AP World Vocabulary

Here are very brief definitions for the vocabulary words:

### Unit 1

- Aztecs (Mexica): Indigenous empire in central Mexico known for agriculture and architecture.

- Bhakti Movement: Hindu devotional movement emphasizing personal devotion.

- Buddhism: Religion founded by Buddha focusing on enlightenment and meditation.

- Champa Rice: Fast-maturing rice that improved agricultural productivity in China.

- Dar al-Islam: Regions where Islam is the dominant religion.

- Feudalism: Medieval system of land ownership and service in Europe.

- Filial Piety: Respect and duty to one's parents in Confucianism.

- Foot Binding: Chinese practice of tightly binding girls' feet for beauty.

- Grand Canal: Major waterway in China for trade and transport.

- Great Zimbabwe: Medieval city in southern Africa known for trade.

- Heian Period in Japan: Era of court culture and art in Japan.

- House of Wisdom: Intellectual center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.

- Inca Empire: South American empire known for engineering and agriculture.

- Jihad: Struggle or effort in Islam, often interpreted as a holy war.

- Jizya: Tax on non-Muslims in Islamic states.

- Mamluk Sultanate: Regime in Egypt established by enslaved soldiers.

- Manorialism: Economic system of lords and serfs in medieval Europe.

- Muslim Iberia/ Al-Andalus: Muslim-ruled region in the Iberian Peninsula.

- Neo-Confucianism: Revival of Confucian thought with Buddhist influences.

- Seljuk Empire: Medieval empire in the Middle East and Central Asia.

- Serfdom: System where peasants are bound to the land.

- Sharia: Islamic law governing all aspects of life.

- Song Dynasty: Chinese dynasty known for economic and cultural achievements.

- Srivijaya Empire: Maritime empire in Southeast Asia known for trade.

- Sufism: Mystical branch of Islam focused on personal experience of God.

- Turkic Peoples: Ethnic groups from Central Asia with nomadic traditions.

### Unit 2

- Bananas in Africa: Staple crop improving nutrition and agriculture.

- Banking Houses: Institutions for trade finance in the Middle Ages.

- Bills of Exchange: Financial instruments for transferring money.

- Bubonic Plague: Pandemic in the 14th century causing massive deaths.

- Camel Saddle: Innovation enhancing desert trade transport.

- Caravanserai: Inns for travelers along trade routes.

- Chinggis Khan: Founder of the Mongol Empire.

- Compass and Astrolabe: Navigational tools for maritime exploration.

- The Crusades: Religious wars for control of the Holy Land.

- Diasporic Communities: Groups settled outside their homeland.

- Gunpowder: Explosive substance altering warfare.

- Ibn Battuta: Moroccan explorer known for his travel accounts.

- Indian Ocean Trade Network: Maritime trade routes connecting multiple regions.

- Junks: Large Chinese ships for trade.

- Khubilai Khan: Mongol ruler who established the Yuan Dynasty.

- Mali Empire: Wealthy West African empire known for trade.

- Marco Polo: Venetian explorer who traveled to Asia.

- Mongol Khanates: Divisions of the Mongol Empire ruled by khans.

- Monsoon Winds: Seasonal winds aiding maritime trade.

- Sacking of Baghdad: Mongol conquest leading to cultural decline.

- Samarkand: Key Silk Road city known for trade.

- The Silk Roads: Trade routes connecting East and West.

- Sultanate of Malacca: Maritime trade center in Southeast Asia.

- Swahili City-States of East Africa: Coastal cities thriving on trade.

- Timbuktu: Historic center of trade and scholarship in Mali.

- Trans-Saharan Trade Network: Trade routes across the Sahara Desert.

- Zheng He: Chinese explorer known for maritime voyages.

Let me know if you need any further adjustments!