AP World History Modern Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts and events from the AP World History modern study guide.

Rise of Civilizations

Period from 1200-1450 characterized by the growth of societies, technological advancements, and the spread of religions.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires formed in the period from 1450-1750 that utilized gunpowder technology to expand and maintain power.

The Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries focusing on reason and individualism rather than tradition.

Black Death

A devastating plague that struck Europe in the 14th century, killing about one third of the population.

Feudalism

The social, economic, and political system of the Middle Ages based on land ownership and duties between lord and vassal.

The Protestant Reformation

A major 16th-century European movement initially aimed at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pax Mongolica

A term referring to the peace and stability established by the Mongol Empire during its expansion, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Great Britain (1839-1860) over trade disputes and the British opium trade, leading to the Treaty of Nanking.

Arms Race

A competition between nations for superiority in the development and accumulation of weapons.

The Berlin Blockade

A Soviet attempt in 1948-1949 to cut off access to West Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift by the Allies.

Apartheid

A policy of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.

The Great Schism

The division of Christianity into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches in 1054, primarily due to theological disagreements.

Mao Zedong

The founding father of the People's Republic of China, ruling from 1949-1976 and known for his policies such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the US and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property and resources are owned communally.

Glorious Revolution

The overthrow of King James II of England in 1688, which established parliamentary sovereignty and the Protestant succession.

Zionism

A nationalist movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in what is now Israel, gaining momentum in the late 19th century.

Decolonization

The process through which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, predominantly occurring in the mid-20th century.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating monetary reserves through a positive balance of trade.

Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization and technological innovation that began in the late 18th century and transformed economies from agrarian to industrial.

Neocolonialism

The use of economic, political, and cultural pressures to control or influence countries, especially former dependencies.

Social Darwinism

The application of Darwin's theories of natural selection and survival of the fittest to human societies, often used to justify imperialism and racism.