Units 3&4 APWH

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) known for restoring Han Chinese rule and expanding trade.

Neo-Confucianism

Revived Confucian philosophy blending metaphysics; dominant ideology in East Asia.

Qing Dynasty

Last imperial Chinese dynasty (1644-1912) founded by the Manchu.

Manchu

Ethnic group from Manchuria who established the Qing Dynasty.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Japanese military government (1603-1868) that enforced isolation and stability.

Daimyo

Powerful feudal lords in Japan under the shogunate.

Edo

Capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate; modern-day Tokyo.

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires that used gunpowder weapons for expansion.

Timur the Lame/Tamerlane

Conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire; known for brutal campaigns.

Ottoman Empire

Powerful Islamic empire centered in Anatolia; lasted from 1299 to 1922.

Suleiman the Magnificent

Ottoman sultan who expanded the empire and reformed law.

Janissary

Elite Ottoman infantry units loyal to the sultan.

Safavid Empire

Persian empire (1501-1736) that made Shia Islam its state religion.

Shia Islam

Branch of Islam that believes leadership should stay within Muhammad's family.

Mughal Empire

Islamic empire in India (1526-1857).

Akbar

Mughal ruler known for religious tolerance and centralization.

Taj Mahal

Mughal mausoleum built by Shah Jahan; symbol of empire's architecture.

Sikhism

Religion founded in Punjab blending elements of Islam and Hinduism.

Maratha Empire

Hindu state in India that challenged Mughal power.

Protestantism

Christian movement rejecting Catholic authority.

Martin Luther

Started the Protestant Reformation by criticizing Church abuses.

95 Theses

Luther's criticisms of the Catholic Church posted in 1517.

John Calvin

Reformer whose teachings shaped Calvinism.

Gutenberg printing press

Technology enabling mass book production; spread Reformation ideas.

Louis XIV

French absolute monarch known as the Sun King.

Henry IV

French king who issued the Edict of Nantes.

Edict of Nantes

Law granting limited religious freedom to French Protestants.

30 Years' War

European conflict (1618-1648) involving religion and power struggles.

Peace of Westphalia

Ended the 30 Years' War; established state sovereignty.

Ivan IV (the Terrible)

First tsar of Russia; expanded territory and centralized power.

Peter I (the Great)

Modernized and westernized Russia.

Cossack

Semi-nomadic warrior communities on Russia's frontier.

Catherine II

Empress who expanded Russia and continued westernization.

Boyars

Russian noble class.

Serf

Peasant bound to land in feudal or semi-feudal systems.

English Civil War

Conflict between Parliament and the monarchy (1642-1651).

Oliver Cromwell

Parliamentary leader who ruled as Lord Protector.

Glorious Revolution

1688 overthrow of James II; established constitutional monarchy.

Colonialism

Policy of acquiring and exploiting colonies.

Triangular trade

Trade network linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Middle Passage

Atlantic slave trade route transporting enslaved Africans.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between hemispheres.

Mercantilism

Economic policy focused on accumulating wealth through controlled trade.

Syncretism

Blending of cultures or religions.

Caravel & Carrack

Portuguese sailing ships used for exploration.

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portuguese royal who sponsored exploration.

Vasco da Gama

Explorer who reached India by sea.

Kongo Kingdom

Central African kingdom engaged with Portuguese trade.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Agreement dividing the world between Spain and Portugal.

Ana Nzinga

Central African queen who resisted Portuguese expansion.

Aztec Empire

Mesoamerican empire conquered by Spain.

Hernan Cortes

Conquistador who defeated the Aztec Empire.

Inca Empire

Andean empire conquered by Spain.

Francisco Pizarro

Conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

Encomienda system

Spanish labor system exploiting Indigenous peoples.

Pueblo Revolt

1680 Indigenous uprising against Spanish rule.

John Cabot

Explorer who claimed lands for England in North America.

Joint-stock companies

Investor-based companies funding exploration and colonies.

British East India Co.

Powerful trading company in Asia.

Royal Africa Co.

English company involved in the slave trade.

Metacom's War

Conflict between New England colonists and Native Americans.

Maroon Wars

Wars with escaped enslaved communities in the Caribbean.

Henry Hudson

Explorer who claimed land for the Dutch.

Dutch East India Co.

Major global trading corporation.

Samuel de Champlain/Jacques Cartier

French explorers who established presence in North America.