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Glossary

A

Absolute Monarchies

Criticality: 3

A form of government where the monarch holds supreme, unchecked power, often claiming divine right, characteristic of many land-based empires.

Example:

Louis XIV of France exemplified Absolute Monarchies, famously declaring 'L'état, c'est moi' (I am the state), centralizing all power in his own hands.

Administration (in empires)

Criticality: 3

The systems and methods used by empires to govern their vast territories, collect resources, and maintain control over diverse populations.

Example:

Effective Administration was crucial for the Mughal Empire to manage its diverse religious and ethnic groups across the Indian subcontinent, including tax collection and justice.

Aztec Empire

Criticality: 3

A Mesoamerican empire (c. 1428-1521 CE) in modern-day Mexico, known for its cultural achievements, complex government, and writing system using glyphs.

Example:

The Aztec Empire built its capital city, Tenochtitlan, on an island in a lake, demonstrating advanced engineering and urban planning.

C

Columbian Exchange

Criticality: 2

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Example:

While European maritime powers were initiating the Columbian Exchange across oceans, land-based empires were simultaneously consolidating power on continents.

Comparison (in history)

Criticality: 3

A historical analysis skill that involves identifying and explaining similarities and differences between two or more historical phenomena, societies, or events.

Example:

A common AP World History task is to make a Comparison between the administrative methods of the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, highlighting their shared use of bureaucratic systems and differing approaches to religious diversity.

Continuity and Change

Criticality: 3

A historical analysis concept that examines what aspects of a society or historical period remained the same (continuity) and what transformed (change) over time.

Example:

When studying the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, historians analyze the Continuity and Change in China's political structure, economic policies, and social hierarchies.

Cultural Exchange

Criticality: 2

The reciprocal sharing and blending of ideas, customs, technologies, and artistic forms between different societies or groups within empires.

Example:

The Silk Road facilitated significant Cultural Exchange, allowing Buddhism, paper-making, and various artistic styles to spread across Asia and into Europe.

E

Empire Building

Criticality: 3

The process by which empires expand their territory and influence, often through military conquest, diplomatic alliances, and economic control.

Example:

The Empire Building strategies of the Qing Dynasty involved both military campaigns and the strategic integration of conquered peoples into their administrative system.

F

Forbidden City

Criticality: 2

An imperial palace complex in Beijing, China, built during the Ming Dynasty, serving as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for centuries.

Example:

The sheer scale and intricate design of the Forbidden City demonstrated the immense power and wealth of the Chinese emperors who resided within its walls.

French Empire

Criticality: 2

Also known as the Napoleonic Empire, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, which held significant territory in Europe, Africa, and the Americas during the early 19th century.

Example:

The French Empire under Napoleon sought to spread revolutionary ideals and French influence across Europe through military conquest and political reforms.

G

Great Wall

Criticality: 2

A series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China, with significant sections rebuilt and expanded during the Ming Dynasty.

Example:

The Ming Dynasty undertook extensive renovations and additions to the Great Wall to protect against nomadic incursions from the north.

Gunpowder Technology

Criticality: 3

Innovations in weaponry, such as cannons and muskets, that became widespread during the 1450-1750 period, making conquests more efficient for empires.

Example:

The effective use of Gunpowder Technology allowed the Ottoman Empire to breach formidable city walls, as seen in their siege of Constantinople.

I

Inca Empire

Criticality: 3

A large South American empire (c. 1400-1532 CE) in the Andes region, known for its sophisticated government, administration, and record-keeping system (quipus).

Example:

The Inca Empire managed its vast mountainous territory through an impressive network of roads and a highly centralized administrative structure.

L

Land-Based Empires

Criticality: 3

Empires primarily focused on territorial expansion and administration within contiguous landmasses, typically existing between 1450-1750 CE.

Example:

The Land-Based Empires of the Ottoman and Mughal dynasties expanded their influence across vast regions through military conquest and sophisticated administrative systems, rather than focusing on overseas colonies.

M

Manchu

Criticality: 2

An ethnic group from Manchuria who founded the Qing Dynasty and conquered China in 1644.

Example:

The Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty adopted many Chinese administrative practices while also maintaining aspects of their own distinct culture.

Maritime Empires

Criticality: 2

Empires that primarily focused on overseas expansion, trade, and the establishment of colonies across oceans, contrasting with land-based empires.

Example:

Unlike the Qing Dynasty's focus on internal expansion, the British and Spanish were developing extensive Maritime Empires through naval power and colonial ventures.

Ming Dynasty

Criticality: 3

A Chinese imperial dynasty (1368-1644) known for its trade expansion, including the Treasure Fleet voyages, and significant cultural achievements like the Forbidden City.

Example:

The Ming Dynasty oversaw a period of immense cultural and economic prosperity in China, including the construction of impressive architectural feats and extensive maritime expeditions.

Mughal Empire

Criticality: 3

A Muslim dynasty that ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, known for cultural achievements and periods of religious tolerance.

Example:

The Mughal Empire blended Persian, Islamic, and Indian cultures, leading to a unique architectural style exemplified by structures like the Taj Mahal.

O

Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople

Criticality: 3

The capture of the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, by the Ottoman Empire in 1453, marking a significant shift in power and the end of the Byzantine Empire.

Example:

The Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople in 1453 not only provided the Ottomans with a strategic capital but also symbolized their rising dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ottoman Empire

Criticality: 3

A powerful Muslim empire (c. 1299-1922) spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, known for its military strength, cultural achievements, and long duration.

Example:

The Ottoman Empire controlled vital trade routes between East and West, leveraging its strategic position to become a dominant force for centuries.

P

Palace of Versailles

Criticality: 2

A grand royal residence built by King Louis XIV of France, completed in 1682, symbolizing the absolute power and grandeur of the French monarchy.

Example:

The construction of the Palace of Versailles served as a powerful visual statement of King Louis XIV's absolute authority, drawing nobles away from their regional power bases to the royal court.

Q

Qing Dynasty

Criticality: 3

The last imperial dynasty of China (1644-1912), founded by the Manchu, known for territorial expansion, economic growth, and later, internal unrest.

Example:

The Qing Dynasty expanded China's borders significantly, incorporating regions like Tibet and Xinjiang, and maintained control through a sophisticated bureaucratic system.

Quipus

Criticality: 2

A system of knotted strings used by the Inca Empire for record-keeping, including numerical data, historical accounts, and possibly narratives.

Example:

Without a written language, the Inca relied on Quipus to manage their complex economy, track census data, and preserve important historical information.

R

Russian Empire

Criticality: 3

A vast empire (1721-1917) spanning Europe and Asia, known for its territorial expansion, cultural achievements, and advancements in science and technology.

Example:

The Russian Empire continuously expanded its borders eastward across Siberia, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean and establishing a vast multi-ethnic state.

S

Safavid Empire

Criticality: 3

A Persian Empire (1501-1736) in modern Iran and Iraq, founded by Ismail I, which established Shia Islam as its official religion.

Example:

The Safavid Empire became a major center of Shia Islam, often clashing with its Sunni Ottoman neighbors over religious and territorial disputes.

Sakoku Policy

Criticality: 3

Japan's isolationist foreign policy implemented by the Tokugawa Shogunate, strictly limiting foreign trade and contact from the 17th to the 19th century.

Example:

The Sakoku Policy effectively closed Japan off from most of the outside world, allowing the Tokugawa Shogunate to maintain internal stability and control over foreign influences.

Shia Islam

Criticality: 2

One of the two main branches of Islam, which became the official religion of the Safavid Empire, distinguishing it from its Sunni neighbors.

Example:

The adoption of Shia Islam as the state religion by the Safavid Empire created a distinct cultural and political identity that often led to conflict with the predominantly Sunni Ottoman Empire.

Songhai Empire

Criticality: 2

A West African empire (c. 14th-16th century) known for its cultural achievements and as a center of learning, particularly in Islamic studies, mathematics, and astronomy.

Example:

The Songhai Empire flourished as a major trading power in West Africa, with cities like Timbuktu becoming renowned centers of scholarship and Islamic education.

T

Tokugawa Shogunate

Criticality: 3

A military dictatorship that ruled Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868), known for bringing peace, stability, and a policy of isolation.

Example:

Under the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan experienced a long period of internal peace and cultural flourishing, largely due to its strict control over feudal lords and foreign interactions.