AP World - General Historical Vocab

Aristocracy

A social class of elites, often land-owning nobles who held power by birth and wealth.

Bureaucracy

A system of government where state officials (not elected leaders) carry out policies and administration.

Centralization

The concentration of political power in a single authority or governing body (e.g., Ming China, Louis XIV's France).

Commercial

Related to commerce or trade

Commerce

The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale

Consolidate

To strengthen or unify power, territory, or institutions

Decentralization

Distribution of power away from a central authority, seen in feudal systems or post-classical Europe.

Democracy

A political system in which power is exercised by the people, often through elected representatives (e.g., Ancient Athens, modern republics).

Diffusion

The spread of ideas, technologies, religions, or goods across cultures

Diplomacy

The practice of managing international relations, especially through negotiation rather than conflict.

Empire

A large political unit that controls multiple peoples and territories, often through conquest and centralized authority.

Facilitate

To make a process easier or smoother

Hierarchy

A ranked order, often used to describe social structures or class systems.

Ideology

A system of beliefs or ideals that shape political, economic, or social systems (e.g., liberalism, nationalism, communism).

Infrastructure

The basic physical and organizational structures needed for a society to function (e.g., roads, irrigation, ports).

Mandate

An official order or authority to act

Matriarchy

A social system in which women hold primary power, though less common historically

Militarism

A political and social emphasis on military strength and values, often leading to expansion or conflict (e.g., WWI causes).

Monarchy

Rule by a king or queen, often hereditary (can be absolute or constitutional).

Nationalism

A strong identification with one's nation or ethnic group, often leading to independence movements or unification efforts.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power and dominate roles in leadership, privilege, and property control.

Reform

To improve or change systems or policies

Republic

A state in which power rests with elected representatives and an elected leader rather than a monarch (e.g., U.S., France post-1789).

Sovereignty

The full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without interference.

State

A political organization with a centralized government, defined territory, and recognized sovereignty.

Syncretism

The blending of different cultural, religious, or philosophical traditions (e.g., Sikhism, Neo-Confucianism).

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders or based on religious law (e.g., Safavid Empire, Iran post-1979).