AP World History Unit 0 Vocabulary

Dominant moral and political philosophy in Imperial China. It emphasizes loyalty to the emperor, unequal but reciprocal social relationships, and government based on educated scholar-officials who earn their position through merit.

A Chinese traditional religion that emphasizes harmony and balance with nature. It profoundly influenced Chinese art, science, and culture.

A belief system in China that emphasizes a strong centralized state that enforces strict laws and harsh punishments.

Administrators who work full-time for a government and help to carry out its various functions. Bureaucrats are professionals who have a trained expertise in their area of work.

A system in which a person rises in status based on their qualifications and achievements rather than their personal or family connections.

Respect for one's elders and ancestors. It is a core belief of Confucianism.

Religious tradition that emerged in India and shares many similarities with Hinduism (karma, dharma, reincarnation) but rejects the caste system. Eventually spread to East and Southeast Asia and has three main branches: Mahayana, Theravada, and Tibetan.

Branch of Buddhism that is dominant in Southeast Asia. It attempts to adhere to the original teachings of the Buddha.

Branch of Buddhism that is dominant in East Asia. It encourages believers to become bodhisattvas—people who could go on to nirvana but choose to stay behind and help people on earth.

Strongly monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Mohammed at the start of the Middle Ages. It rapidly spread to in the Middle Ages to include parts of Europe, North and East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The dominant branch of Islam that is practiced in most of the Islamic world.

Minority branch of Islam that is practiced primarily in Persia (modern-day Iran). They believe that the successor to the Prophet Mohammed should be someone from his bloodline.

A subgroup of Muslims who practice a deeply spiritual and mystical version of the Islamic faith. In the history of Islam, it has often produced some of the religion's greatest philosophers and missionaries.

Branch of the Christian religion that is practiced primarily in Eastern Europe. It broke away from the Catholic Church for a variety of reasons during the Middle Ages.

The oldest branch of Christianity that traces its origins to the Roman Empire. It has a defined hierarchy of authority with the Pope at the top. Primarily practiced in Southern Europe, Latin America, and various parts of Africa and Asia.

A religious way of life in which individuals known as monks or nuns devote their lives to spirituality. Some of these groups seclude themselves from the secular society whereas others engage in missionary activity. Most common in Christianity and Buddhism.

People who provide for themselves by tending large herds of domesticated animals, especially horses and cattle.

The government of a country. Typical features include defined borders, a military, and established laws. Many eventually developed a bureaucracy.

The oldest of the major world religions that is primarily practiced in India. It is associated with a strict social caste system.

Type of religious belief that is common in traditional societies, particularly pastoralists and hunter-gatherers. It holds a belief that spirits inhabit all things in nature.

A group of elites who typically own large amounts of land. They also sometimes have titles of nobility such as "Lord."

Having many foreign influences and a diversity of cultures. Typically used to describe major cities that attract foreign visitors and businesspeople.

A social system in which males have most of the political and economic power.

The ability to rise in social class.

When a society is divided into various social classes, such as the caste system in India.

A way of organizing the economy in which workers are forced against their will to perform labor. Some examples include serfdom and slavery.

When different cultures combine to form something new. For example, in Latin America many people mix indigenous religious beliefs with Christianity.

Non-religious.

When someone holds a strong adherence to a religion's original teachings.

When something is officially written into law.

Referring to cities.

The period of human history from 600 BCE to 600 CE. The time of the Roman, Han, and Gupta Empires.

When a city is an independent political entity with its own government.

Period of history from 600 CE to 1450 CE.

When a state encompasses a vast amount of territory and incorporates people with many different cultures, languages, and belief systems.

When the government of a country is merged with a religious belief system.

Anything that can be bought or sold.

When an economy begins to produce commodities for trade rather than for personal consumption.

Connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.

When someone is regarded with lesser importance than someone else.

An established official organization having an important role in the life of a country, such as a bank, church, or government agency.

The region of the world that encompasses Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The Southwestern portion of Asia that includes countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. This region became overwhelmingly Muslim during the Middle Ages.

Region of the world characterized by steppe grasslands. People from this region are often Turkic-speaking pastoral nomads. Some modern-day countries in this region include Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

Region of the world that includes modern-day countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Region of the world that includes modern-day countries such as China, Korea, and Japan.

Region of Europe that includes modern-day countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Romania

Region of Europe that includes modern-day countries such as France, Britain, and the Netherlands.

A historical document that was produced during the time period that a historian is studying.

A text produced by a historian that attempts to tell a coherent narrative about a past event.

A government in which power is concentrated in a central authority to which local governments are subject (such as in imperial China).

Government in which decision-making processes are dispersed throughout the system rather than being concentrated in one person or government body. In feudal Europe, for example, various lords basically controlled their own small kingdoms known as "fiefdoms."

Basic facilities and services that help a society function, such as roads, canals, and bridges. Over time, infrastructure would also include advanced technology such as telecommunications and electrical power.

Architectural constructions of a greater-than-human scale, such as pyramids, temples, and tombs. One of the main purposes is to inspire awe and devotion to a government or a religion.

A geographic region in the western hemisphere that was home of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Includes Mexico and Central America.

A dispersion of people from their homeland

A worker skilled in a craft, such as a blacksmith, potter, or weaver.

Concerning farms, farmers, or the use of land

The characteristics of a population with respect to population size, age, race, and gender, etc.

Money paid by one country to another in return for protection

Relating to government. Could include concepts such as laws, government structure, militaries, methods of rule, etc.

Relating to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Could include concepts such as trade, methods of conducting business, or structures of an economic system.

Relating to the different categories of people in a society. Could include gender, social class, race, etc.

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next. Including things such as language, religion, dress, etc.

Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. Monks and nuns typically lead this type of lifestyle.

When something stays the same over time, or has a strong similarity with something that existed in a previous time period or place

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system

Characterized by staying in one place, such as in agricultural societies

The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another

A philosophical belief system