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

Period 4 - AP World History Flashcards

Hello, welcome to the ultimate study guide for the AP World History exam. Have fun, and good luck. This is basically a compilation of every notecard term in the unit.

Terms : Hide Images
12436926558Early Modern Periodthe time period of 1450 - 1750 (it is called this because events occurring in this time directly shape regional/political units of todays world)0
12436926559Catholic Reformationthe church's actions to revive their reputation and membership roles in 1545 (regained control of most of southern Europe, Austria, Poland, and much of Hungary)1
12436926560Jesuitsa religious order converting people to return to the church (went to Asia + Americas in 1500's)2
12436926561Thirty Years WarWar within the Holy Roman Empire between German Protestants and their allies (Sweden, Denmark, France) and the emperor and his ally, Spain; ended in 1648 after great destruction with Treaty of Westphalia3
12436926562Treaty of WestphaliaEnded the 30 years war, allowing principalities and cities to choose their own religion, creating a patchwork of religious affiliations through England.4
12436926563English Civil WarThis was the revolution as a result of whether the sovereignty would remain with the king or with the Parliament. Eventually, the kingship was abolished.5
12436926564Scientific Revolutiona new vision of science developed during the renaissance in the 17th + 18th century6
12436926565ScholasticismScholars based their inquiry on the principles established by the church, which sometimes resulted in clases between science and religion7
12436926566Brahe & Keplerdeveloped a more complex theory of planetary motion from Copernicus in 16108
12436926567Galileoused the first telescope during the Renaissance in 1609, where he made many large discoveries in the solar system, until he was put under house arrest for spreading conflicting ideas9
12436926568Isaac Newtondiscovered the basic principles of motion + gravity, where he captured the vision of a entire universe in simple laws10
12436926569Humanisminterest in the capabilities and accomplishments of individuals11
12436926570Patronssupporters of the arts, with payment and such, they found talented artists, often when they were young12
12436926571Mediciwas a powerful family of Florence in the mid to late 1400s that sponsored artists as a rich merchant family13
12436926572Erasmusa humanist Dutch priest that published the first edition of the New Testament in Greek in 151614
12436926573Johan Gutenberga German goldsmith and printer, who created the printing press, in 145415
12436926574Nicolo Machiavellia Renaissance writer who wrote, "The Prince" which was a famous philosophical view of the ideal political leader in the 16th century, in Italian city states16
12436926575Protestant Reformationa religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches17
12436926576IndulgencesThe Catholic Church's grants of salvation for money in the 1500s, and was part of the growing corruption of the church.18
12436926577John CalvinA protestant who established a variation of his beliefs on a stern and vengeful God.19
12436926578Anglican ChurchA form of Christianity established by Henry VIII that was not decided on the grounds of religious belief, but because the pope would not allow him to divorce his wife.20
12436926579Nicholas Copernicusa Polish monk who based tables on those by Nasir Al-Din, an Islamic scholar, to correct inaccurate calendars.21
12436926580Edict of NantesThe granting of tolerance to Protestants through this, which was later revoked by King Louis XIV22
12436926581Martin Luthera German monk who wrote the 95 theses in 1517, which were 95 propositions that criticized the Catholic Church23
12436926582Renaissance ManTitle of a person who was smart and genius in the Renaissance Era.24
12436926583DeismGod built the universe and let it run. Clockmaker theory.25
12436926584Land-based PowersA shift in land based powers where governments controlled lands by building armies, bureaucracies, road, canals, and walls that unified and protected26
12436926585Sea-based PowersSea people built their power by controlling water routes, developing technology to cross the seas, and gaining wealth from trade and land claims.27
12436926586RenaissanceA heightened intellectual and artistic advance from about 1450s, that changed Europe forever28
12436926587Adam SmithHe analyzed the natural law of supply and demand that governed economies in his classic book, "The Wealth of Nations"29
12436926588New MonarchiesMonarchies that emerged that differed from their medieval predecessors in having greater centralization of power, more regional boundaries, and stronger representative institutions30
12436926589Constitutional MonarchyStates where rulers shared power with a parliament, a body of representatives selected by the nobility and urban citizens31
12436926590Gentrythe most powerful members of a society, and landowners that affected the style of the old aristocracy32
12436926591Enlightenmentthe emphasis on human abilities and accomplishments and the importance of independent and rational thought33
12436926592John Lockesought to understand the impact of the "laws of nature" on human liberties34
12436926593Thomas HobbesEnglish materialist and political philosopher who advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings (1588-1679)35
12436926594Montesquieuadmired the British Parliament that had successfully gained power at the expense of the king, who also advocated a three-branch government with three branches that shared political power36
12436926595Voltairewrote witty criticisms of the French monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church. He believed both institutions to be despotic and intolerant, limiting freedoms37
12436926596Rosseauthe most radical of the common philosophers, he proclaimed in his social context that "Man is born free: and everywhere he is in chains". Since society had "Corrupted" human nature, he advocated a return to nature in a small, co-op community38
12436926597HapsburgA powerful family with land claims all over Europe from Spain to Italy to the Netherlands to Hungary, as all the Holy Roman Emperor's had been Hapsburg since 127339
12436926598Holy Roman Empirea place/time where religion remained very important, and religious issues continued to fragment, and strong kings emerged in the 16th century40
12436926599Reconquestthe retaking of land in Iberia by Spain and Portugal in a religious crusade to expand. This conquest advanced in waves over several centuries.41
12436926600Phillip IIruled Spain at the height of its power in the 15th century42
12436926601Divine Rightwith God's blessing of the king's authority, the legitimacy of royalty across Europe was enhanced, and occurred under the reign of Louis XIV during the 17th and 18th centuries43
12436926602Louis XIVUnderstood the importance of a "theatre state", by building a magnificent palace at Versailles, and the apex of absolutism occurred under him44
12436926603Absolute Monarchies vs. limited monarchiesabsolute monarchies held complete control over their kingdom vs. the limited power.45
12436926604Capitalisman economic system based on private ownership of property and business that provide goods to be bough and sold in a free manner46
12436926605Mercantilismthe responsibility of government to promote the states economy to improve the revenues and limit imports to prevent profits from going to outsiders (allows industry to develop their own business)47
12436926606Joint-stock Companiesthese companies organized commercial ventures on a large scale by allowing investors to buy and sell shares. The new capitalist system largely replaced the old guild system of the middle ages.48
12436926607Putting out systemthe concept of producing goods in the countryside outside the guilds control by delivering raw materials to their homes, where they are transformed into finished products to be used up later49
12436926608Bourgeoisemiddle class; factory owners who put long hours and much of their profits into their businesses50
12436926609Balance of Powerstates forming a temporary alliance to prevent the state form being too powerful. (Russia emerged as a major power in Europe after its mediterranean armies got Sweden in the GNW)51
12436926610Versaillesa place where Louis' palace was built symbolizing the French's triumph over the traditional rights of the nobility and clergy. This kept nobles away from plotting rebellions, and 'distracted europe'.52
12436926611Zheng Heled expiditions in Chinese junks across the atlantic ocean, with one goal being to assert Chinas power after the demise of the Yuan dynasty.53
12436926612Yonglesomething of a renegade who supported a series of seven maritimes expeditions. Chinese vessels started to take tribute from those they encountered.54
12436926613Henry the Navigatorthe third son of the portuguese king; devoted his life to navigation, creating a navigation school, which became a magnet for the cartographers of the world55
12436926614Caravela new ship developed by the portuguese, which was much smaller than the junk, but size allowed for exploration of shallower coastal areas56
12436926615Vasco da Gamaset out to find the tip of Africa and connect it to the Indian Ocean, and discovered the fastest and safest ways to travel to Portugal57
12436926616Christopher ColumbusA Genoese mariner who convinced Isabella and Ferdinand to sponsor a voyage across the Atlantic after he was turned down by the Genoese and Portugal. He believed he could reach east Asia by sailing West.58
12436926617Treaty of Tordesillas "Tortillas"a treaty making Spain and Portugal land claim boundary. Portugal pushes its explorations to India and beyond.59
12436926618Magellanhad a ship that was first to circumnavigate the glove, even though Magellan himself died in the phillipines60
12436926619Conquistadorswent to search for gold and convert the natives to Christianity in the interior of Mexico61
12436926620Cortessought to find the Aztec capital, and took over the Aztec land - with help of Amerindians, disease, and technology62
12436926621Moctezumathe Aztec emperor, who welcome the Spaniards at Tenochtitlan, seeing them as god-like. This was a mistake, as this allowed everyone to conquer him.63
12436926622Francisco Pizzaroled a group of soldiers to the Andes to find the Inca. The Incas were weak; Pizzaro conquered and got gold.64
12436926623Ethnocentrismthe term that describes the tendency of human beings to view their own culture as superior65
12436926624De La Casasa conquistador priest who dedicated himself to protecting Amerindian rights66
12436926625Franciscanspeoples who converted new world people to christianity, and took care of the poor.67
12436926626EncomenderosSpanish settlers who were in charge of the natives working on the encomiendas68
12436926627Peninsulariesa fading social class in the new world, composed of the people born in the old world69
12436926628Mestizoscomposed of European and Amerindian children, part of the castas70
12436926629Mulattoescomposed of European and African children, also part of the castas71
12436926630Council of Indiessupervised all government and commercial activity in the Spanish colonies72
12436926631Bartholomew Diasset out to find the tip of Africa and connect beyond it to the Indian Ocean, as well as discovering the fastest and safest ways back to Portugal73
12436926632Encomiendathe system in which conquistadors had forced natives to do work for them74
12436926633Creolescomposed of those born in the new world; a quickly growing class75
12436926634Protestant work ethica work ethic of the protestants that encouraged individual endeavors towards gaining wealth76
12436926635Dutch East India Companya joint stock company that specialized in the spice and luxury trade of the East Indies and quickly gained control of Dutch Trading in the Pacific77
12436926636Lost ColonyThe colony of Walter Raleigh, as well as the first venture to North America by the British on the Carolina Coast.78
12436926637Indentured Servitudea system which was usually ethnically the same as a free settler, but he or she was bound by an "indenture" (contract) to work for a person for four to seven years, in exchange for payment of the new world voyage79
12436926638Columbian exchangethe global diffusion of crops, other plants, human beings, animals, and distance that took place after the European exploring voyages of the New World80
12436926639Middle Passagethe first leg of the atlantic circuit, where ships took slaves to the new world81
12436926640Manila Galleonsships that traveled across the pacific ocean picking up and trading goods, like Asian luxury goods, and silver82
12436926641House of Burgessesthe elected assembly in the colonies that initiated a form of democratic representation83
12436926642Pilgrimssettled first in New England, and wanted to break away completely from the Church of England, sought to pursue spiritual ends in new lands84
12436926643Puritanswanted to purify Church of England, not break with it85
12436926644Iroquois ConfederacyDutch merchants established trading relationships with these guys86
12436926645Plantocracya small number of rich men owns most of the slaves and land, as well as had all the power87
12436926646Manumissionlegal grant of freedom to an individual slave88
12436926647Maroonsrunaway slaves in the Carribean89
12436926648KongoChristian missionaries went to this kingdom just south of the Congo River, where Christian Missionaries converted its inhabitants to Christianity90
12436926649African DiasporaThe spreading of Africans to many other parts of the world, especially the Americas. This is one of the most important demographic changes during 1450 - 175091
12436926650BeninNot really a significant player in the slave trade - relied on traditional products, such as ivory, textiles, and their unique bronze castings92
12436926651Hidden Imamthe 12th descendant of Muhammad, who in the end disappeared as a child93
12436926652Shah Abbas Ibrought the Safavids to the peak of the power, slave infantrymen94
12436926653Devshirmea system that required Christian's of the area to contribute young boys to be the sultans slaves95
12436926654Battle of ChaldrianThe Shi'ite versus Sunni conflict at Chaldrian over religious differences, that set the limits for Shi'ite expansion96
12436926655Gunpowder Empiresan age of time where almost all powerful states used guns to build control/attack (included Russia, Ming and Qing, Japan, the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid and the Mughal empire)97
12436926656Suleiman the Magnificentruled the Ottomans as the empire reached the height of its power. The Ottomans controlled much of the water traffic between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean sea98
12436926657JanissariesChecked the military power of the sultan, being an elite military group99
12436926658Vizierhead of the imperial administration in the Ottoman empire who took care of the day to day work of the empire, aiding the Sultan100
12436926659Ottoman Lakethe Mediterranean Sea controlled by the empire with this name101
12436926660Safavid Empirean empire that grew from a turkish nomadic group, that were Shi'ite muslims102
12436926661Imamsheirs of Muhammad according to Shi'ite muslims103
12436926662Twelver shi'isma religion based on Muslim beliefs, as well as the 'hidden Imam'104
12436926663Baburfounded the Mughal empire, claimed to be a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan (1526)105
12436926664Purdaha woman's seclusion from society in India, which was more enforced for upper class women, who did not leave home unescorted106
12436926665Akbarthe grandson of Babur, who brought the height of the Mughal empire. Also expanded his empire to control much of the subcontinent.107
12436926666Taj Mahala building of beauty built as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal's wife.108
12436926667Satithe ritual suicide of widows by jumping into their husbands pyres, representing the low status of women109
12436926668Mughal Empirean empire that that was a mixture of Mongol and Turkish peoples from Central Asia, which dominated India until the early 1700s110
12436926669Sikhismstarted by Nanuk, who became the first Guru of Sikhism. Sikhism was a following of people who formed a community free of caste divisions111
12436926670Ivan IVIvan the Terrible (his nickname) reflected problems that tsars faced as power increased112
12436926671Great Northern WarWar that was long and costly which came from Peter's modernized armies breaking Swedish control of the Baltic Sea, forcing Europe to see Russia as a major power113
12436926672Kabukia form of drama that consisted of several acts and separate skits with singing, dancing, and elaborate staging. (Actors became well known starts)114
12436926673Ivan IIIdeclared himself as "tsar" (means Caesar) with the claim he was establishing the "Third Rome"115
12436926674BoyarsThe nobility of the Russia feudal based economic system. They also had military responsibilities to overlords, including the tsar116
12436926675Time of TroubleThe time of following Ivan's rule. Ivan executed his oldest son, touching off competition among Boyars for the throne.117
12436926676Peter the GreatThe tsar of Russia in 1682 to 1724, who was most responsible for transforming Russia into a great world power. He understood how things worked globally, and expanded water ports118
12436926677St. PetersburgThe "Window to the West" established by Peter the Great, which was a capital built on the shoes of the newly accessed Baltic Sea (a port for the new navy + allowed closer access to western countries)119
12436926678Table of RanksA system by Peter the Great that allowed officials to attain gov't posistions based on merit, not on aristocracy status (reorganization of Bureaucracy)120
12436926679Tsara derivative of "Caesar", establishing a "3rd rome". This was a major propaganda for Russia121
12436926680DaimyoJapanese territorial lords, who held local control of areas. Some Daimyos had more influence than others, but each maintained his own governments and had his own samurai122
12436926681Tokugawa leyasuFounder of the Tokugawa shogunate123
12436926682Tokugawa Shogunatea centralized government established in 1603 in present day Tokyo. Also called a tent government, which was temporary124
12436926683Alternate attendanceRequired Daimyos to spend every other year at the Tokugawa court, keeping their power in check. Weakened in two ways: their wealth was affected by having two households, and their ability to establish separate power bases was impaired125
12436926684Floating WorldsSettings for the Kabuki plays, which consisted of an urban jumble of buildings, allowing people to escape from the rigid public decorum in outside society126
12436926685Banrakua pupper theater with a team of 3 that told a story through puppets in Japan127
12436926686Queuea Manchu style patch of hair gathered long and uncut in the back, showing submission to the Qing dynasty128
12436926687Macartney Missionthe dispatch of Lord Macartney with other people to China, showing Britain's great interest in the Qing empire, as well the d Macartney esire to reuse the trade system129
12436926688Qing DynastyThe name of the empire after the Ming; seized China from the emperors who could no longer defend their borders from the Manchu130
12436926689Forbidden Citywas the home of the emperor and his family, which expanded service people to 20,000; as the government returned to Beijing from Manjing131
12436926690Kowtowa special, often deep bow to the Chinese emperor. In the Qing dynasty, those who came to see the emperor had to do a special bow consisting of 3 separate kneeling132

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!