AP History

WHAP 1st Semester Exam Review

 (1200-1450 CE) 

Temujin: The birth name of Genghis Khan, he united the Mongol tribes and established the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history

Mongol World War: Refers to the series of conflicts and invasions led by the Mongols in the 13th century, effectively expanding their empire across much of Asia and into Europe

Safavid Empire: A significant Persian dynasty established in the early 16th century, known for its role in the establishment of Twelver Shi'ism and cultural developments in Persia

Chaco Phenomenon: A period of significant architectural and cultural development among the Ancestral Puebloans in the American Southwest, characterized by the construction of large stone structures known as pueblos

Khubilai Khan: Grandson of Genghis Khan, he founded the Yuan Dynasty in China and extended Mongol influence into China and Southeast Asia

Khanate of the Golden Horde: A division of the Mongol Empire that ruled over parts of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it played a key role in trade and cultural exchange in the region

Black Death: A devastating pandemic in the 14th century caused by the bubonic plague, leading to massive population decline in Europe and significant social and economic changes.

Yuan Dynasty: The dynasty founded by the Mongols in China, notable for the integration of various cultures and the facilitation of trade along the Silk Road.

Srivijaya: A maritime empire based on the island of Sumatra, known for its trade, Buddhism, and as a center for cultural exchange in Southeast Asia.

House of Wisdom: A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age located in Baghdad, it was known for the translation of classical texts and advancements in various fields of knowledge

Ming Dynasty: Chinese dynasty known for its cultural and political stability, maritime exploration, and the construction of the Great Wall

Timbuktu: A historic city in Mali, it became an important cultural and trade center in the medieval period, known for its Islamic scholarship and libraries

Great Zimbabwe: An ancient city in present-day Zimbabwe, known for its stunning stone ruins and as a center of trade in the region during the medieval period

Angkor Wat: A large temple complex in Cambodia, initially built as a Hindu temple, it later became a Buddhist site and is renowned for its architectural grandeur

Zheng He: A Chinese explorer of the early Ming Dynasty, known for his voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa, promoting trade and cultural exchange

Khutulun: A Mongolian noblewoman and warrior known for her exceptional skills in wrestling and her role in the Mongol aristocracy.

Swahili Civilization: A culture that emerged along the East African coast, known for its trade, language, and influence in the Indian Ocean trade networks

Ghana: An ancient West African empire known for its wealth, trade in gold, and as a center for Islamic learning

American web: Refers to the trading networks and cultural exchanges among indigenous peoples in the Americas prior to European contact

Song Dynasty: A Chinese dynasty noted for its technological advancements, economic growth, and cultural achievements during a time of prosperity

al-Andalus: A historical region in the Iberian Peninsula that was under Muslim rule, known for cultural and scientific achievements during the Middle Ages

Inca Empire: A South American civilization known for its sophisticated administration, extensive road network, and monumental architecture, centered in modern-day Peru
Byzantine Empire: The continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire known for its distinct culture, architecture (e.g., Hagia Sophia), and role in preserving classical knowledge.

Aztec Empire: A powerful Mesoamerican civilization known for its agricultural innovations, monumental architecture, and complex social and religious practices.

Western Christendom: Refers to the Christian community in Western Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages, characterized by the dominance of the Catholic Church
Hangzhou: The capital of the Song Dynasty, known for its prosperity, beautiful landscapes, and as a center for trade and culture

Seljuk Turks: A medieval Turkic empire known for its political and military dominance in the Middle East and contributions to Islamic culture

Maya civilization: An ancient civilization in Mesoamerica known for its writing system, monumental architecture, and advancements in astronomy and mathematics

Caesaropapism: A political-religious system in which the secular ruler also plays a role in religious leadership, signifying a blending of church and state authority

Roman Catholic Church: The largest Christian church, centered in Vatican City, known for its traditions, beliefs, and role in European history

Ottoman Empire: A powerful empire that spanned three continents, known for its military conquests, administration, and cultural achievements
Crusades: Religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church in the medieval period aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control

Bushido: The ethical code of the samurai in feudal Japan, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and martial arts skills

Constantinople: The capital of the Byzantine Empire, strategically located between Europe and Asia, known for its wealth and cultural significance.

(1450-1750 CE)

Hernan Cortes: A Spanish conquistador known for leading the expedition that caused the fall fo the Aztec Empire

settler colonies: Colines established by settlers who intended to live permanently, often resulting in the displacement of indigenous populations

The Great Dying: A massive decline in indigenous populations in the Americas due to diseases introduced by the Europeans

Mulattoes: People of mixed European and African ancestry, particularly in the Americas

Little Ice Age: A period of cooler temperatures that affected parts of the Northern Hemisphere from the 14th to the 19th centuries

yasak: Tribute paid by the indigenous peoples to the Russian Empire, often in the form of fur.

devshirme: A system in the Ottoman AEmpire where boys from Christain families were taken and trained as elite soldiers or bureaucrats

Qing expansion: The territorial expansion of the Qing Dynasty in China during the 17th and 18th centuries, incorporating various regions

Columbian Ex.: The widespread exchange of plants, animals, culture, humans, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus’s voyages

Mughal Empire: A prominent empire in South Asia known for its cultural achievements and vast territories during the 16th to 18th centuries

Mercantilism: An economic theory that advocates for increasing a nation’s wealth through government regulation of the economy and trade.

Akbar: A significant ruler of the Mughal Empire known for his policies of tolerance cultural integration, and administrative reforms

Mestizo Aurangzeb: A significant figure in the Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent but faced religious tolerance and rebellion challenges.

Benin: A West African kingdom known for its artistry and trade networks

Potosi: A major mining city in Bolivia known for silver production

Maroon Societies: Communities formed by escaped enslaved people in the Americas

Pieces of Eight: Spanish silver coins used in global trade

African diaspora: The dispersion of Africans across the world, particularly due to the slave trade

“silver drain”: The outflow of silver from Europe to Asia, notably in trade.

Transatlantic slave trade: The forced movement of Africans to the Americas

Dutch East India Co.: A trading company established by the Netherlands in Asia

 “soft gold”: A term for fur, particularly in the context of trade in North America

British East India Co.: A powerful trading company influencing British economic interests in India

fur trade: An important economic driver in North America through trading valuable furs

Manila: A key trading hub in the Spanish Empire in Asia

Protestant Reformation: A religious movement against the Catholic Church’s practices, led by figures like Martin Luther

Wang Yangming: A Chinese philosopher known for his contributions to Confucianism.

Martin Luther: A pivotal figure in the Protestant Reformation, he challenged Catholic Church practices with his 95 Theses, advocating for reform and leading to the formation of Protestant

Sikhism: A monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India

Thirty Years War: A destructive conflict in Europe involving religious and political struggles

Copernicus: An astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe

Counter-Reformation: The Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation

Newton: A key figure in the scientific revolution known for laws of motion

Taki Onqoy: A religious revival in Peru against Spanish colonization

Voltaire: A philosopher advocating for civil liberties and separation of church and state

Wahhabi Islam: A conservative Islamic movement originating in Saudi Arabia

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism.

Jesuits: A religious order known for education and missionary work

Galileo: An astronomer who supported Copernican theory and made significant scientific contributions

(600 BCE - 600 CE)

Achaemenid Persian Empire: An ancient empire known for its vast size and efficient administration while facilitating trade and cultural exchange

Jesus of Nazareth: Central figure of Christianity, whose teachings and life had a profound influence on world religion

Alexander the Great: Conqueror who spread Hellenism and culture across a cast empire from Greece to India

Aristotle: Ancient Greek philosopher whose works influenced various fields including philosophy, science, and politics

Hellenism: The spread of Greek culture, language, and influence following the conquests of Alexander the Great

Mauryan Empire: An acient Indian empire known for its political and military dominance

 Augustus: The first Roman emperor, known for initiating the Pax Romana, a period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire

Han dynasty: A golden age in China known for its centralized government and expansion of trade along the Silk Road

Pax Romana: A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire lasting about 200 years

Qin Shihuangdi: The first empower of China who unified various warring states and established the Qin Dynasty

Legalism: A Chinese political philosophy that emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order

Judaism: A monotheistic religion with a focus on the covenant between God and the Israelites

Confucianism: A Chinese philosophy founded by Confucius that emphasizes social harmony, filial piety, and proper conduct.

Hinduism: An ancient Indian religion focusing on concepts like dharma, karma, and moksha, with sacred texts like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita

Siddhartha Gautama: The founder of Buddhism, known as the Buddha, who taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means to achieve enlightenment

Saint Paul of Tarsus: An important figure in early Christianity, known for his missionary work and epistles, which contributed significantly to the spread of Christian teachings

Need to Know Geographical and Historical Locations

• Hudson Bay

• Lake Baikal

• Kamchatka

• Hormuz

• Potosi

• Samarkand

• Timbuktu

• Hangzhou

• Mogadishu

• Black Sea

• Rome

• Moscow

• Calicut

• Jerusalem

• Cahokia

• Mediterranean Sea

• Mecca

• Constantinople

• Japan

• Malacca

• Jamestown, Virginia

• Great Lakes

• Michilimackinac

• Paris

Historical Events and Processes Summaries

Achaemenid Persia

The Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BCE) was known for its vast size, efficient administration under leaders like Cyrus the Great and Darius I, and innovations such as the Royal Road and postal systems.

Classical Greece

The birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the arts. Major city-states like Athens and Sparta led to cultural achievements and military conflicts such as the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War.

Han China

One of China's golden ages (206 BCE-220 CE), the Han Dynasty centralized government, expanded trade via the Silk Road, and made major contributions in science and technology.

Roman Empire

Lasting from 27 BCE to 476 CE (Western Empire), Rome was known for its legal systems, extensive roads, monumental architecture, and the spread of Christianity.

Alexander the Great

Conquered much of the known world by the age of 32, spreading Hellenistic culture from Greece to India, creating a blend of Eastern and Western traditions.

Judaism

A monotheistic faith originating in the ancient Near East, focusing on the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites, and foundational to Christianity and Islam.

Christianity

Emerging in the 1st century CE in the Roman Empire, Christianity spread globally, emphasizing salvation, teachings of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament.

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 6th century BCE, it teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, spreading from India to Asia.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. Islam emphasizes the Five Pillars, Sharia law, and spread rapidly through trade and conquest.

Hinduism

An ancient Indian religion emphasizing dharma (duty), karma (action), and moksha (liberation), with sacred texts like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita.

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy founded by Confucius focusing on social harmony, filial piety, and proper conduct, influential during various Chinese dynasties.

Zoroastrianism

One of the earliest monotheistic religions, originating in Persia, emphasizing dualism between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu).

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century in India, emphasizing equality, service, and devotion to God.

Silk Road

An ancient network of trade routes connecting Asia to Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods like silk and spices, and spreading ideas and technology.

Sand Road

The trans-Saharan trade network connecting West Africa with the Mediterranean, famous for the exchange of gold, salt, and slaves.

Sea Road

The maritime trade routes of the Indian Ocean, connecting East Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, and spreading culture, goods, and technology.

Mongol Moment

Refers to the period of Mongol dominance (13th-14th centuries) when they created the largest contiguous empire, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

Song/Yuan/Ming/Qing Dynasties in China

• Song Dynasty (960-1279): Innovations in technology, economy, and culture, including gunpowder and paper money.

• Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368): Mongol rule under Kublai Khan; increased trade via the Silk Road.

• Ming Dynasty (1368-1644): Known for maritime exploration (Zheng He), cultural achievements, and restoring Han Chinese rule.

• Qing Dynasty (1644-1912): Expansion into Central Asia and establishment of a multi-ethnic empire.

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires used gunpowder weapons to establish dominance, blending military power with administrative and cultural achievements.

Economic Transformations (1450-1750)

Global trade expanded through European exploration. The Columbian Exchange brought goods, crops, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. Silver trade connected Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Scientific Revolution

Marked a shift in understanding the natural world (16th-17th centuries) through observation and experimentation. Figures include Copernicus (heliocentric theory), Galileo, and Newton (laws of motion).

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority. Key figures include Locke (natural rights), Rousseau (social contract), Voltaire (freedom of speech), and Condorcet (progress).

Protestant Reformation

Initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, challenging Catholic practices like indulgences. His 95 Theses called for reform, leading to the formation of Protestant denominations.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of crops, animals, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds following Columbus's voyages in 1492. It transformed economies and societies globally.

Thirty Years’ War

A religious and political conflict in Europe (1618-1648) between Catholics and Protestants, devastating Germany and ending with the Treaty of Westphalia.