AP WORLD semester 1

Paleolithic Era

Characterized by the absence of agriculture, emphasizing hunting and gathering.

Neolithic Era

The period in history marking the onset of a settled human lifestyle.

Pastoral Society

A nomadic group whose primary economic activity is herding domesticated animals.

Agricultural Revolution

A significant turning point when humans learned to domesticate animals and plants.

Mesoamerica

Region where complex societies developed, extending from central Mexico to parts of Central America.

Hinduism

A polytheistic religion with diverse beliefs and practices.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts that form the core concepts of Hinduism.

Atman

The universal self in Hindu philosophy, often considered eternal and transmigrating after death.

Moksha

The liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, misery, and death influenced by karma.

Karma

The principle that actions have consequences that affect one's future existence.

Buddhism

A non-theistic religion founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.

Theravada Buddhism

The older of the two major branches of Buddhism, focused on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.

Mahayana Buddhism

A diverse branch of Buddhism with various teachings and practices.

Tibetan Buddhism

A branch of Vajrayana Buddhism practiced primarily in Tibet.

Siddhartha Gautama

The historical figure known as the Buddha, who founded Buddhism.

Nirvana

A transcendent state in Buddhism, representing perfect peace and happiness.

Bhakti

A devotional movement in Hinduism characterized by intense emotional attachment to a personal god.

Vishnu

One of the principal deities of Hinduism, regarded as the preserver.

Confucianism

A philosophical system emphasizing social hierarchy and the importance of learning.

Filial Piety

A virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors, central to Confucian ethics.

Daoism

An ancient Chinese philosophy promoting harmony with nature.

Yin and Yang

The concept of complementary opposites in nature and existence.

Judaism

A monotheistic religion that originated with the ancient Hebrews.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to God's will.

Muhammad

The founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Qur’an.

Quran

The central religious text of Islam.

Umma

The collective community of Muslims worldwide.

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam, believing that caliphs are the rightful successors of Muhammad.

Shia

The branch of Islam asserting that only Muhammad’s direct descendants can lead the faith.

Ulama

Islamic scholars knowledgeable in religious law and theology.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Madrassa

An educational institution in the Islamic world, focusing on religious studies.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic belief system emphasizing personal experiences with God.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese imperial dynasty known for economic advancements and cultural influence.

Hangzhou

The chosen capital of the Song dynasty, influential in trade and culture.

Foot binding

A historical Chinese practice involving tightly binding young girls' feet.

Kowtowing

A Chinese custom involving kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead.

Hangul

The writing system used for the Korean language.

Samurai

Warriors in Japan who adhered to a strict code of honor.

Bushido

The code of conduct governing the samurai class in Japan.

Kami

The spirits or deities worshipped in Shinto and Japanese indigenous religions.

Chu nom

A script used to write the Vietnamese language from the 10th to the early 20th century.

Srivijaya

A maritime kingdom that flourished in Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 13th centuries.

Khmer

An ancient Cambodian state that had significant regional influence.

Majapahit

A powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia.

Angkor Wat

A renowned temple complex in Cambodia, originally built as a Hindu temple.

Dar Al Islam

The Islamic term for the 'house of peace' where Islam prevails.

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic dynasty that controlled much of the Middle East.

Seljuk Turkic Empire

A medieval empire formed by Turkic tribes, known for its vast territorial influence.

Sultan

A ruler in some Islamic countries.

Kaghan

A historic title used by Turkic and Mongolian leaders.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful historical state that originated from Turkish tribes and spanned multiple continents.

Caliph

The title used for the leader of the Muslim community, considered a successor to Muhammad.

Jizya

A tax levied on non-Muslims in Islamic states.

al-Andalus

The region in the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule.

Swahili Civilization

A set of city-states along the East African coast, influenced by trade.

Empire of Mali

An influential West African empire known for its wealth and academic centers.

Gao

A major city in the Empire of Mali, known for trade.

Djenne

A significant historical town in Mali, notable for its unique architecture.

Songhay Empire

A powerful empire in West Africa known for its trade and military.

Sonni Ali

The founder of the Songhay Empire who unified various states.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Renaissance

A cultural movement marked by a renewed interest in art and learning in Europe.

Maya Civilization

An ancient civilization known for its architecture and astrological achievements.

Aztec Empire

A Mesoamerican civilization known for its agricultural innovations.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco.

Inca Empire

A highly organized civilization in South America focusing on agriculture and infrastructure.

Chinampas

An ancient Mesoamerican agricultural method involving raised fields.

Quipus

An Inca device used for recording information through knotted strings.

Quechua

An Indigenous people who live in the Andes region.

Mongol Empire

A major empire known for its extensive conquests and control over the Silk Road.

Khanates

Administrative divisions ruled by a Khan in the Mongol Empire.

Chinggis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire who united the Mongol tribes.

Kublai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan, who founded the Yuan dynasty in China.

Ming Dynasty

A period in Chinese history characterized by trade expansion and cultural flourishing.

Yongle

A Ming dynasty emperor known for his naval expeditions.

Zheng He

An explorer who led voyages promoting Chinese trade during the Ming Dynasty.

Qing Dynasty

The last imperial dynasty of China, marked by territorial expansion.

Great Zimbabwe

An ancient city in Africa known for its impressive stone architecture.

Mansa Musa

Famous ruler of the Mali Empire, known for his wealth and pilgrimage.

Sand Roads

Trade routes across northern and western Africa, primarily for salt and gold.

Sea Roads

Trade routes across the Indian Ocean that facilitated commerce.

Silk Roads

Ancient trade routes connecting China to the West, enabling cultural exchange.

Black Death

A devastating plague that drastically reduced Europe's population in the 14th century.

Mecca

The holiest city in Islam, the birthplace of Muhammad.

House of Wisdom

An intellectual center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.

Sharia

Islamic law based on the Quran and Hadith.

Madrassa

An educational institution focusing on Islamic studies.

Ulema

Scholars within Islam who are considered experts in religious law.

Mesoamerica

Region characterized by the development of complex pre-Columbian societies.

Cahokia

A major pre-Columbian city located near present-day St. Louis.

Chaco Canyon

A major center of ancestral Puebloan culture in modern-day New Mexico.

Hernan Cortes

The Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire.

Francisco Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

Great Dying

The massive decline in Indigenous populations due to European diseases.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooler temperatures affecting agriculture from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and culture between the Americas and the Old World.

Mercantilism

An economic theory advocating that nations should export more than they import.

Encomienda

A Spanish colonial system that granted land with Indigenous labor in exchange for protection.