AP World History Study Guide: Key Themes and Events

Golden Ages

Periods of prosperity in Middle East, Africa, Asia.

Dark Ages

Era of cultural stagnation in Western Europe.

Hindu Caste System

Social hierarchy influencing Southeast Asian governance.

Feudalism

Societal structure based on land ownership and classes.

Islam

Religion uniting Afro-Eurasia through Arabic language.

Missionaries

Individuals spreading religions like Christianity and Islam.

Grand Canal

Waterway enhancing trade in China.

Champa Rice

Drought-resistant rice boosting Chinese population.

Coal

Resource aiding iron production in China.

Civil Service Examination

Merit-based test for government positions in China.

Tribute System

Tax system involving gifts from neighboring states.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty known for bureaucracy and meritocracy.

Kublai Khan

Mongol leader who established the Yuan Dynasty.

Bushido Code

Samurai ethical code emphasizing honor and loyalty.

Confucianism

Philosophy justifying rule and social order in China.

Pax Mongolia

Period of peace and stability under Mongol rule.

Mansa Musa

Mali emperor known for wealth and pilgrimage.

Swahili City-States

Trade-based societies along East Africa's coast.

Trans-Saharan Trade Route

Trade network connecting Africa and the Mediterranean.

Holy Roman Empire

Political entity characterized by feudalism and church power.

Nomadic Peoples

Groups historically transferring technology and culture.

Four Khanates

Divisions of the Mongol Empire post-Genghis Khan.

Estates General

French legislative body with limited power against monarchy.

Crusades

Religious wars to reclaim the Holy Land.

Magna Carta

Document limiting royal power in England.

100 Years War

Conflict between England and France over territory.

Delhi Sultanate

Turkish Muslim kingdom in Northern India.

Jizya

Tax imposed on non-Muslims in Islamic states.

Inca Empire

Andean civilization known for roads and llamas.

Mita System

Labor tax system in Inca society.

Mississippian Culture

North American society known for earth mounds.

Maya Civilization

City-states with trade routes and agricultural challenges.

Aztec Empire

Militaristic society known for human sacrifices.

Chinampas

Floating gardens used for agriculture by Aztecs.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic empire known for cultural and scientific advancements.

House of Wisdom

Baghdad center for study and translation of texts.

Mamluks

Slave soldiers who ruled Egypt and Syria.

Strait of Malacca

Key trade route for Chinese merchants.

Silk Roads

Trade network connecting China to Europe.

Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Maritime trade routes connecting East Africa and Asia.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trade routes across North Africa and the Sahara.

Diasporic Communities

Cultural exchanges through merchant migrations.

New Crops Introduction

Spread of crops like bananas and potatoes.

Cultural Changes from Trade

Zen Buddhism and Swahili language emergence.

Influence of Travel Writers

Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta inspired trade enthusiasm.

Environmental Consequences

Trade led to crop exchanges and disease spread.

Silk Road

Trade route connecting empires like Song China and Abbasid Caliphate.

Three-field crop rotation

Agricultural method increasing European population capacity.

Champa rice

Fast-growing rice variety from China enhancing food supply.

Mali Kingdom

West African empire uniting diverse peoples through Islam.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic empire promoting cultural unity and diversity.

Religious diversity

Variety of faiths causing conflict in Song Dynasty and India.

Christianity divisions

Splits within faith leading to political and religious strife.

Buddhism divisions

Different sects causing conflicts in regions of influence.

Gunpowder technology

Advancement enabling mass use of firearms in warfare.

Intensification of trade routes

Increased commerce providing resources for new empires.

Absolute empires

Governments maintaining strict control over political and economic life.

Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople

1453 event marking rise of Ottoman Empire.

Inca Empire

Established after completion of Sun Temple in 1471.

Protestant Reformation

Movement initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517.

Sikh Community

Founded by Guru Nanak in 1526, promoting new faith.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Unified Japan under military rule in 1600.

Qing Dynasty

Established in 1644, marking Manchu rule in China.

Palace of Versailles

Symbol of Louis XIV's absolute power, completed in 1682.

Mughal Empire

Weakened after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707.

Maritime Empires

Sea-based empires relying on overseas trade and colonies.

Divine right of kings

Political doctrine justifying monarchs' authority as God's will.

Encomienda system

Spanish labor system exploiting natives for economic gain.

Mita system

Coerced labor system for public projects in Spanish Americas.

Treaty of Tordesillas

1494 agreement dividing New World between Spain and Portugal.

Serfdom in Russia

System of forced labor practiced by Russian nobles.

Dutch East India Company

Trading company facilitating Dutch trade in Southeast Asia.

Trading Post Empires

Coastal empires facilitating trade along Africa.

Indian Ocean Trade

Major trade network connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Eurasian Gunpowder Empires

Empires using gunpowder for intimidation and warfare.

Human Sacrifice in Americas

Cultural practice to intimidate and assert power.

Land-Based Expansion

Focus on territorial control and administration.

Tax Collection in Americas

Silver collected as a form of taxation.

Ottoman Empire

Consolidated power through military and bureaucracy.

Ming Dynasty

Last native Chinese empire before foreign rule.

Zheng He Voyages

Treasure expeditions showcasing Chinese naval power.

Isolationist Policies

Retreat from foreign engagement post-expeditions.

Qing Dynasty

Manchu rulers reintroducing civil service exams.

Mughal Bureaucracy

Tax collection based on landholdings and production.

Taj Mahal

Symbol of power and resources, built for a wife.

Jizya Tax

Tax abolished by Akbar, promoting religious freedom.

Ottoman Devshirme

Christian boys enslaved for military and bureaucratic roles.

Tax Farming

Tax collectors abusing their power for profit.

Safavid Ghulams

Loyal military slaves from minority populations.

Songhai Empire

Controlled trade routes and expanded through alliances.

Inca Mita System

Labor system requiring tribute in the form of labor.

Spanish Conquest of Inca

Led to fall due to disease and betrayal.

Aztec Tribute System

Conquered states owed goods and human sacrifices.

Columbian Exchange

Biological exchange between the Old and New Worlds.

Joint Stock Companies

Investment model for funding colonial exploration.

Triangular Trade

Trade route linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Mercantilism

Economic theory prioritizing fixed wealth distribution.

Indentured Servants

Workers bound for seven years before freedom.

Social Hierarchies

Structured social classes based on race and ancestry.

Casta System

Latin American racial hierarchy: peninsulares, criollos, castas.