AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP World History Terms to Know Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
4596943257Demographicsstatistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.0
4596944356epidemica widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time1
4596946691Inter- vs Intra-inter- between intra-within2
4596947561deforestationis the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses3
4596947562desertificationthe process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.4
4596948753urbanizationrefers to the increasing number of people that live in urban areas.5
4596948754ruralin, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town6
4596949977textilesa type of cloth or woven fabric.7
4596951854metallurgythe branch of science and technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification8
4596979395maritimeconnected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity9
4596980792monotheismthe doctrine or belief that there is only one God10
4596980793polytheismthe belief in or worship of more than one god11
4596983147semitea member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs.12
4596983148anti-semiticAntisemitism (also spelled anti-Semitism or anti-semitism) is hostility, prejudice or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite.13
4596983768dharmaHindu faith: refers to your duty determined by your caste14
4596983769karma(in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.15
4596984904asceticismsevere self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons16
4596984905atheismdisbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods17
4596985679seculardenoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis18
4596985680non-secularrelating to or involving religious or spiritual matters19
4596987906syncretic/sycretismthe amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.20
4596987907doctrinea belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group21
4596987908reincarnationis the philosophical or religious concept that a living being can begin a new life in a different body after biological death. This is also called rebirth or transmigration, and is a part of the Saṃsāra doctrine of cyclic existence.22
4596989250salvationdeliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.23
4596989251damnationcondemnation to eternal punishment in hell24
4596989252clergythe body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church.25
4596989904revelationa surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.26
4596991027empirical observationalso known as sense experience, is a collective term for the knowledge or source of knowledge acquired by means of the senses, particularly by observation and experimentation.27
4596991028pyramidsa monumental structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top, especially one built of stone as a royal tomb in ancient Egypt.28
4596991963zigguratswere a form of temple common to the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians of ancient Mesopotamia.The earliest examples of the ziggurat date from the end of the third millennium BCE and the latest date from the 6th century BCE.29
4596992789artisansa worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.30
4596994244kabukia form of traditional Japanese drama with highly stylized song, mime, and dance, now performed only by male actors, using exaggerated gestures and body movements to express emotions, and including historical plays, domestic dramas, and dance pieces.31
4596997801codexa quire of manuscript pages held together by stitching: the earliest form of book, replacing the scrolls and wax tablets of earlier times.32
4596997802globalizationworldwide integration and development33
4596998468Book of the Deada collection of ancient Egyptian papyrus books, many with elaborate illustrations, each containing prayers, hymns, incantations, and formulas for the behavior of the souls of the dead.34
4596998469Rig Vedaa compilation of 1028 Hindu poems dating from 2000 bc or earlier35
4597009191Epic of Gilgameshit is often regarded as the earliest surviving great work of literature. is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia36
4597009192Popul VuhCentral American creation myth37
4597009931Analects (Confucius)collection of sayings or ideas attributed to Confucius. Written down by his followers between 475 to 221 BC38
4597009932Hieroglyphicsdesignating or pertaining to a pictographic script, particularly that of the ancient Egyptians, in which many of the symbols are conventionalized, recognizable pictures of the things represented.39
4597011117Cunieformof, relating to, or denoting the wedge-shaped characters employed in the writing of several ancient languages of Mesopotamia and Persia, esp Sumerian, Babylonian, etc40
4597011118Quipua device consisting of a cord with knotted strings of various colors attached, used by the ancient Peruvians for recording events, keeping accounts, etc.41
4597011619alphabetsa system of writing, developed in the ancient Near East and transmitted from the northwest Semites to the Greeks, in which each symbol ideally represents one sound unit in the spoken language, and from which most alphabetical scripts are derived.42
4597012470bureaucracygovernment by many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials.43
4597013322centralized governmentIn a national context, centralization occurs in the transfer of power to a typically sovereign nation state.44
4597013323consolidationto bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine:45
4597014262legitimatizationto justify; sanction or authorize:46
4597014263ideologiesthe body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.47
4597015012revenuethe income of a government from taxation, excise duties, customs, or other sources, appropriated to the payment of the public expenses.48
4597015013tributea gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem.49
4597015832absolutismthe principle or the exercise of complete and unrestricted power in government.50
4597015833communisma theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.51
4597017337conservativismthe disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.52
4597017338constitutional monarchya monarchy governed according to a constitution that limits and defines the powers of the sovereign53
4597017339empirea group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as the former British Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, Byzantine Empire, or Roman Empire.54
4597018073fascisma governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.55
4597018074feudalismthe legal and social system that evolved in W Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries, in which vassals were protected and maintained by their lords, usually through the granting of fiefs, and were required to serve under them in war56
4597018075liberalfavorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.57
4597019561moderatekept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense:58
4597019562monarchya state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch.59
4597019563radicalthoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms:60
4597019564socialisma theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.61
4597020821totalitarianof or relating to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.62
4597020822appeasementto yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles.63
4597021879transoceanicextending across or traversing the ocean:64
4597021880diplomacythe conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations between nations.65
4597022812Imperial/Imperialismthe policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.66
4597022813indigenousoriginating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native67
4597023692conscript or conscriptionto draft for military or naval service.68
4597024386coup d'etata sudden and decisive action in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force.69
4597024854nation-statesa sovereign state inhabited by a relatively homogeneous group of people who share a feeling of common nationality.70
4597025879city-statesa sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city with its dependencies.71
4597026952nationalism/nationalistspirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation. devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism.72
4597028488discontentdissatisfied;73
4597028489reformthe improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.:74
4597029026transregionalbetween regions75
4597029946internationalbetween nations or shared by nations76
4597030497humanitarianhaving concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.77
4597031606commercialable to yield or make a profit:78
4597031607entrepreneursa person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.79
4597032719luxury goodsa material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity:80
4597033838caravana group of travelers, as merchants or pilgrims, journeying together for safety in passing through deserts, hostile territory, etc.81
4597033839caravanserai(in the Near East) an inn, usually with a large courtyard, for the overnight accommodation of caravans.82
4597034779creditconfidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment.83
4597036255monetizationto coin into money:84
4597037074piracypractice of a pirate; robbery or illegal violence at sea.85
4597037075blockadethe isolating, closing off, or surrounding of a place, as a port, harbor, or city, by hostile ships or troops to prevent entrance or exit.86
4597037658boycottto combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion:87
4597037659cartelan international syndicate, combine, or trust formed especially to regulate prices and output in some field of business.88
4597037660commodityan article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.89
4597038230currencysomething that is used as a medium of exchange; money90
4597040145guildan organization of persons with related interests, goals, etc., especially one formed for mutual aid or protection.91
4597040146mercantilisma system of political and economic policy, evolving with the modern national state and seeking to secure a nation's political and economic supremacy in its rivalry with other states. According to this system, money was regarded as a store of wealth, and the goal of a state was the accumulation of precious metals, by exporting the largest possible quantity of its products and importing as little as possible, thus establishing a favorable balance of trade.92
4597044108chattel slaveryis a legal or economic system in which principles of property law are applied to humans allowing them to be classified as property, to be owned, bought and sold accordingly, and they cannot withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement.93
4597044109abolitionto do away with; put an end to; annul; make void:94
4597045375emancipationto free from restraint, influence, or the like.95
4597046005canalsan artificial waterway for navigation, irrigation, etc.96
4597046006corporationan association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members.97
4597046007monopolyexclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices.98
4597048040third-worldthe underdeveloped nations of the world, especially those with widespread poverty.99
4597049661proletariatthe class of wage earners, especially those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment; the working class.100
4597049662bourgeoisiethe class that, in contrast to the proletariat or wage-earning class, is primarily concerned with property values.101
4597050246capitalthe wealth, whether in money or property, owned or employed in business by an individual, firm, corporation, etc.102
4597050247capitalista person who has capital, especially extensive capital, invested in business enterprises.103
4597050248capitalisman economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.104
4597051070laissez-faire105
4597051071free-market106
4597051607tariff107
4597051608protectionism108
4597052202Keynesian economics109
4597052699Adam Smith110
4597052700Karl Marx111
4597054451deficit spending112
4597056567polygamy113
4597056568monogamy114
4597057318matrilineal115
4597057319patrilineal116
4597057320matriarchy117
4597058468patriarchy118
4597058469chivalry119
4597058470feminism120
4597059053griots121
4597059054barbarian122
4597060827aristocracy123
4597060828brahmin124
4597061447kshatriya125
4597062054vaishya126
4597062055shudra127
4597062878dalit128
4597062879social stratification129
4597063752social hierarchies130
4597063753elites131
4597063754eunich132
4597064547Mandate of Heaven133
4597069067pagan134
4597069068domestication135
4597070227deity136
4597070228diffusion137
4597073943dynastic cycle138
4597510472egalitarian139
4597511956theocracy140
4597513842animism141
4597514865codification142
4597528604diaspora143
4597528605manifestations144
4597529403merchants145
4597529404missionaries146
4597530242monastery147
4597530243monastic148
4597531739Sino-149
4597533297feudalism150
4597535243neo-151
4597535244manorialism152
4597577332serfs153
4597577333gentry154
4597618680synthesized155
4597618681tributary system (money)156
4597618707astrolabe157
4597640548encomienda158
4597640549hacienda159
4597640550harem160
4597641929terraces161
4597642425samurai162
4597643401Little Ice Age163
4597643407Caliphate164
4597644576conduits165
4597644577colonies166
4597645995conquistadores167
4597645996Devshirme168
4597646943divine right169
4597647995indentured servitude170
4597648989galleons171
4597658047westernization172
4597701120revolution173
4597701121predominant174
4597702678viceroys175
4597703735utopia176
4597709568exploit177
4597709569hegemony178
4597712517Social Darwinism179
4597712518Spheres of Influence180
4597716854suffrage181
4597720382collectivization182
4597724361mandates183
4597724362fundamentalism184
4597727757self determination185
4597728454terrorism186
4597728455genocide187
4597730627propaganda188
4597730628metropoles189
4597732168proxy wars190
4597732169refugee191
4597735537bedouin192
4597736863paradigms193

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!