APWH General Vocabulary

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Aristocracy

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A social class of elites, often land-owning nobles who held power by birth and wealth.

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Bureaucracy

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A system of government where state officials (not elected leaders) carry out policies and administration.

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Centralization

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The concentration of political power in a single authority or governing body (e.g., Ming China, Louis XIV's France).

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Commercial

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Related to commerce or trade (e.g., commercial revolution, commercial networks).

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Commerce

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The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale (e.g., Indian Ocean trade, Atlantic commerce).

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Consolidate

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To strengthen or unify power, territory, or institutions (e.g., rulers consolidating power through military or religion).

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Decentralization

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Distribution of power away from a central authority, seen in feudal systems or post-classical Europe.

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Democracy

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A political system in which power is exercised by the people, often through elected representatives (e.g., Ancient Athens, modern republics).

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Diffusion

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The spread of ideas, technologies, religions, or goods across cultures (e.g., cultural diffusion, technological diffusion).

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Diplomacy (Diplomatic)

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The practice of managing international relations, especially through negotiation rather than conflict.