Glossary
Activism & protests
Organized efforts by individuals or groups to bring about social, political, or environmental change, often involving public demonstrations, advocacy, and civil disobedience.
Example:
The global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg are a modern example of youth activism & protests demanding urgent action on environmental issues.
Air travel
Transportation by aircraft, which revolutionized global connectivity, trade, and tourism by significantly reducing travel times across vast distances.
Example:
The rise of affordable air travel in the late 20th century made international tourism accessible to a broader segment of the population.
Antibiotics
Medicines that inhibit the growth of or destroy microorganisms, particularly bacteria, revolutionizing the treatment of infectious diseases since their discovery.
Example:
The widespread use of antibiotics after World War II dramatically decreased deaths from bacterial infections, leading to a significant increase in life expectancy.
Apartheid
A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s, which privileged the white minority.
Example:
Nelson Mandela's long imprisonment and eventual release symbolized the global struggle against Apartheid and the eventual triumph of racial equality in South Africa.
Brahmins
The highest varna (caste) in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, historically associated with priests, scholars, and teachers.
Example:
In ancient India, the Brahmins were revered for their knowledge of sacred texts and their role in religious rituals.
Caste system (India)
A rigid social hierarchy in India, historically based on birth and occupation, which traditionally determined an individual's status, rights, and social interactions.
Example:
Despite legal prohibitions, the caste system in some rural parts of India still influences marriage alliances and social interactions.
Change
Transformations or shifts in societies, economies, politics, or cultures over a specific period, often driven by various internal or external factors.
Example:
The invention of the printing press brought about a massive change in how information was disseminated, leading to increased literacy and the spread of new ideas.
Christianity
A monotheistic Abrahamic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, which emerged in the Roman province of Judea.
Example:
The widespread observance of Christmas, even in secular contexts, highlights the deep cultural impact of Christianity globally.
Civil Rights Act
A landmark piece of legislation in the United States, particularly the 1964 act, that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Example:
The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a monumental victory for the American Civil Rights Movement, legally ending segregation in public places.
Computers
Electronic devices capable of storing and processing data, performing calculations, and executing programs, which have revolutionized industries, communication, and daily life.
Example:
The development of personal computers in the late 20th century brought computing power to homes and small businesses, democratizing access to information and technology.
Conceptual art
An art movement where the idea or concept behind the work is more important than the finished art object itself, often challenging traditional aesthetic values.
Example:
Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain,' a urinal signed 'R. Mutt,' is a famous example of conceptual art that provoked questions about what constitutes art.
Continuity
Elements or patterns within a society or historical period that remain consistent or unchanged over time, despite other transformations.
Example:
Despite the fall of the Roman Empire, the Latin language continued to influence European languages for centuries, demonstrating linguistic continuity.
Decolonization
The process by which colonies gain their independence from imperial powers, often through nationalist movements and sometimes violent struggles.
Example:
India's decolonization from British rule in 1947, though accompanied by partition, inspired similar independence movements across Asia and Africa.
Digital phones
Electronic devices that use digital signals for communication, enabling mobile voice calls, text messaging, and internet access, transforming personal and global interactions.
Example:
The proliferation of digital phones in developing countries has empowered individuals with access to banking services and market information, fostering economic growth.
Document-Based Questions (DBQs)
A type of free-response question on the AP exam that requires students to analyze a set of primary source documents, identify point of view, and connect them to broader historical themes to construct an argument.
Example:
For a DBQ, you might be given excerpts from letters, speeches, and political cartoons related to the causes of World War I and asked to analyze their perspectives.
Feminist movements
A series of social and political movements advocating for the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes.
Example:
The second-wave feminist movements of the 1960s and 70s pushed for reproductive rights, equal pay, and an end to gender discrimination in the workplace.
Festivals & celebrations
Public or private events, often recurring annually, that commemorate significant cultural, religious, or historical occasions, strengthening community bonds.
Example:
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is a vibrant example of festivals & celebrations that bring families and communities together across India and the diaspora.
Genetically modified crops
Plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce new traits, such as pest resistance or increased nutritional value.
Example:
The development of genetically modified crops like 'Golden Rice' aims to address vitamin A deficiency in regions where rice is a staple food.
Global conflicts
Large-scale wars or geopolitical confrontations involving multiple nations or alliances, often with worldwide implications, such as World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.
Example:
The two World Wars were devastating global conflicts that reshaped political maps, international alliances, and the balance of power.
Globalization
The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries and cultures worldwide through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas.
Example:
The widespread availability of products like iPhones, manufactured in one country with components from many others and sold globally, is a prime example of globalization.
Green Revolution
A period of rapid agricultural innovation in the mid-20th century, characterized by the development of high-yielding crop varieties, increased use of fertilizers, and irrigation.
Example:
The Green Revolution significantly boosted food production in countries like India and Mexico, helping to avert widespread famine in the latter half of the 20th century.
Indigenous cultures
Societies or communities that are native to a particular region, often maintaining distinct languages, spiritual beliefs, and subsistence practices tied to their ancestral lands.
Example:
The Amazon rainforest is home to numerous indigenous cultures whose survival is deeply intertwined with the preservation of their natural environment.
Industrialization
The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods, leading to significant social and economic changes.
Example:
Great Britain's rapid industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the growth of factory towns and a massive shift of population from rural to urban areas.
Internet
A global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.
Example:
The rise of the internet transformed global commerce, allowing businesses to reach customers worldwide and creating new industries like e-commerce.
Islam
An Abrahamic monotheistic religion originating in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Example:
The construction of magnificent mosques across the globe, from Spain to Indonesia, showcases the widespread influence of Islam.
Judaism
An Abrahamic monotheistic religion with its origins in the Middle East, emphasizing a covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Example:
The annual celebration of Passover by Jewish communities worldwide is a powerful example of the enduring traditions within Judaism.
Kshatriyas
The second highest varna in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, historically associated with warriors, rulers, and administrators.
Example:
Many historical Indian kings and military leaders belonged to the Kshatriyas caste, fulfilling their traditional role as protectors of society.
Laissez-faire
An economic doctrine advocating for minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing free markets and individual economic decisions to guide development.
Example:
During the Industrial Revolution, many Western governments adopted a laissez-faire approach, believing it would foster economic growth without state interference.
Long Essay Questions (LEQs)
A type of free-response question on the AP exam that requires students to develop a strong thesis, use extensive historical evidence, and analyze historical trends in a structured essay.
Example:
An LEQ could prompt you to analyze the continuities and changes in political systems in East Asia from 1450 to 1750.
Middle class
A social stratum typically composed of white-collar workers, professionals, and small business owners, often characterized by education-based status and moderate income.
Example:
The expansion of the middle class in post-WWII Western societies fueled consumerism and suburban growth.
Minimalism
An art movement characterized by extreme simplicity of form and a focus on basic geometric shapes and primary colors, often seeking to reduce art to its essential elements.
Example:
Donald Judd's stack sculptures, consisting of identical boxes arranged vertically, exemplify the stark simplicity and repetitive forms of minimalism.
Multicultural movements
Social and political efforts that promote the recognition, appreciation, and inclusion of diverse cultural groups within a society, often challenging assimilationist policies.
Example:
In Canada, multicultural movements have advocated for policies that support linguistic diversity and the preservation of various ethnic traditions.
Multiple Choice
A common question format on standardized tests where test-takers select the best answer from a given set of options.
Example:
On the AP World History exam, a Multiple Choice question might ask you to identify the primary cause of the Opium Wars.
Nationalism
A strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Example:
The unification of Germany in the 19th century was largely driven by a powerful wave of nationalism that sought to unite disparate German-speaking states.
Nonviolent protests
A method of achieving social or political change through peaceful means, such as boycotts, marches, and civil disobedience, without resorting to physical force.
Example:
Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership in the American Civil Rights Movement exemplified the power of nonviolent protests to challenge segregation and injustice.
Nuclear power
Electricity generated from the energy released in nuclear fission, offering a low-carbon energy source but posing challenges related to waste disposal and safety.
Example:
France relies heavily on nuclear power for its electricity generation, showcasing a national commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Petroleum
A fossil fuel, also known as crude oil, that is a primary source of energy and a raw material for various products, playing a central role in the global economy.
Example:
The discovery of vast petroleum reserves in the Middle East significantly altered global geopolitics and economic power dynamics in the 20th century.
Pollution
The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, often as a byproduct of industrialization and human activity, leading to environmental degradation.
Example:
The Great Smog of London in 1952 was a severe instance of air pollution that led to thousands of deaths and prompted new environmental regulations.
Regulated economies
Economic systems where governments actively intervene through laws, policies, and agencies to control or influence market activities, often to achieve social or economic goals.
Example:
Following the Great Depression, many nations shifted towards regulated economies, implementing policies like social security and banking oversight to prevent future crises.
Renewable sources
Energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Example:
Many countries are investing heavily in renewable sources like wind farms and solar panels to combat climate change and achieve energy independence.
Sanitation
Public health conditions related to clean drinking water and adequate treatment and disposal of human excreta and sewage, crucial for preventing disease.
Example:
Improvements in urban sanitation systems in the 19th century, such as sewage networks, drastically reduced the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Short Answer Questions (SAQs)
A type of free-response question on the AP exam that requires concise, direct answers with specific historical evidence, typically in three parts.
Example:
An SAQ might ask you to briefly explain one economic impact of the Columbian Exchange.
Social media
Interactive digital platforms that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, and content, enabling rapid global communication and the formation of online communities.
Example:
During the Arab Spring, social media platforms played a crucial role in organizing protests and disseminating information, bypassing traditional state-controlled media.
Space race
A 20th-century competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve superiority in spaceflight capability, driven by Cold War tensions.
Example:
The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 ignited the space race, pushing both superpowers to invest heavily in rocket science and exploration.
Sudras
The fourth varna in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, historically associated with laborers and service providers.
Example:
Historically, the Sudras performed essential manual labor and provided services that supported the other varnas in society.
Technological advancements
Innovations and improvements in tools, machines, and processes that lead to increased efficiency, new capabilities, and significant societal transformations.
Example:
The rapid technological advancements in computing power have led to the development of artificial intelligence, impacting nearly every sector of modern life.
Traditional practices
Customs, rituals, or ways of life that have been passed down through generations within a culture, often serving to maintain social cohesion and identity.
Example:
In many African societies, oral storytelling remains a vital traditional practice for transmitting history and moral lessons to younger generations.
Transnationalism
The process by which individuals, groups, and organizations maintain multiple ties and identities across national borders, often blurring traditional distinctions between home and host countries.
Example:
Many immigrant communities exhibit transnationalism by maintaining strong cultural, economic, and political connections with their countries of origin while integrating into their new homes.
Untouchables
A group outside the traditional Hindu varna system, historically subjected to severe discrimination and social exclusion due to their association with 'impure' occupations.
Example:
Mahatma Gandhi campaigned vigorously against the discrimination faced by the Untouchables, advocating for their rights and dignity.
Vaccines
Biological preparations that provide active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease, significantly reducing mortality rates and preventing epidemics.
Example:
The development of vaccines for diseases like polio and smallpox has saved millions of lives and eradicated some of the most devastating illnesses in human history.
Vaisyas
The third varna in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, historically associated with merchants, farmers, and artisans.
Example:
The Vaisyas played a crucial role in the economic prosperity of ancient Indian kingdoms through trade and agriculture.