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

The Post Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
11364893083600CE-1450CEthe timeframe for the post-classical period0
11364893200Japanese Feudalism1
11364893201European Feudalism2
11364893084FeudalismBasic concept refers to the political and social order of medieval Europe; based on a hierarchy of lords and vassals who controlled political and military affairs3
11364893085Neo-ConfucianismA philosophy that emerged in Song-dynasty China; it revived Confucian thinking while adding in Buddhist and Daoist elements.4
11364893086Tang DynastyThis dynasty made good use of the Han's development of bureaucracy by recruiting government officials who were well educated, loyal, and efficient. Although powerful families used their resources to place relatives in government positions, most bureaucrats won their posts because of intellectual ability.5
11364893087bureaucracysystem of managing government through departments run by appointed officials (not elected)6
11364893088CaliphateOffice established in succession to the Prophet Muhammad, to rule the Islamic empire; also the name of that empire.7
11364893089CrusadesA series of holy wars from 1096-1270 AD undertaken by European Christians to free the Holy Land from Muslim rule.8
11364893090Islamthis religion was a unifying force in culture aspects of Eurasia and Africa - similar religion (Islam), similar language (Arabic), similar art (forbids art of humans.9
11364893091Arabesque designgeometric designs; no human figures in art10
11364893202Trans-Sahara trade11
11364893203Indian Ocean trade12
11364893204Silk routes13
11364893092Mongol EmpireAn empire founded in the 12th century by Genghis Khan, which reached its greatest territorial extent in the 13th century, encompassing the larger part of Asia and extending westward to the Dnieper River in eastern Europe.14
11364893093Mayan EmpireThe major civilization in Southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula from 150 B.C.E. to 900 C. E.; kings were not divine, created calendars, used terraced farming, human sacrifices, and was the only Mesoamerican civilization to have a written language15
11364893094Muhammadconsidered by Muslims to be the last messenger and prophet sent by God to guide humanity to the right way16
11364893095JustinianEastern Roman emperor between 527 and 565 CE; tried to restore unity of old Roman Empire; issued most famous compilation of Roman Law; extended later Roman architecture17
11364893096Genghis Khan(1167?-1227) One of the Mongol's greatest leaders and founder of the Mongol Empire.18
11364893097Kubilai Khangrandson of Genghis Khan. He conquered China, founding and becoming the first emperor of the country's Yuan Dynasty19
11364893098Marco Polo(1254-1324) Italian explorer and author. He made numerous trips to China and returned to Europe to write of his journeys. He is responsible for much of the knowledge exchanged between Europe and China during this time period.20
11364893099Ibn Battuta(1304-1369) Morrocan Muslim scholar, the most widely traveled individual of his time. He wrote a detailed account of his visits to Islamic lands from China to Spain and the western Sudan. His writings gave a glimpse into the world of that time period.21
11364893100SaladinMuslim leader in the last decades of the 12th century; reconquered dost of the crusader outposts for Islam22
11364893101Mansa Musagreatest Mali king; brought Mali to its peak of power and wealth from 1312 the 1337; expanded borders, maintained peace and order, religious freedom and tolerance; hajj to Mecca; built Timbuktu23
11364893102Zheng Hea Chinese admiral that was sent on expeditions to form relationships between China and other countries (Ming Dynasty)24
11364893103Sui DynastyAs one of the ephemeral dynasties in Chinese history, this existed for only 38 years, was established by Yang Jian in 581. Built a strong central government with work done by peasants. Public works projects included palaces, granaries, and repair of defensive walls; Most elaborate project was the Grand Canal.25
11364893104Tang Dynasty(618-907 CE) The Chinese dynasty that was much like the Han, who used Confucianism. This dynasty had the equal-field system, a bureaucracy based on merit, and a Confucian education system.26
11364893105Song Dynasty(960 - 1279 CE); this dynasty was started by Tai Zu; by 1000, a million people were living there; started feet binding; had a magnetic compass; had a navy; traded with india and persia (brought pepper and cotton); first to have paper money, explosive gun powder; *landscape black and white paintings.27
11364893106Ming DynastySucceeded Mongol Yuan dynasty in China in 1368; lasted until 1644; initially mounted huge trade expeditions to southern Asia and elsewhere, but later concentrated efforts on internal development within China.28
11364893107Yuan Dynasty(1279-1368 CE) The dynasty with Mongol rule in China; centralized with bureaucracy but structure is different: Mongols on top->Persian bureaucrats->Chinese bureuacrats.29
11364893108Ghana Empire(800CE-1050CE) Complex societies based on trans-Saharan trade with salt and gold had existed in the region since ancient times located on Niger and Senegal River; "Land of Gold"30
11364893109Mali Empire(1235CE-1450CE) established by Sundial, their greatest emperor was Mansa Musa, expanded borders to Atlantic ocean and converted to Islam (located in northwestern Africa)31
11364893110Delhi SultanateCentralized Indian empire of varying extent, created by Muslim invaders. (1210 - 1256)32
11364893111Kievan RussiaA monarchy established in present day Russia in the 6th and 7th centuries. It was ruled through loosely organized alliances with regional aristocrats from. The Scandinavians coined the term "Russia". It was greatly influenced by Byzantine Empire. Conquered by the Mongols in the thirteenth century.33
11364893112Golden HordeOne of four regional subdivisions of the Mongol Empire after the death of Chinggis Khan; conquered and ruled Russia during the 13th and 14th centuries34
11364893113Ottoman Empire- Western Turkey, 1299-1923 - Conquered Byzantine Empire - Capital: Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) - Covered most of old Roman and Byzantine territories - Became very wealthy because ease of trade35
11364893114Mughal Empire- Ruled over India, 1526-1857 - Islam was the official religion - Known for building Taj Mahal36
11364893115Safavid Empire- Ruled over Iran, 501-1736 - Trade/Commerce experienced success through European participation in Iranian territories - Used missionaries to spread Shia Islam37
11364893116Qu'ranRevelations believed to be sacred words of Allah38
11364893117Umayyad Dynastyruled the dar al-islam as conquerors and their policies reflected the interests of the Arab military aristocracy. short dynasty39
11364893118Abbasid EmpireEmpire that: - Claimed descent from Muhammad's uncle; more acceptable to Shi'ites - Changed policies opening religion to all on equal basis - Helped est. Islam as a universalizing religion - Cosmopolitan mix of cultures emerged Golden Age of Islam Problems with governing vast area40
11364893119Bantu Migrationgroup of 300 common but distinct languages called Bantu ("people") 500 BCE to 1000 CE - massive transfer of Bantu languages and lifestyles southward from their home in modern Nigeria, creating Pan-African traditions and practices41
11364893120dhowsships used in the indian ocean trade routes42
11364893121Mit'aAndean labor system based on shared obligations to help kinsmen and work on behalf of the ruler and religious organizations.43
11364893122TerracingA soil conservation technique that prevents erosion on STEEP hills by heavy rains.44
11364893123ChinampasRaised fields constructed along lake shores in Mesoamerica to increase agricultural yields.45
11364893124ConstantinopleA large and wealthy city that was the imperial capital of the Byzantine empire and later the Ottoman empire, now known as Istanbul.46
11364893125Chinese JunkA very large flat-bottom sailing ship produced in the Tang and Song Empires, specially designed for long-distance commercial travel.47
11364893126BantuA major African language family. Collective name of a large group of sub-Saharan African languages and of the peoples speaking these languages. Famous for migrations throughout central and southern Africa.48
11364893127DhowArab sailing vessels with triangular or lateen sails; strongly influenced European ship design.49
11364893128Sui Dynasty(589-618 CE) The Chinese dynasty that was like the Qin Dynasty in imposing tight political discipline; this dynasty built the Grand Canal which helped transport the rice in the south to the north.50
11364893129VikingsDanes, Norse, ruled by kings and nobles, fairly democratic, hunters, gatherers, fishers, esp. farmers, raided Europe and the British Isles as the weather permitted, used slaves, assemblies of landowners made the laws, during the 800s famine, dominated the North Atlantic through the thirteenth century.51
11364893130TimbuktuMali trading city that became a center of wealth and learning52
11364893131Incan EmpireA Mesoamerican civilization in the Andes Mountains in South America that by the end of the 1400s was the largest empire in the Americas including much of what is now Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile; conquered by Pizarro.53
11364893132Aztec EmpireCentral American empire constructed by the Mexica and expanded greatly during the fifteenth century during the reigns of Itzcoatl and Motecuzoma I. Conquered by Cortes.54
11364893133SwahiliBantu language with Arabic loanwords spoken in coastal regions of East Africa.55
11364893134Byzantine Empire(330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine.56
11364893135AristocracyHighest class in certain societies or a form of government in which power is held by the nobility57
11364893136Angkor WatLargest religious monument in the world. It was originally a Hindu temple for god and then it became a Buddhist temple58
11364893137Great Zimbabwelocated in the modern African country of Zimbabwe, whose many stone structures were built between about 1250 and 1450, when it was a trading center and the capital of a large state.59
11364893138Hundred Years War (1337-1453)series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the rulers of the Kingdom of England, against the rulers of the Kingdom of France, for control of the Kingdom of France60
11364893139Decline of Abbasid Caliphate- Hostility increased b/t Sunni/Shi'ites - Difficult to hold diverse empire together from one central location - Slave revolts and peasant uprisings Incompetent caliphs --- Abbasids hired Seljuk Turks as soldiers; gained power - Seljuk leader Tughril took over Baghdad; caliph is figurehead - Mongols seized throne in 125861
11364893140Early Middle Ages- Collapse of political, social, and military order left Europe in chaos - Continuing invasions and conflicts - The Church provided cultural unity and enabled the area to regain some control62
11364893141tribal chieftainsIn the Early Middle Ages, Roman governors were replaced with __________ __________.63
11364893142manorialismPolitical, economic, and social system by which the peasants of medieval Europe were tied to their land and their lord through serfdom; defined both economic and political obligations between lords and peasant laborers64
11364893143DividedAfter Charlemagne's death, the empire was ___________65
11364893144Monasteriesthe primary centers of learning and literacy in medieval Europe; played important role in providing stability during Dark Ages66
11364893145ConstantineWho moved the capital to Constantinople which made a split in political authority which further led to a split in religious authority?67
11364893146Benedictine RuleChurch supported monasteries in rural areas68
11364893147FeudalismWhat discouraged the growth of strong central government and political power of the Church countered power of the kings?69
11364893148Magna CartaGreat Charter issued by King John of England in 1215; confirmed feudal rights against monarchical claims; represented principle of mutual limits and obligations between rulers and feudal aristocracy.70
11364893149William of Normandy (the Conqueror)landed on the coast of England and defeated king Harold at the battle of hastings. took a census known as Domesday book, became king of England.71
11364893150GhettosEuropean Christians discriminated against Jews who lived in segregated communities, which are also know as:72
11364893151Carolingian Renaissancepertaining to the empire of Charlemagne • Revival of Book Making • Adoption of Roman Architectural Forms • Creation of Imperial Imagery73
11364893152scholasticismA method of doing theology and philosophy which aims at a better understanding of revealed truths; attempt to rationalize theology in order to support faith by reason74
113648931531453, IstanbulThe Byzantine Empire survived until ________; fell to Ottoman Turks and renamed __________.75
11364893154Hagia Sophiaone of the most important examples of Christian architecture in the world; a church built by Justinian with a magnificent domed structure that later became a mosque76
11364893155Corpus Juris CivilisThe Byzantines had the most important contribution codification of Roman Law; basis for civil law codes that developed throughout much of western Europe77
11364893156TheodoraEmpress _____________ had great influence over Justinian78
11364893157SuiWhich Dynasty established by northern Chinese noble family and reunited China?79
11364893158Grand Canalbuilt by Sui linked the Yellow and Yangzi as key component to the internal trade80
11364893159Eastern Orthodox Churchderived from the church of the Byzantine Empire81
11364893160Fiefsan estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service82
11364893161Civil Service Exams Systemtesting designed to select the most studious and learned candidates for appointment as bureaucrats in the Chinese government.83
11364893162Neo-ConfucianismAppeal of Buddhism and Emphasis on the importance of social life and rejection of withdrawal through meditation led to what?84
11364893163TrueDuring Tang and early Song women had more rights. True or False?85
11364893164CharlemagneKing of the Franks (r. 768-814); emperor (r. 800-814). Through a series of military conquests he established the Carolingian Empire, which encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy. Illiterate, though started an intellectual revival.86
11364893165Empress Wu Zhaoonly woman to rule in her own name in Chinese history (Song Dynasty)87
11364893166Fujiwara RuleJapanese aristocratic family in mid-9th century; exercised exceptional influence over imperial affairs; aided in decline of imperial power.88
11364893167Fall of MongolsDistance between the capital and borders made it impossible to maintain unity for long (similar to large empires before)89
11364893168Indian Ocean tradeAfter the Mongol Empire broke up, trade along the Silk Road ended and many turned to _______________.90
11364893169Toltecs- first to unify central Mexico after the people of Teotihuacan - Centralized state based on military power - Were replaced by the Aztecs91
11364893170AppealingPax Mongolica and Dar al-Islam (House of Islam) made travel more _______________.92
11364893171Angkor WatLargest religious monument in the world. It was originally a Hindu temple for god and then it became a Buddhist temple93
11364893172Dar-al-Islamareas of which Islam spread to; lands under Islamic influences94
11364893173Sunnimajor sect of islam "the traditionalists"95
11364893174Shiaminor sect of islam separated from the Sunni due to the belief that ali should be the first caliph after muhammad96
11364893175Berke(1257-1266) A ruler of the Golden Horde; converted to Islam; his threat to Hulegu combined with the growing power of Mamluks in Egypt forestalled further Mongol conquests in the Middle East97
11364893176JurchensFounders of the Qin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of the Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south98
11364893177Xuanzanga Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang dynasty.99
11364893178Alhambrathe complete Arabic form of which was Qalat Al-Hamra, is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.100
11364893179Pope Gregory VIIthe pope who fought to establish the supremacy of the pope over the Church and the supremacy of the Church over the state (1020-1085).101
11364893180Sufismystical Muslim group that believed they could draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, & simple life102
11364893181Hong WuHe established this Ming ("brilliant") dynasty, following the Yuang dynasty, in 1368; his immediate goal was to remove all signs of Mongol rule103
11364893182Holy Roman Empirea political entity in Europe that began with the papal coronation of Otto I as the first emperor in 962 and laster until 1806 when it was dissolved by Napoleon.104
11364893183Songhai(1450-1586CE) Leader (Sonni Ali) used powerful army to build largest state in West Africa; came after the fall of Mali105
11364893184Humanismfocus on humankind as center of intellectual and artistic endeavor; method of study that emphasized the superiority of classical forms over medieval styles, in particular the study of ancient languages.106
11364893185Italyestablished wealthy merchant classes (Medici, wealthiest family), Florence, focused a lot on education107
11364893186Petrachfather of Humanism; founded library which gave access to books to everyone108
11364893187ErasmusNew Greek edition of New Testament, which led to more people having the capability to read the bible.109
11364893188Dante Alighieriwrote the poem called Divine Comedy (which had depictions of hell, purgatory, and envisions of heaven) : actions determined fate110
11364893189Niccolo MachiavelliFlorence diplomat (observed royalty in other countries), published The Prince 1513 (somewhat guide for leaders)111
11364893190Act of Supremacy(1534) Act that made King Henry VIII the supreme leader of the Church of England, so that he could divorce his wife.112
11364893191Elizabethian Settlementa set of compromises by Queen Elizabeth, who restored unity to England113
11364893192Martin Luther(1483-1546) German monk; initiated Protestant Reformation in 1517 by nailing 95 theses to door to Wittenberg church; emphasized primacy of faith over works stressed in Catholic church; accepted state control of church.114
11364893193WariAnother civilization near Tiwanaku that flourished about the same time as Tiwanaku. It is theorized that this civilization was originally dependent on Tiwanaku, or that it and Tiwanaku were two parts of the same empire.115
11364893194MocheThe prominent civiliation in modern-day Peru around 600 C.E., before the rise of the Incan Empire; did not have any political unification, and instead depended on trade and agriculture.116
11364893195TiwanakuThe prominent civilization in the Andes Mountains before the rise of the Incan Empire; like the Moche, depended on trade among different agricultural areas in the empire.117
11364893196Calvinismsought the participation of all believers in church administration which had political implications of encouraging the ideal of wider access to the government; strong in Switzerland, parts of Germany & France, the Netherlands, England, and Scotland.118
11364893197Great Schism(1054) Event that precipitated the final separation between the Eastern Christian churches (led by the patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius) and the Western Church (led by Pope Leo IX)119
11364893198Protestantgeneral wave of religious dissent against Catholic church; generally held to have begun with Martin Luther's attack on Catholic beliefs in 1517; included many varieties of religious belief.120

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!