AP WORLD HISTORY VOCAB

7th-13th Centuries

Dar al-Islam

Region where Islam is dominant religion, encompassing diverse cultures and societies united by Islamic beliefs and practices.

Sufi

Islamic mystics seeking direct experience of God through meditation, rituals, and spiritual practices, often emphasizing love and devotion.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (618-907) known for cultural flourishing, territorial expansion, and Silk Road trade, promoting art, literature, and Buddhism.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (960-1279) noted for economic prosperity, technological innovation, and urban growth, with advancements in agriculture, commerce, and printing.

Champa rice

Fast-maturing rice from Vietnam, enhancing agriculture in China with higher yields and supporting population growth.

Grand Canal

Major waterway facilitating trade in China, connecting northern and southern regions and enabling efficient transportation of goods and resources.

Wu Zhao

First and only female emperor of China, ruling during the Tang Dynasty and promoting Buddhism and administrative reforms.

Neo-Confucianism

Philosophical revival of Confucian thought in China, integrating Buddhist and Daoist ideas and emphasizing moral self-cultivation and social harmony.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam and its final prophet, receiving divine revelations and establishing the religious, social, and political foundations of Islam.

Sharia Law

Islamic legal framework governing public and private life, based on the Quran, Sunnah, and interpretations by Islamic scholars, providing guidance on various aspects of behavior and conduct.

Umayyad Caliphate

First major Islamic caliphate (661-750), expanding rapidly across the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain, with its capital in Damascus.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic caliphate (750-1258) known for cultural and scientific achievements, with its capital in Baghdad, fostering intellectual exchange and innovation.

Sultanate of Delhi

Islamic kingdom in India from 1206 to 1526, establishing Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent and promoting Indo-Islamic culture and architecture.

Monsoon winds

Seasonal winds influencing South Asian climate and agriculture, bringing rainfall during the summer and affecting crop cycles and livelihoods.

Kingdom of Axum

Ancient African kingdom known for trade and Christianity, with its capital in present-day Ethiopia, engaging in commerce with the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula.

Swahili coast

East African trade region with diverse cultures, connecting Africa with the Indian Ocean trade network and fostering maritime commerce and cultural exchange.

Mali Empire

West African empire known for wealth and trade, controlling gold mines and trade routes across the Sahara Desert and promoting Islamic scholarship and culture.

Mansa Musa

Famous ruler of Mali, known for pilgrimage and wealth, undertaking a grand pilgrimage to Mecca and showcasing Mali's prosperity and influence.

Great Zimbabwe

Ancient city known for stone structures and trade, serving as the capital of a thriving kingdom in southern Africa and engaging in regional commerce.

Uyghurs

Turkic ethnic group in Central Asia, playing a significant role in Silk Road trade and serving as intermediaries between various cultures and empires.

Chinggis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire, unifying Mongol tribes and launching military campaigns that created the largest contiguous empire in history.

Mongol Empire

Largest contiguous empire in history, spanning Eurasia and facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and the movement of people and ideas across the continent.

Kubilai Khan

Grandson of Chinggis Khan, founder of Yuan dynasty in China, adopting Chinese customs and ruling as emperor, promoting trade and cultural integration.

Yuan Empire

Mongol dynasty ruling China from 1271 to 1368, implementing policies influenced by Chinese traditions and fostering cultural exchange between the East and West.

4 Khanates

Division of the Mongol Empire into four regions, each ruled by a descendant of Chinggis Khan and governing diverse territories and populations.

Gujarat

Region in India known for trade and commerce, serving as a major center for maritime trade in the Indian Ocean and connecting India with global markets.

14th-16th Centuries

Aztec Empire

Mesoamerican civilization known for agriculture and human sacrifice, building monumental cities and practicing complex religious rituals.

Bloodletting

Ritual practice in Aztec religion for appeasing gods, involving the extraction of blood as a form of sacrifice and communication with the divine.

Incan Empire

South American empire known for engineering and agriculture, constructing roads, bridges, and terraces in the Andes Mountains and implementing efficient agricultural systems.

Quipu

Incan record-keeping system using knotted strings, enabling the recording of data, statistics, and narratives in the absence of a written script.

Silk Road baggage

Goods transported along the Silk Road trade route, including silk, spices, tea, porcelain, and other commodities exchanged between East and West.

Osman I

Founder of the Ottoman Empire, establishing a dynasty that would rule for centuries and expand across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

Ibn Battuta

Famous Moroccan traveler and explorer, journeying across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and documenting his experiences and observations.

Marco Polo

Italian merchant who traveled to Asia, serving in the court of Kubilai Khan and documenting his travels and experiences in China and other regions.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly pandemic that swept through Europe and Asia, causing widespread death and social disruption and impacting economic and demographic trends.

Astrolabe

Ancient instrument for solving problems related to time and the position of the Sun and stars, used for navigation, astronomy, and surveying.

Byzantine theme system

Military and administrative structure of Byzantine Empire, organizing territories into districts governed by military leaders and providing defense against external threats.

Ottoman Empire

Major Islamic empire from 1299 to 1922, expanding across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe and exerting significant political and cultural influence.

Devshirme

Ottoman practice of recruiting boys for military service, selecting Christian youths from conquered territories and converting them to Islam and training them as soldiers or administrators.

Jannisaries

Elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire, composed of soldiers recruited through the devshirme system and known for their military discipline and loyalty.

Divine right of rule

Belief that monarchs derive authority from God, justifying absolute rule and influencing political ideologies in Europe and other regions.

Hanseatic League

Commercial alliance of northern European cities, promoting trade and economic cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

St Thomas Aquinas

Theologian who integrated faith and reason, synthesizing Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology and influencing Western thought.

Reconquista

Effort to reclaim Iberian Peninsula from Muslims, spanning centuries and resulting in the establishment of Christian kingdoms and the expulsion of Muslims and Jews.

Renaissance

Cultural revival in Europe, emphasizing art and learning, fostering creativity, innovation, and a renewed interest in classical antiquity.

Protestant Reformation

Movement challenging Catholic Church's practices and authority, leading to the establishment of Protestant denominations and religious conflict and divisions.

Catholic Reformation

Catholic response to Protestant Reformation, reforming practices and reaffirming doctrines, seeking to revitalize the Church and counter Protestant influence.

Mughal Empire

Muslim empire in India known for cultural achievements, blending Persian and Indian traditions and promoting art, architecture, and literature.

Safavid Empire

Persian empire known for establishing Shia Islam as the state religion, promoting religious identity and engaging in conflicts with neighboring Sunni empires.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty known for trade expansion and cultural achievements, investing in maritime expeditions and promoting Chinese arts and scholarship.

Zheng He

Chinese explorer known for maritime expeditions, leading fleets across the Indian Ocean and establishing trade relations with various countries.

Dutch East India Company

Trading company established for Asian trade, dominating maritime commerce in the Indian Ocean and exerting political influence in Southeast Asia.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of goods between the Americas and Europe, leading to the exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures and transforming agriculture and societies.

17th-18th Centuries

Joint-stock company

Business entity where shares are owned by shareholders, enabling the pooling of capital for ventures.

Seven Years War

Global conflict between major powers from 1756 to 1763, reshaping colonial empires and influencing political alliances and rivalries.

Printing Press

Invention that revolutionized information dissemination, enabling the mass production of books and promoting literacy, education, and the spread of knowledge.

Glorious Revolution

Overthrow of King James II of England, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and influencing political thought and governance.

Peter the Great

Russian czar known for westernizing Russia, implementing reforms to modernize the military, administration, and society and expanding Russian influence.

Peace of Westphalia

Treaties ending the Thirty Years' War in 1648, establishing principles of sovereignty and diplomacy and reshaping the political map of Europe.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and free markets, promoting competition, innovation, and economic growth.

Scientific Revolution

Period of advancements in scientific thought and discovery, challenging traditional beliefs and promoting empirical observation, experimentation, and reason.

Viceroy

Governor ruling a colony on behalf of a monarch, representing the interests of the colonial power and overseeing administration and governance.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Agreement dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, establishing spheres of influence and shaping colonial expansion in the Americas.

Mit'a system

Incan labor system for public projects, requiring citizens to contribute labor for construction, agriculture, and other state projects.

Encomienda

Spanish labor system exploiting indigenous populations, granting Spanish settlers the right to demand labor and tribute from Native Americans in exchange for protection and Christianization.

Social Classes in the New World

Hierarchical structure based on race and origin, reflecting colonial power dynamics and social inequalities in the Americas.

Maroon societies

Communities of escaped slaves in the Americas, resisting slavery and establishing autonomous settlements in remote areas.

Mercantilism

Economic theory emphasizing trade and accumulation of wealth, promoting protectionist policies and aiming to maximize exports and minimize imports.

Indentured labor

Labor system where workers contract for passage, offering labor in exchange for transportation and eventual freedom.

Bartolome de las Casas

Advocate for indigenous rights in colonial America, criticizing the exploitation and mistreatment of Native Americans and advocating for their protection.

Kingdom of Kongo

Central African kingdom known for trade and culture, engaging in commerce with Europeans and participating in the transatlantic slave trade.

Triangle Trade

Transatlantic trade route linking Europe, Africa, and Americas, involving the exchange of goods, slaves, and resources and shaping economic and demographic patterns.

African diaspora

Dispersal of Africans due to slavery and colonization, resulting in the spread of African culture, traditions, and heritage around the world.

Olaudah Equiano

Former slave and abolitionist writer, documenting his experiences and advocating for the end of the slave trade.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Feudal regime in Japan from 1603 to 1868, centralizing power and enforcing social hierarchy and isolationist policies.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism, promoting ideas of natural rights, democracy, and progress and influencing political revolutions and reforms.

Natural Rights

Philosophical concept of inherent human rights, including the rights to life, liberty, and property, influencing political and social thought and movements.

Social Contract

Theory of political legitimacy based on mutual agreement, positing that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and uphold the rights and interests of the people.

French Revolution

Revolution overthrowing the monarchy in France, promoting ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity and inspiring political and social change worldwide.

Declaration of Rights of Man

Fundamental document of the French Revolution, asserting the rights and freedoms of citizens and influencing constitutionalism and human rights movements.

Declaration of the Rights of Woman

Advocacy for women's rights during the French Revolution, challenging gender inequality and promoting women's political and social empowerment.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French military leader who became emperor, conquering much of Europe and implementing legal and administrative reforms, influencing European politics and warfare.

19th Century

Simon Bolivar

Leader of Latin American independence movements, liberating several countries from Spanish rule and advocating for regional unity and cooperation.

Haitian Revolution

Successful slave revolt leading to Haiti's independence, demonstrating the power of resistance and challenging colonial domination and slavery.

Giuseppe Mazzini

Italian nationalist advocating for unification, promoting the idea of a unified Italian republic and inspiring nationalist movements.

Guiseppe Garibaldi

Key figure in Italian unification, leading military campaigns and uniting southern Italy with the north, contributing to the formation of the Kingdom of Italy.

Congress of Vienna

Meeting to restore European stability after Napoleon, redrawing political boundaries and establishing a balance of power to prevent future conflicts.

James Watt

Inventor who improved the steam engine, revolutionizing industry and transportation and contributing to the Industrial Revolution.

Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith's work on economic theory, advocating for free markets and capitalism and influencing economic thought and policy.

Karl Marx

Philosopher advocating for socialism and class struggle, analyzing capitalism and advocating for a communist revolution to create a classless society.

Charles Fourier

Socialist thinker advocating for cooperative societies, proposing the creation of phalanxes based on communal living and shared labor.

Robert Owen

Social reformer promoting workers' rights, advocating for improved working conditions, education, and social welfare.

Thomas Malthus

Economist known for population growth theories, arguing that population growth tends to outstrip resources and leading to poverty and misery.

Father Miguel Hidalgo

Leader of Mexican War of Independence, inspiring a popular uprising against Spanish rule and advocating for social justice and equality.

Caudillo

Military or political leader in Latin America, often wielding authoritarian power and dominating regional politics.

Francisco (Pancho) Villa

Mexican revolutionary leader and folk hero, fighting for land reform and social justice during the Mexican Revolution.

Mahmud II

Ottoman sultan known for modernization efforts, implementing reforms in the military, administration, and education to strengthen the empire.

Young Turks

Reformist group seeking to modernize the Ottoman Empire, advocating for constitutionalism and secularism and leading a revolution to overthrow the sultan.

Decembrist Revolt

Failed uprising against Russian autocracy in 1825, advocating for constitutional reforms and inspiring future revolutionary movements.

Crimean War

Conflict between Russia and an alliance of powers, revealing Russia's military weaknesses and prompting reforms in the Russian army and administration.

Opium War

Conflict between Britain and China over opium trade, leading to unequal treaties and opening China to foreign influence and trade.

Extraterritoriality

Legal immunity for foreigners in a country, granting them exemption from local laws and regulations and undermining sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Taiping Rebellion

Massive civil war in China against Qing dynasty, advocating for social and religious reforms and challenging traditional authority and social order.

Boxer Rebellion

Anti-foreign uprising in China in 1900, targeting foreign missionaries and businesses and leading to intervention by foreign powers.

Meiji Restoration

Period of rapid modernization in Japan, adopting Western technologies and institutions and transforming Japan into a major industrial and military power.

Social Darwinism

Application of Darwin's theories to social policies, justifying social inequality and imperialism and influencing ideologies of racial superiority and domination.

White Man's Burden

Justification for imperialism as a moral obligation, asserting the duty of Western powers to civilize and Christianize non-Western peoples.

Cecil Rhodes

British imperialist and founder of Rhodesia, advocating for British expansion in Africa and exploiting its resources for economic gain.

Suez Canal

Waterway connecting Mediterranean and Red Seas, facilitating trade between Europe and Asia and enhancing maritime commerce and strategic importance.

Sepoy Rebellion

Indian uprising against British rule in 1857, triggered by grievances over religious and cultural issues and leading to direct British control over India.

Indian National Congress

Political party advocating for Indian independence, promoting nationalist sentiment and leading the struggle for self-rule and freedom.

The Scramble for Africa

Rapid colonization of Africa by European powers, dividing the continent into colonies and exploiting its resources and labor.

David Livingstone

Explorer and missionary in Africa, mapping the continent and advocating for the abolition of the slave trade and the spread of Christianity.

King Leopold II

Belgian king known for exploitation of Congo, establishing a personal colony and subjecting the Congolese people to brutal forced labor and resource extraction.

Zulu Kingdom

African kingdom known for military organization, resisting European colonization and expanding its territory through military campaigns.

Boer War

Conflict between British and Dutch settlers in South Africa, leading to British control over the region and the establishment of a policy of racial segregation.

Berlin Conference

Meeting to regulate European colonization of Africa, establishing rules and guidelines for the division of the continent among European powers.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in Americas, asserting American influence in the Western Hemisphere and preventing European intervention.

Spanish American War

Conflict leading to U.S. control over former Spanish colonies, resulting in the acquisition of territories such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Russo Japanese War

Conflict between Russia and Japan over imperial ambitions, demonstrating Japan's military strength and shifting the balance of power in East Asia.

20th Century

MAIN causes of WW1

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism.

Franz Ferdinand

Austrian archduke whose assassination sparked WW1, triggering a chain of events that led to global conflict.

Schlieffen Plan

German military strategy for a two-front war, aiming to quickly defeat France before turning to Russia, but failing due to logistical and strategic challenges.

Armenian genocide

Mass killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of the Armenian population.

Balfour Declaration

British statement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the State of Israel and influencing Middle Eastern politics.

Bolshevik Revolution

1917 uprising leading to Soviet government establishment, overthrowing the Tsarist regime and establishing a communist state.

Sussex pledge

German promise to restrict submarine warfare, limiting attacks on passenger ships to avoid provoking the United States.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Peace treaty ending Russia's involvement in WW1, ceding territory to Germany and altering the balance of power in Eastern Europe.

Zimmerman telegram

German proposal to Mexico to join WW1 against U.S., intercepted by British intelligence and prompting the United States to enter the war.

Wilson's 14 points

President Wilson's principles for peace after WW1, advocating for self-determination, open diplomacy, and the establishment of a League of Nations.

Mandate System

Post-WW1 arrangement for governing former Ottoman territories, assigning administration to Allied powers and setting the stage for future conflicts and independence movements.

Mustafa Kemal

Founder of modern Turkey and its first president, implementing reforms to secularize and modernize the country and establishing a new national identity.

Crash of 1929

Stock market collapse leading to the Great Depression, triggering a global economic crisis and causing widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

FDR New Deal

Series of programs to recover from the Great Depression, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and expanding the role of government in the economy and society.

Stalin Five Year Plan

Economic plans to industrialize the Soviet Union, transforming the country into a major industrial power but also causing widespread suffering and repression.

Nuremberg Laws

Anti-Semitic laws enacted in Nazi Germany, persecuting Jews and stripping them of their rights and freedoms.

Mohandas Gandhi

Leader of Indian independence movement through non-violence, inspiring millions and advocating for self-rule and social justice.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Leader advocating for Pakistan's independence, seeking to create a separate Muslim state to protect the rights and interests of Muslims in India.

Sun Yatsen

Chinese revolutionary leader and first president of Republic, overthrowing the Qing dynasty and advocating for democracy, nationalism, and social reform.

Mao Zedong

Communist leader who established the People's Republic of China, implementing radical policies and transforming Chinese society and politics.

Jomo Kenyatta

Leader of Kenya's independence movement, advocating for self-rule and leading the country to independence from British colonial rule.

Pan-Africanism

Movement promoting unity among African nations, advocating for cooperation, solidarity, and the liberation of Africa from colonial rule.

Fidel Castro

Cuban revolutionary leader and prime minister, overthrowing the Batista regime and establishing a socialist state in Cuba.

Good Neighbor Policy

U.S. policy promoting friendly relations with Latin America, reducing intervention and supporting economic cooperation and development.

Rape of Nanjing

Japanese invasion resulting in mass atrocities in China, including the massacre of civilians and prisoners of war and widespread sexual violence.

Appeasement

Policy of conceding to aggression to avoid conflict, adopted by Western powers toward Nazi Germany and failing to prevent the outbreak of World War II.

Battle of Britain

Air campaign waged by Germany against the UK, failing to defeat the British and marking a turning point in World War II.

Pearl Harbor

Japanese attack leading to U.S. entry into WW2, prompting the United States to join the Allied forces and fight against the Axis powers.

Holocaust

Systematic genocide of Jews during WW2, resulting in the death of millions and marking one of the darkest chapters in human history.

United Nations

International organization promoting peace and cooperation, providing a forum for diplomacy and collective action to address global challenges.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to contain communism during the Cold War, providing military and economic assistance to countries threatened by communist expansion.

Marshall Plan

U.S. aid program for European recovery post-WW2, providing financial assistance to rebuild economies and promote stability and cooperation.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, countering NATO and solidifying Soviet influence in the region.

Domino theory

Belief that communism would spread like falling dominos, justifying intervention in conflicts and supporting anti-communist regimes.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war and leading to a negotiated resolution.

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese leader advocating for independence from France, leading the struggle for national liberation and establishing a communist state in Vietnam.

Apartheid

System of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa, discriminating against black Africans and denying them basic rights and freedoms.

African National Congress

Political party leading the struggle against apartheid, advocating for equality and justice and mobilizing resistance against racial segregation.

Nelson Mandela

Anti-apartheid revolutionary and South Africa's first black president, spending decades in prison for his activism and leading the transition to a democratic society.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's campaign to rapidly industrialize China, resulting in economic collapse, famine, and widespread suffering due to unrealistic targets and mismanagement.

Deng Xiaoping

Chinese leader known for economic reforms, opening China to foreign investment