AP World Unit 1 KBAT

Song dynasty

(east asia) Replaced Tang Dynasty (960–1279); united with confucianism and prospered with trade (champa rice); was centralized and land based

Traditional methods of Confucianism

 (east asia) Used as guiding philosophy in government and society,; emphasized hierarchy, and respect.

Imperial bureaucracy

(east asia) Expanded under Song; gvrm system where appointed officials carried out policies (emperor)

Meritocracy

(east asia) Jobs given by merit (not family ties); more equal than before though poor still disadvantaged (couldn’t afford education).

Civil service exam

(east asia) Based on Confucian texts; created opportunities for lower-class men; established under Song Taizu.

Scholarly gentry

(east asia) New influential social class; educated in Confucian philosophy; outnumbered aristocrats and became the most powerful class in society

daoism

(east asia)  ancient Chinese philosophy and religion that emphasizes living in harmony with the "Dao," a universal principle or force that establishes all of existence

confucianism

 (east asia) a system of philosophical and ethical teachings developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples (traditional chinese)

Filial piety

(east asia) Respect for elders, parents, and rulers; reinforced patriarchal family structure and political stability. (came from confucianism and later got added to neo confucianism)

Neo-Confucianism

(east asia) syncretic blend of Confucianism (ethics, rationality), Daoist thought, and Buddhist spirituality; emphasized morality and order; spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam.

Buddhism

(east asia) Arrived from India via Silk Road; became highly popular during Tang/Song; monasteries formed in major cities; sometimes clashed with Confucian/Daoist elites.

Confucian tradition of both respect and expectation of women

(east asia) Patriarchal; women expected to submit to men. Foot binding in Song elite families symbolized status but restricted mobility; reflected wealth (women didn’t need to work).

Chinese literary traditions

(east asia) Invention of paper and woodblock printing expanded access to books; scholars and elites read and wrote; printed agricultural manuals spread knowledge.

Japan under chinese influence

(east asia) Adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, woodblock printing, and Chinese-style government in Heian period; also created unique culture (e.g., Tale of Genji).

Korea under chinese influence

(east asia) Adopted Confucian and Buddhist ideas; modeled gov’t after Chinese bureaucracy (but the higher classes blocked reforms like open civil service exams).

Theravada

 (Focused on meditation and self-discipline; Southeast Asia.

Mahayana

(east asia) Emphasized compassion, service, and salvation for all; strongest in China and Korea.

Tibetan

(east/central asia) Focused on chanting and rituals; strongest in Tibet.

Free peasant

(east asia) Majority of population who worked on land in china; some gained more stability through reforms (gov. aid, public hospitals).

Artisanal labor

(east asia) Artisans produced steel, porcelain, silk, and religious items; often directed by government; goods traded widely.

Chinese getting commercialized

(east asia) Economy shifted from local consumption to market-based production; porcelain, textiles, and tea became chief exports.

Grand Canal

(east asia) 30,000+ miles of waterways; inexpensive and efficient transport; vital for China’s internal trade and population growth.

Tributary system in Song

(east asia) connected China with Korea, Japan, SE Asia.

Champa rice

 (east asia) Fast-ripening, drought-resistant rice from Vietnam; allowed multiple harvests and expansion into difficult terrain.

China’s goods

(east asia) steel, iron, textiles and porcelain

Islam

(middle east) monotheistic religion from the middle east, believing in Allah; spread through merchants, missionaries, and military expansion. supported equality and spread well in middle east and west and east africa

Judaism

(middle east) monotheistic religion from modern day Israel, generally tolerated under Islamic rule; contributed to intellectual and cultural exchange in places like al-Andalus (islamic Spain under Umayyad). Jewish scholars (ex. Maimonides) interacted with Muslim and Christian thinkers.

Christianity

(middle east) monotheistic religion believing in Jesus with roman empire as origin; lived peacefully under Muslim rulers in the Middle East and Spain. Crusades (troops organized by Christians to reopen the access) arose when Seljuk Turks restricted Christian access to Jerusalem.

Abbasid Caliphate

(middle east) Major Islamic empire (750–1258), capital at Baghdad; ruled by Arabs and Persians; translated greek works into arabic; weakened by invasions and loss of trade routes;

Caliph

(middle east) Spiritual and political leader of Islamic community; Abbasid caliphs lost political power over time to new groups like Seljuks and Mamluks.

House of Wisdom

(middle east) Established in Baghdad; major intellectual center where scholars translated Greek, Indian, and Persian works into Arabic; symbol of Abbasid Golden Age.

Seljuk Empire

(middle east) Turkic Muslims from Central Asia; expanded into Middle East; leader held title of “sultan,” reducing Abbasid caliphs to symbolic roles; restricted Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem → provoked Crusades.

Mamluk

(middle east) Enslaved Turks (Mamluks) seized control of Egypt after serving as Abbasid soldiers and bureaucrats; prospered from cotton and sugar trade; declined when Europeans (Portuguese) found sea routes.

Delhi Sultanate

(South asia) Muslim rulers established power in northern India after conquests; mixed Islamic governance with Indian culture; part of broader Turkic influence in Islamic states.

Sufis

(middle east) dimension of Islam; emphasized spiritual experience, meditation, and introspection over scholarly study; effective missionaries because they blended Islam with local cultures; spread Islam in South Southeast Asia and Africa.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

(middle east) Persian scholar who built an observatory with accurate astronomical charts; studied trigonometry.

A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah

(middle east) Female Sufi poet and writer; wrote “Clear Inspiration, on Praise of the Trusted One” honoring Muhammad; her writings showed mystical spiritual journey and highlighted role of women in Islamic scholarship.

Hinduism

(South and southeast asia) Polytheistic religion originating in India; shaped South Asia with temples, caste system, and sacred texts. Provided cultural unity despite political disunity; supported caste hierarchy and local traditions.

Buddhism

(south asia) Religion originating from Siddhartha Gautama in India; emphasized detachment and enlightenment. Declined in India due to invasions and corruption but remained strong in Sri Lanka (Sinhala dynasties) and Southeast Asia (Srivijaya, Khmer). Monasteries/nunneries shaped education and governance.

Bhakti Movement

(middle east) Hindu devotional movement starting in South India; emphasized inner reflection and emotional attachment to gods (e.g., Mira Bai). Rejected caste and gender distinctions → appealed widely. Paralleled Sufi Islam.

Buddhist Monasticism

(south asia) Institutions where monks/nuns lived; especially influential in Sri Lanka and SE Asia. Provided education, religious advice to rulers, and local stability.

Vijayanagara Empire

(south asia) Hindu kingdom in south asia. Founded by Harihara and Bukka (originally Hindus who converted to Islam under Delhi Sultanate, then reconverted to Hinduism). Prosperous until Muslim kingdoms overthrew it.

Srivijaya Empire

(southeast asia) Sea-based Buddhist kingdom in South east asia. Controlled Indian Ocean trade routes between India and China; powerful navy; charged fees for ships.

Rajput Kingdoms

(south asia) Hindu kingdoms in south asia; ruled by warrior clans after the Gupta collapse. Politically decentralized; frequent conflict among clans weakened them against Muslim invasions.

Khmer Empire (Angkor Kingdom)

 (southeast asia) Land-based kingdom in SE Asia (802–1431) near Mekong River. Prosperous due to advanced irrigation/drainage systems → multiple rice harvests per year. Blended Hinduism and Buddhism in architecture (Angkor Wat temple complex).

Majapahit

(southeast asia) Hindu kingdom in south east asia with Buddhist influences; controlled sea trade with 98 tributaries. Declined with rise of Islam.

Sukhothai Kingdom

(southeast asia) Early Thai kingdom; replaced Khmer control over Angkor Wat. Represented shift of power in SE Asia and was located in south east asia

Sinhala Dynasties

(south asia) Buddhist kingdoms in sri lanka founded by North Indian immigrants. Monasteries/nunneries shaped politics and society; extensive irrigation allowed prosperity; weakened by invasions and internal conflict.

Proselytizing

(south asia) Actively seeking converts; used by Muslims in South Asia. Initially forceful but later voluntary conversions (e.g., low-caste Hindus converting for equality, merchants’ wives converting).

Qutub Minar

(south asia) Tallest stone tower in India (Delhi). Built during Delhi Sultanate using mosque/hindu temple materials. Symbol of Islamic influence and syncretism (Hindu + Islamic architecture).

Maya City-States

(Mesoamerica) Civilization in Mesoamerica (250–900 CE); decentralized city-states with kings, priests, and tribute systems. Built pyramids, observatories, and developed concept of zero. Practiced human sacrifice.

Mexica (Aztecs)

(Mesoamerica) Civilization (1300–1521) in Central Mexico; capital Tenochtitlán on Lake Texcoco. Theocracy with emperor (“Great Speaker”). Expanded via conquest and tribute system.

Inca Empire

(south america) Andean civilization (1438–1533); founded by Pachacuti. Organized into four provinces; used the mit'a system (mandatory labor service). Rulers linked to Sun God (Inti). Built a massive road system (Carpa Nan).

Chaco

(north america) Culture in SW US; built stone/clay houses with many rooms; relied on irrigation in arid climate. Declined due to drought.

Mesa Verde

(north america) Culture in SW US; built cliff dwellings from sandstone bricks; declined due to dry climate.

Cahokia (Mississippian Culture)

(north america) First large-scale civilization in North America (700–1600 CE). Located in Mississippi River Valley; famous for mounds (largest at Cahokia, Illinois). Matrilineal society (power passed through mother’s line). Declined due to climate shifts/disease.

Matrilineal society

(north america/meso america) Lineage/social status determined through mother’s family line (e.g., Mississippian culture).

City-State

 (mesoamerica) Independent city with surrounding land (e.g., Maya).

Human Sacrifice

  (mesoamerica) Ritual killing to honor gods (Maya, Aztec, some Inca). Linked to religion and political power.

Chinampas

  (mesoamerica) “Floating gardens” built by Aztecs on Lake Texcoco to maximize farmland.

Theocracy

 (mesoamerica) Government led by religious authority (Aztec emperor = “Great Speaker”).

Mit’a System

(south america) Incan labor tax requiring conquered people to provide public service (building roads, farming, military).

Terraced Farming

(south america) Agricultural system in mountainous Andes (Inca). Used waru waru channels to manage rain, prevent erosion, and store water.

State systems in Africa

(africa) Many societies used kin-based networks (rooted around family relationships and kinship ties). As populations grew, they enriched by trade and Islam/Christianity.

Great Zimbabwe

(east africa) East African kingdom (12th–15th c.). Grew rich from gold and Indian Ocean trade. Known for the Great Zimbabwe Wall (stone, no mortar). Declined from overgrazing. (kin based)

Ethiopia

(east africa) Christian kingdom in East Africa. Famous for rock-hewn churches. Blended Christianity with local traditions (ancestor veneration). (more centralized with less kin based)

Hausa Kingdoms

(west africa) Seven states in modern Nigeria (before 1000). Linked by kinship, prospered from trans-Saharan trade. Lacked central authority (islam and traditional mixed)

Indian Ocean Trade

(africa and middle east) Connected East Africa to Arabia, India, and China. Coastal cities (Kilwa, Mogadishu, Mombasa) thrived; Swahili language emerged.

Trans-Saharan Trade

(west africa) Linked West Africa (Ghana, Mali) to N. Africa. Gold, ivory, slaves exchanged for salt, copper, cloth, tools.

Slave Trade

 (africa) Included chattel, domestic, and debt-bondage slavery. Enslaved Africans traded across Sahara and Indian Ocean; owning slaves increased status.

Zanj Rebellion

(east africa) Revolt of ~15,000 enslaved East Africans in Mesopotamia. Captured Basra for 10 years before defeat. One of history’s most successful slave revolts.

Investiture Controversy

(europe) Conflict over who could appoint bishops—secular rulers or the pope. Resolved by the Concordat of Worms (1122), giving the Church power to appoint bishops. Strengthened Church independence from monarchs.

Hundred Years’ War

(europe) Conflict (1337–1453) between England and France. Introduced longbows and gunpowder weapons. Created stronger monarchies and national identity (English vs. French).

Reconquista

(europe) Christian effort to retake Spain from Muslim rule. Completed in 1492, restoring Christian dominance in Iberia and expelling Muslims and Jews.

Great Schism

(europe) Split of Christianity into Roman Catholic (west) and Orthodox (east) in 1054. Catholic Church dominated Western Europe, while Orthodox remained powerful in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Feudalism

(europe) System of land-for-loyalty. Monarchs gave fiefs to lords, lords gave land to knights, and peasants worked land in exchange for protection. Based on agriculture, with wealth measured in land.

Manorial system

(europe) Economic system centered on self-sufficient estates (manors). Serfs farmed land, villages included churches, mills, and shops. Limited trade, created local self-sufficiency.

Estates-General

(europe) Advisory assembly in France with clergy, nobility, and commoners. Met occasionally, but had little power because upper estates didn’t pay taxes.

Manors

(europe) Large estates or fiefs granted to lords. Basis of feudal economy, included villages, farmland, and a church.

Magna Carta

(europe) 1215 charter limiting the king’s power in England. Required jury trials, limited taxation, and protected nobles’ rights. Foundation for constitutional government.

English Parliament

(europe) Assembly formed in 1265 with House of Lords (nobles, clergy) and House of Commons (elected reps). Over time, gained more power than assemblies elsewhere in Europe.

Bourgeoisie (burghers)

(europe) Middle-class urban dwellers like merchants, artisans, and shopkeepers. Grew in importance as trade and towns expanded, shifting Europe toward a more commercial society.

Serfdom

(europe) Labor system where peasants worked land for lords. Serfs weren’t enslaved but were tied to land, owed labor and tribute. Had little mobility or freedom.

Three-field system

(europe) Crop rotation system. One field with grains (wheat/rye), second with legumes (peas/beans), third left fallow. Increased food production → population growth.