AP World History Exam Review

Confucianism

A philosophy emphasizing hierarchical human society

Filial piety

Honoring one's parents and ancestors

Neo-Confucianism

Blend of Confucianism with Buddhist and Daoist ideas

Footbinding

Practice in Song China restricting women's rights

Imperial Bureaucracy

Government identity executing the emperor's will

Civil service exam

Merit-based system for bureaucratic jobs

Daoism

Philosophy focusing on nature, simple living, and withdrawal from the world

Buddhism

Religion emphasizing the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

Nirvana

Ultimate goal in Buddhism to dissolve into the oneness of the universe

Theravada Buddhism

Branch in Sri Lanka focusing on traditional teachings

Mahayana Buddhism

Branch in East Asia emphasizing compassion and enlightenment

Silk Road

Network facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia

Caravanserai

Rest stops on the Silk Road for cultural exchange

Gunpowder Empires

Land-based empires expanding with gunpowder weapons

Safavid Empire

Shi'a Muslim state with religious conflicts

Mughal Empire

Sunni empire known for religious tolerance and prosperity

Qing Dynasty

Ethnically Han Chinese dynasty succeeding the Ming

Devshirme system

Ottoman practice of enslaving and training bureaucrats

Zamindar system

Mughal system of local tax collectors

Protestant Reformation

Movement led by Martin Luther against Catholic practices

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of new diseases, food, plants, and animals between the Eastern and Western hemispheres, leading to a massive change in history.

Cash cropping

A method of agriculture where food is grown primarily for export to other places.

Mercantilism

A state-driven economic system emphasizing the buildup of mineral wealth by maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement applying rationalism and empiricist approaches to understand the natural world and human relationships.

Industrial Revolution

The transition from primarily agrarian economies to industrial economies, starting in Great Britain in the 18th century.

Social Darwinism

A concept suggesting that humans can be hierarchically ranked in distinct biological classes based on race, influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Nationalism

A sense of pride and loyalty to one's nation, often leading to political movements for independence or unification.

Social Contract

The idea that human societies, endowed with natural rights, must construct governments to protect these rights.

Laissez Faire

A policy of minimal government interference in the economy, allowing markets to operate freely.

Settler Colonies

Colonies where imperial powers claim already inhabited territories and send their own people to establish settlements.

Empire Expansion

The process of extending influence over territories like Korea, Manchuria, and parts of China.

Direct Resistance

Active opposition to imperial powers due to questions about political authority and growing nationalism.

Export Economies

Economies focused on exporting raw materials or goods for distant markets to serve imperial interests.

Economic Imperialism

Extending control over states through economic means, as seen in the Opium Wars.

Convict Labor

Labor arrangement where individuals work for a set period in exchange for passage to a destination.

Trench Warfare

Military strategy involving protective trenches, often leading to a stalemate during WW1.

Total War

Conflict requiring the mobilization of a country's entire population, both military and civilian, as seen in WW1.

Facism

Political philosophy characterized by extreme nationalism and authoritarian leadership, used notably by Mussolini and Hitler.

Nonviolent Resistance

Peaceful opposition to oppressive regimes, exemplified by figures like Gandhi, MLK, and Mandela.

Glasnost

Policy of "openness" allowing dissent and criticism against the government, part of Gorbachev's reforms in the USSR.

Ceased Military Intervention

The Soviet Union decided to stop using military force to support communist governments in its sphere of influence.

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

The event that led to the reunification of Germany.

Gunpowder

A significant element in this historical period.