ap world unit 3 vocab

Lemon

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02-02-2025

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Unit 3 of AP World History covers a pivotal period: the Age of Exploration and the resulting global interactions. This period saw unprecedented changes in trade, culture, and power dynamics across the globe. Mastering the vocabulary is crucial for success on the AP exam. This guide provides definitions and context for key terms, helping you navigate this complex era with confidence.

Key Terms and Concepts:

Exploration and Colonization:

• Caravel: A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Its design, incorporating lateen sails, allowed for exploration of the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. The caravel was instrumental in Portugal's early voyages of exploration.

• Cartography: The science or practice of making maps. Improved cartography was essential for successful navigation during the Age of Exploration, enabling more accurate charting of sea routes and landmasses.

• Mercantilism: An economic system prevalent in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, characterized by government regulation of a nation's economy to increase state power. Colonies played a vital role in mercantilist systems, providing raw materials and markets for finished goods.

• Columbian Exchange: 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. This exchange had profound and lasting effects on global populations and environments. It's crucial to understand both the positive and negative consequences.

• Encomienda System: A labor system implemented in Spanish America, granting Spanish colonists the right to demand labor or tribute from Indigenous populations in exchange for protection and religious instruction. This system was often exploitative and led to significant abuses.

• Mita System: A system of mandatory public service in the Inca Empire, adapted and used by the Spanish in their colonies in the Andes. This system, often forced labor, was integral to Spanish mining operations and other large-scale projects.

Global Trade Networks:

• Triangular Trade: A network of trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The trade involved the exchange of manufactured goods, enslaved Africans, and raw materials, creating a complex and exploitative system. Understanding the different legs of the triangle is essential.

• Joint-Stock Companies: Businesses formed by groups of investors who pooled their resources to finance large-scale trading ventures. Companies like the British East India Company wielded significant economic and political power during this period.

• Commercial Revolution: A period of significant economic expansion and transformation in Europe, from roughly the 16th to the 18th centuries, marked by increased trade, the growth of merchant capitalism, and the development of new financial institutions.

• Price Revolution: A period of sustained inflation in Europe during the 16th century. This was largely driven by the influx of silver and gold from the Americas.

Cultural and Social Impacts:

• Syncretism: The blending of different cultures or beliefs, resulting in a new, hybrid culture. This process was prevalent during the Age of Exploration as different cultures interacted and exchanged ideas. Examples include the blending of Indigenous and European religious practices in Latin America.

• Missionaries: Individuals who actively spread their religion to new areas. Missionaries played a significant role in the Age of Exploration, attempting to convert Indigenous populations to Christianity.

• Atlantic World: A term used to describe the interconnected region encompassing Europe, Africa, and the Americas during the era of transatlantic trade and colonization. Understanding the Atlantic World requires examining the complex relationships between these three regions.

Using this Vocabulary for AP Success:

This list is not exhaustive, but it covers many of the essential terms you will encounter in AP World History Unit 3. To fully prepare for the exam:

• Define each term thoroughly: Don't just memorize definitions; understand the historical context and significance of each term.
• Connect the terms: Identify relationships between different terms. For example, how did mercantilism affect the Columbian Exchange?
• Apply the terms: Practice using these terms in essays and short-answer responses to demonstrate your understanding.
• Use primary and secondary sources: Refer to historical documents and scholarly works to deepen your understanding of these concepts.

By mastering this vocabulary, you'll be well-equipped to analyze the complex events and transformations of the Age of Exploration and its lasting impacts on the world. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for additional terms and details. Good luck with your studies!