Glossary
Abbasid Caliphate
A major Islamic caliphate (750-1258 CE) that presided over a 'Golden Age' of Islamic civilization, fostering advancements in science, mathematics, and philosophy.
Example:
Under the Abbasid Caliphate, Baghdad became a global center of learning, attracting scholars and merchants from across Afro-Eurasia.
Afro-Eurasia
A supercontinent comprising Africa, Europe, and Asia, which was the primary stage for interconnected historical developments during the 1200-1450 CE period.
Example:
Most of Unit 1's political and economic trends, such as the growth of trade networks and empires, occurred within Afro-Eurasia.
Aztecs
A powerful Mesoamerican empire (c. 1345-1521 CE) centered in the Valley of Mexico, known for its complex social structure, extensive tribute system, and monumental architecture.
Example:
The Aztecs built their capital city, Tenochtitlan, on an island in Lake Texcoco, demonstrating advanced engineering and urban planning.
Byzantine Empire
The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, known for its centralized state, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and rich cultural achievements.
Example:
The Hagia Sophia, with its stunning mosaics, stands as a testament to the architectural and artistic prowess of the Byzantine Empire.
Caesaropapism
A political system, particularly characteristic of the Byzantine Empire, where the emperor held both secular and religious authority, acting as head of both the state and the church.
Example:
Justinian I's role in both lawmaking and religious doctrine exemplifies caesaropapism in the Byzantine Empire.
Caliphates
Islamic empires that emerged after the death of Prophet Muhammad, led by caliphs who claimed religious and political authority over the Muslim community.
Example:
The Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates expanded Islamic influence across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, establishing vast empires.
Catholic Church
The dominant Christian institution in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, wielding significant spiritual, political, and economic power.
Example:
The Catholic Church played a central role in medieval life, influencing everything from education and art to political disputes between kings and popes.
Dar al-Islam
Literally 'the House of Islam,' referring to the lands under Islamic rule where Muslims could practice their religion freely, encompassing a vast cultural and political sphere.
Example:
Scholars and merchants traveled freely across Dar al-Islam, contributing to a vibrant exchange of knowledge and goods from Spain to India.
Dark Ages
A historical term, now largely considered a misnomer, used to describe the early part of the Middle Ages in Western Europe, implying a period of decline and stagnation.
Example:
While often called the Dark Ages, this period actually saw the preservation of classical texts by monks and the foundation of early European kingdoms.
Delhi Sultanate
A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the early 13th to the early 16th centuries, introducing Islamic rule to the region.
Example:
The Delhi Sultanate brought new architectural styles and administrative practices to India, blending Islamic and local traditions.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The dominant Christian church in Eastern Europe and the Byzantine Empire, which split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1054 CE.
Example:
The distinct architectural style of onion domes in Russia reflects the influence of the Eastern Orthodox Church on its cultural development.
Epic of Sundiata
A traditional West African oral history that recounts the life of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire, passed down by griots.
Example:
Students studying West African history often encounter the Epic of Sundiata to understand the cultural values and origins of the Mali Empire.
Feudalism
A decentralized political and social system in medieval Europe where land (fiefs) was exchanged for military service and loyalty, creating a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs.
Example:
Under feudalism, a knight might pledge loyalty and military service to a lord in exchange for a grant of land, forming the backbone of medieval European society.
Incas
The largest empire in pre-Columbian America (c. 1400-1532 CE), located in the Andes Mountains of South America, famous for its extensive road system, quipu record-keeping, and centralized administration.
Example:
The Incas managed their vast empire through an impressive network of roads and bridges, allowing for rapid communication and troop movement across diverse terrains.
Mali Empire
A powerful West African trade empire that flourished from the 13th to 17th centuries, renowned for its wealth in gold and its influential rulers like Mansa Musa.
Example:
The Mali Empire controlled vital Trans-Saharan trade routes, allowing it to accumulate immense wealth and foster centers of learning like Timbuktu.
Mansa Musa
The 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire, renowned as one of the wealthiest individuals in history due to his control over vast gold resources.
Example:
Mansa Musa's lavish pilgrimage to Mecca famously caused inflation in the regions he passed through due to the immense amount of gold he distributed.
Middle Ages
The period in European history from the 5th to the 15th century, characterized by feudalism, the strong influence of the Catholic Church, and decentralized political structures.
Example:
During the Middle Ages, Western Europe experienced significant political fragmentation after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Mongols
A nomadic pastoralist group from Central Asia who, under leaders like Genghis Khan, built the largest contiguous land empire in history, significantly impacting Afro-Eurasian trade and political structures.
Example:
The Mongols facilitated the flow of goods and ideas across the Silk Road, creating a period of relative peace known as the Pax Mongolica.
Periodization
The process historians use to organize history into manageable chunks, often based on significant shifts or changes.
Example:
Historians use periodization to define the AP World History: Modern course as starting in 1200 CE, marking a new era of global interconnectedness.
Renaissance
A period of intense artistic, cultural, and intellectual rebirth in Europe, beginning around the 14th century, marking a transition from the Middle Ages to modernity.
Example:
The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman learning, leading to masterpieces in art and literature that profoundly shaped European identity.
SPICE themes
An acronym (Social, Political, Interactions with the Environment, Culture, Economics, Technology) used by AP World History students to analyze and compare different societies and historical developments.
Example:
When comparing the Mali and Byzantine Empires, a student might use the SPICE themes to analyze their political structures, economic systems, and cultural achievements.
Sinicization
The process by which non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture, including its language, social norms, and political systems.
Example:
Neighboring states like Korea and Vietnam underwent significant Sinicization, adopting elements of Chinese writing, Confucianism, and bureaucratic practices.
Song China
A Chinese dynasty (960-1279 CE) known for its economic prosperity, technological innovations like gunpowder and printing, and a highly centralized bureaucratic system.
Example:
Innovations in agriculture, like Champa rice, allowed Song China to support a massive population and maintain its economic dominance.
Trade Routes
Networks of paths and waterways used for the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different regions and civilizations.
Example:
The Silk Road, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan were crucial trade routes that facilitated the spread of religions, diseases, and luxury goods across Afro-Eurasia.
Turning Points
Specific dates or events chosen by historians to mark significant shifts or changes in historical development.
Example:
The fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 is considered a turning point because it signaled the end of the post-classical era and the rise of new powers.