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

AP World History Vocab Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9915119716HumanismAn intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements0
9915119717MichelangeloPainted the Sistine Chapel1
9915119718BrunelleschiThe artist and architect credited with discovering linear perspective2
9915119719Leonardo da VinciArtist who used dissection to draw the human body3
9915119720DonatelloFlorentine sculptor famous for his lifelike sculptures (1386-1466)4
9915119721Johannes GutenbergInvented the printing press5
9915119722Printing Pressa machine for printing text or pictures from type or plates.6
9915119723MachiavelliWrote "The Prince", a book that recommended harsh and arbitrary rule for princes7
9915119724ErasmusIn Praise of Folly, well-known learned man, counseled kings and popes8
9915119725Sir Thomas Morewriter in Renaissance; wrote "Utopia", a perfect society9
9915119726William ShakespeareEnglish poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)10
9915119727Martin LutherGerman monk, questioned the Roman Catholic Church, was excommunicated. Wrote the 95 theses11
9915119728CalvinismA body of religious teachings based on the ideas of the reformer John Calvin.12
9915119729King Henry VIIIStarted the Anglican Church because he wasn't granted a divorce. Was excommunicated by the Pope.13
9915119730Church of EnglandThe Anglican church, which unites church and state under the monarchy.14
9915119731Protestant ReformationA split in the church caused by corruption in the church15
9915119732Catholic ReformationCatholic response to the Protestant Reformation; reformed and revived Catholic doctrine.16
9915119733Ignatius LoyolaFounded the Society of Jesus, resisted the spread of Protestantism, wrote Spiritual Exercises.17
9915119734Jesuitsmembers of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola18
9915119735Mediciaristocratic Italian family of powerful merchants and bankers who ruled Florence in the 15th century19
9915119736Van EyckThe Mystic Lamb (using oils)20
9915119737Albrecht DurerGerman painter who combined Italian and Northern Renaissance art techniques21
9915119738Indulgencespardon sold by catholic church to reduce one's punishment22
9915119739Pope Leo Xpope who condemned Luther for heresy and later excommunicated him23
9915119740LutheranA member of a Protestant church founded on the teachings of Martin Luther.24
9915119741John Calvinreligious reformer who believed in predestination and a strict sense of morality for society25
9915119742Council of TrentReaffirmed traditional Catholic teachings, forbade the sale of indulgences26
9915119743Nicolaus CopernicusPolish astronomer who proposed a heliocentric model of the universe27
9915119744GalileoItalian astronomer and mathematician who was the first to use a telescope to study the stars28
9915119745The Indexa list of banned heretical works29
9915119746Tycho Brahebuilt an observatory and recorded his observations. provided evidence for Copernicus's theory30
9915119747Francis Bacondeveloped the scientific method31
9915119748Johannes KeplerGerman astronomer who first stated laws of planetary motion (1571-1630)32
9915119749Sir Isaac NewtonBritish scientist that developed the three laws of motion33
9915119750The Enlightenment"Age of Reason" A movement that emphasized science and reason as the guides to life.34
9915119751MontesquieuGovernment should be separated into branches to prevent one part from getting too much power35
9915119752VoltaireReligion crushes the human spirit, one must cultivate ones own garden36
9915119753David HumeAuthor of An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding37
9915119754Jean Jacques RousseauOne finds freedom by sacrificing some individual rights for the common good38
9915119755Adam SmithSeen as the Father of Capitalism. Published The Wealth of Nations in 1776.39
9915119756Cesar Beccariacriminal justice, reform money system, greatest good for greatest number40
9915119757Immanuel Kantknowledge comes from our inborn ways of organizing sensory experiences41
9915119758Mary WollstonecraftEnglish writer and early feminist who denied male supremacy and advocated equal education for women42
9915119759Deismbelief in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to it.43
9915119760Thomas Hobbesbelieved that people are born selfish and need a strong central authority44
9915119761John Lockebelieved all people have a right to life, liberty, and property45
9915119762Enlightened MonarchsFredrick of Prussia, Catherine of Prussia, Joseph of Austria46
9915119763Neoclassical Period1750-1850 AD47
9915119764Prince Henry the NavigatorThis was the Portuguese Prince that gave steadfast financial and moral support to the navigators48
9915119765Vasco da GamaPortuguese - First European to sail around Africa to India.49
9915119766Christopher ColumbusHe mistakenly discovered the Americas in 1492 while searching for a faster route to India.50
9915119767Treaty of Tordesillasset the boundary established in 1493 to define Spanish and Portuguese possessions in the Americas.51
9917199464foraging societiesNomadic, small communities and population, no political system, economic distribution is more equal52
9927332543pastoral societiessocieties based around the domestication of animals53
9927350381Neolithic RevolutionThe switch from nomadic lifestyles to a settled agricultural lifestyle is this revolution.54
9927350382Agricultural RevolutionAnother name for the Neolithic Revolution55
9927350724Sumerian Civilizationthe first major Mesopotamian civilization; rose in southern Mesopotamia56
9927566506CuneiformA form of writing developed by the Sumerians using a wedge shaped stylus and clay tablets.57
9927567884PolytheismThe belief in many gods58
9927596620ZigguratA rectangular tiered temple or terraced mound erected by the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians59
9927596621Babylonan ancient city of Mesopotamia known for its wealth, luxury, and vice.60
9927590928Code of Hammurabia written code of rules that guided the ancient society of Babylon; dates back to 1772 B.C.61
9927619219HittitesGroup of Indo-European peoples who occupied Anatolia and learned how to use iron in their weapons62
9927621775AssyriansSemitic-speaking people who exploited the use of iron weapons to establish an empire63
9927632008NebuchadnezzarChaldean king who rebuilt Babylon64
9927639675Persian Empirea vast empire in the 400s B.C.E. that ruled over lands in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia65
9927666296King MenesUnited Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom and created the first royal dynasty.66
9927667203Pharoaha king of ancient Egypt, considered a god as well as a political leader67
9927668371HieroglyphicsAn ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds68
9928225107Queen HatshepsutFirst female Egyptian pharaoh who expanded Egyptian trade routes69
9928225108Indus Valley CivilizationEarl civilization that developed along the Indus River, starting in about 2500 B.C.70
9928225109Khyber Passgap in the Hindu Kush mountains which may have been used by migrants from the north of India71
9928225395HarappaA major city of the Indus Valley civilization; flourished around 2000 BCE72
9928229683Mohenjo-DaroIndus Valley city laid out in a grid pattern. Had a complex irrigation and sewer system.73
9928229684AryansA member of the Indo-European people who crossed into India around 1500 BC, major influence on start of Hinduism74
9928229685HinduismA religion native to India, featuring belief in many gods and reincarnation75
9935121909Brahmansa member of the highest Hindu caste, that of the priesthood76
9935121910Shang Chinacontributed to the development of central government in China77
9935121911Patriarchalmale led society and household78
9935121912Zhou Dynastythe longest lasting Chinese dynasty, during which the use of iron was introduced.79
9935121913Mandate of Heavenin Chinese history, the divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority80
9935121914BureaucracyA large, complex organization composed of appointed officials81
9935121915bureaudepartment82
9935121916Bantu Migrationsfarmers and herders who migrated south and spread language and skills-1000BC - 1000AD83
9935121917Jenne-jenoLargest and most fully studied of the cities of the Niger Valley civilization.84
9935121918OlmecThe 1st civilization known for sculpting huge stone heads.85
9935121919ChavinAndean town that was the center of a large Peruvian religious movement from around 900 to 200 B.C.E.86
9935969922Mauryan EmpireFirst empire in India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya87
9935969923Chandragupta Mauryafounder of the Mauryan Empire88
9935969924Asoka MauryaThis Maurya Emperor converted to Buddhism and ruled by its principles89
9935969925Buddhisma religion founded in ancient India by the religious teacher Buddha90
9935969926Rock and Pillar Edictslaws written by Ashoka reminding Mauryans to live generous and righteous lives91
9935969927Chandra Gupta the GreatThe ruler who revived the Mauryan Empire under the Gupta Empire. Ruled from 375 to 415 CE.92
9935969928Gupta EmpireSecond empire in India, founded by Chandra Gupta93
9935969929Arabic numeralsIndian numerical notation brought by the Arabs to the West.94
9935969930Qin Dynasty(221-207 BCE) The first centralized dynasty of China that used Legalism as its base of belief.95
9935969931Great Wall of Chinaa fortification 1,500 miles long built across northern China in the 3rd century BC96
9935969932Qin Shi HuangFounder of the Qin dynasty; first emperor of China97
9935969933Legalisma Chinese philosophy that emphasizes strict obedience to laws98
9935969934Han DynastyChinese dynasty that ruled for most of the period from 202 B.C. to A.D. 22099
9935969935XiongnuA confederation of nomadic peoples living beyond the northwest frontier of ancient China.100
9935969936Wu TiHan "Warrior Emperor" who greatly expanded the empire101
9946962275Satrapa subordinate ruler, often a despotic one.102
9946962276Great Royal Roadthe longest road built by the Persian Empire; 1600 miles from the Persian Gulf to the Aegean Sea103
9946962277LydiansFirst people to come up with a coin system to conduct trade104
9946962278PhoeniciansA maritime people who spread their alphabet to others including the Hebrews, Romans, and Greeks.105
9946962279Hebrewsthe ethnic group claiming descent from Abraham and Isaac (especially from Isaac's son Jacob)106
9946962280PolisA city-state in ancient Greece.107
9946962281Athensthe capital and largest city of Greece108
9946962282Spartaa greek city-state known for its strength and trained warriors109
9946962283The Persian WarsSeries of conflicts between Persia and Greek city-states that resisted Persia's tyrannical rule.110
9946962284Golden Age of Periclesperiod after the Persian wars where Greece was able to enter an age of prosperity and peace111
9946962285Delian LeaguePact joined in by Athenians and other Greeks to continue the war with Persia112
9946962286SocratesGreek philosopher; socratic method--questioning; sentenced to death for corrupting Athens youth113
9946962287PlatoStudent of Socrates, wrote The Republic about the perfectly governed society114
9946962288AristotleA Greek Philosopher, taught Alexander the Great, started a famous school, studied with Plato115
9946962289HomerA Greek poet, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey116
9946962290Peloponnesian Wara war in which Athens and its allies were defeated by the league centered on Sparta117
9946962291MacedoniaAn ancient kingdom north of Greece, whose ruler Philip II conquered Greece in 338 B.C.E118
9946962292Alexander the GreatKing of Macedonia who conquered Greece, Egypt, and Persia119
9946962293Hellenismthe principles and ideals associated with classical Greek civilization120
9946962294PatriciansThe wealthy, hereditary aristocrats during the Roman era.121
9946962295PlebeiansAll non-land-owning, free men in Ancient Rome122
9946962296Twelve Tables of RomeFormed the centerpiece of the constitution of the Roman Republic; included the 5 Common Principles.123
9946962297Punic WarsWars fought between Rome and Carthage124
9946962298Hannibalgeneral who commanded the Carthaginian army in the second Punic War125
9946962299First Triumvirate60 BCE, unofficial coalition between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus126
9946962300Caesaran ancient Roman emperor127
9946962301Second TriumvirateOctavian (Augustus), Marc Antony, Lepidus128
9946962302OctaviusCaesar's adopted son and appointed successor.129
9946962303Christianitythe religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices.130
9946962304ConstantineEmperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)131
9946962305Edict of Milan313 CE Constantine makes Christianity the primary religion of the Roman Empire132
9946962306Wang MangFounded the Xin dynasty in 9 CE133
9946962307DiocletianRoman emperor who divided the empire in two and oversaw the eastern part134
9961000533MokshaBecoming liberated for the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism.135
9961004911Four Noble Truthsas taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism136
9961004912TherevadaBuddhists who practiced more traditionally during the 1st century AD were know as what?137
9963294162HinayanaAnother name for Theravada Buddhism138
9963294163Mahayananewer type of Buddhism139
9963294164MuhammadArab prophet; founder of religion of Islam.140
9963294165QuranThe holy book of Islam141
9963294166Five Pillars of IslamDeclaration of faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage142
9963294167Meccathe holiest city of Islam; Muhammad's birthplace143
9963294168Medinaa city in western Saudi Arabia; a city where Muhammad preached144
9963294169Abu BakrFirst caliph of Islam after the death of Muhammad145
9963294170TheocracyA government controlled by religious leaders146
9963294171CaliphateIslamic empire ruled by those believed to be the successors to the Prophet Muhammad.147
9963294172Umayyad Dynasty- established by Mu'awiya (governor of Syria, cousin to Uthman148
9963294173Charles MartelA Frankish leader who rallied warriors to push Muslims out of France149
9963294174Dome of the Rockmosque in Jerusalem; achitecture150
9963294175ShiiteA member of the branch of Islam that supports the descendants of Muhammad as his rightful successors151
9963294176Sunnia Muslim group that accepts only the descendants of the Umayyads as the true rulers of Islam152
9963294177Abbasid Dynasty153

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!