APWH Section 2 Vocabulary Flashcards

Imperialism

When a stronger country controls a weaker one for power, land, or resources.

Nation-state

A country made up of people with a common culture, government, and territory.

Joint Stock Companies

Businesses where people buy shares to fund exploration and split profits or losses.

Mulattoes

People of mixed African and European ancestry in colonial societies.

Mercantilism

Economic idea that colonies exist to benefit the mother country.

Sikhism

Religion from India blending Hindu and Islamic beliefs.

Mughal

Muslim empire that ruled much of India from the 1500s–1700s.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Enlightenment thinker who argued for popular sovereignty and the social contract.

Zheng He

Chinese explorer who led large naval voyages during the Ming Dynasty.

Encomienda system

Spanish labor system forcing Native Americans to work for colonists.

Laissez-Faire capitalism

Economic system where the government does not interfere with business.

Adam Smith

Economist who wrote "Wealth of Nations" and supported free markets.

Safavid

Persian empire known for Shi’a Islam and strong military power.

Creoles

Colonists in Latin America born in the Americas to European parents.

Ming

Chinese dynasty known for stability, Great Wall repairs, and exploration.

Shogun

Military ruler of Japan who held actual power over the emperor.

Dutch United East India Company

Powerful Dutch trading company controlling spice trade in Asia.

Siberia

Eastern region of Russia used for fur trade and later exile.

95 Theses

Martin Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic Church that began the Reformation.

Cortes

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire.

Akbar

Mughal emperor known for religious tolerance and strong leadership.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who said people have natural rights—life, liberty, property.

Potosi

Silver-rich mining city in the Andes used heavily by the Spanish.

Middle Passage

The brutal transatlantic journey enslaved Africans were forced to endure.

Daimyo

Powerful Japanese landholding lords under the shogun.

Ottomans

Empire centered in Turkey known for military strength and control of Southeast Europe.

Songhay

West African empire known for trade and Islamic learning centers.

Tokugawa

Japanese shogunate that isolated Japan and maintained strict social order.

Renaissance

Period of renewed interest in art, learning, and classical ideas in Europe.

Shah Abbas the Great

Major leader of the Safavid Empire who expanded and strengthened it.

Syncretic religions

Belief systems that blend elements from multiple religions.

Humanism

Renaissance idea focusing on human achievements and potential.

Absolute monarchy

System where a king or queen holds complete power.

Shah

Title for rulers in Persia/Iran.

Scientific Revolution

Period of major advances in science, astronomy, and medicine.

Manchus

People who founded China’s Qing Dynasty.

English East India Company

British trading company that controlled parts of India.

Copernicus

Scientist who proposed the heliocentric (sun-centered) solar system.

Mestizo

Person of mixed Native American and European ancestry.

Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman soldiers taken as Christian boys and trained for service.

Enlightenment

Movement focused on reason, rights, and improving government.

Indulgences

Paid pardons sold by the Catholic Church for forgiveness of sins.

Vasco de Gama

Explorer who found the sea route from Europe to India around Africa.

Viceroy

Spanish colonial governor ruling in the king’s name.

Mali

West African empire famous for gold and leaders like Mansa Musa.

Lateen sail

Triangular sail that allowed ships to sail against the wind.

Patriarchy

System where men hold most political and social power.

Peter the Great

Russian czar who modernized Russia and built St. Petersburg.