Vocab Unit 0-1: AP WORLD

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Paleolithic Era

The early period of human history when people lived as hunter-gatherers and used simple stone tools.

Pastoral Society

A society that raises animals for food and trade instead of farming crops.

Chiefdom

A society led by a chief, who holds power over several communities.

Patriarchy

A system where men hold most power and authority over women.

Hinduism

A major Indian religion that believes in many gods, karma, and rebirth.

Upanishads

Ancient Hindu writings that explain ideas like the soul and ultimate reality.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, later called the Buddha.

Theravada Buddhism

A form of Buddhism that focuses on individual meditation and wisdom.

Mahayana Buddhism

A form of Buddhism that sees the Buddha as divine and stresses compassion.

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy that teaches respect, family loyalty, and moral behavior.

Han Dynasty

A strong Chinese dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) known for its government system and inventions.

Daoism

A Chinese philosophy that teaches living simply and in harmony with nature.

Judaism

A religion of the Hebrews that believes in one God and follows the Torah.

Quran

The holy book of Islam containing the teachings of Muhammad.

Circa

A term meaning "around" or "approximately" when giving dates.

Conduit

A channel or pathway for moving goods, ideas, or water.

Syncretism

The blending of different cultures, religions, or traditions.

Surplus

Extra goods or food left over after needs are met.

Agrarian

Related to farming or agriculture.

Elite

A small group of powerful, wealthy, or important people.

Neolithic Revolution

The change from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life.

Specialization

When people focus on specific jobs or skills in society.

Social Hierarchy

The ranking of people into classes based on power, wealth, or status.

Mesopotamia

An ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as the first civilization.

Code of Hammurabi

One of the earliest written law codes from Mesopotamia.

Zoroastrianism

An ancient Persian religion that believed in good vs. evil and one main god.

Caste

A system in India dividing people into strict social classes.

Diaspora

The spreading of people from their original homeland.

City-State

An independent city that rules itself and its surrounding land.

Song Dynasty's Commercial Revolution

A time in China when trade, money, and markets grew quickly (960–1279 CE).

Hangzhou

A large and wealthy Chinese city during the Song Dynasty.

Foot binding

A Chinese practice of tightly binding girls’ feet to keep them small, showing beauty and status.

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic empire (750–1258 CE) known for trade, culture, and science.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful Muslim empire that ruled parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa from the 1300s to 1900s.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern Roman Empire that lasted until 1453, with its capital at Constantinople.

Constantinople

The capital of the Byzantine Empire, important for trade and defense.

Crusades

A series of wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the Holy Land.

Roman Catholic Church

The main Christian church in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.

European Renaissance

A period of rebirth in art, learning, and culture in Europe (1300s–1600s).

Maya Civilization

An advanced civilization in Central America known for writing, math, and astronomy.

Aztec Empire

A powerful civilization in Mexico known for warfare, tribute, and human sacrifice.

Inca Empire

A South American empire in the Andes Mountains known for roads and farming.

Bureaucracy

A system of government with departments and officials who manage tasks.

Innovation

A new idea, method, or invention.

State

An organized political unit with government and territory.

Tribute

Payment made to a ruler or state to show respect or gain protection.

Feudalism

A political system where lords give land to vassals in exchange for loyalty.

Decentralized Monarchy

A kingdom where power is shared by many local lords rather than one strong king.

Manorial System

A system where peasants lived on a lord’s land and worked in exchange for protection.

Serfdom

A system where peasants were tied to the land and had to work for the lord.