monotheistic religions, focusing on the duality of good and evil, founded by the prophet Zoroaster.

Sikhism

A monotheistic faith founded in the 15th century in India by Guru Nanak, advocating for equality and community service.

Sea Road

Maritime trade routes of the Indian Ocean connecting various regions and facilitating cultural exchange.

Mongol Empire

The largest contiguous empire in history, established in the 13th century, known for fostering trade and cultural exchange.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires like the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals that utilized gunpowder technology to expand their territories.

Economic Transformations (1450-1750)

A period marked by the expansion of global trade and the Columbian Exchange, impacting economies worldwide.

Scientific Revolution

A transformative period (16th-17th centuries) emphasizing observation and experimentation in understanding the natural world.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries advocating reason, individual rights, and skepticism of authority.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, challenging the practices of the Catholic Church.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of goods, crops, and diseases between the New and Old Worlds following Columbus's voyages.

Thirty Years' War

A major conflict in Europe (1618-1648) fought primarily between Catholic and Protestant states, ending with the Treaty of Westphalia.