Overview

AP World History Unit 1 covers the following topics:
- The Paleolithic Era
- The Neolithic Era
- The Bronze Age
- The Iron Age
- The Classical Era
Key Terms
1. Paleolithic Era
- Homo sapiens: The species of humans that evolved in Africa around 200,000 years ago.
- Hunter-gatherers: People who lived by hunting animals and gathering plants.
- Stone tools: Tools made from stone, such as hand axes, scrapers, and knives.
- Fire: A major discovery that allowed humans to cook food, stay warm, and protect themselves from predators.
- Cave paintings: Paintings found on the walls of caves that depict animals, humans, and scenes from daily life.
2. Neolithic Era
- Agriculture: The practice of growing crops and raising animals.
- Domestication: The process of taming animals and making them dependent on humans.
- Settled life: The practice of living in one place for an extended period of time.
- Pottery: Containers made from clay that were used for storage, cooking, and other purposes.
- Trade: The exchange of goods and services between different groups of people.
3. Bronze Age
- Bronze: A metal alloy made from copper and tin.
- Bronze tools: Tools and weapons made from bronze, which were stronger and more durable than stone tools.
- Civilization: A complex society with a system of government, social classes, and written language.
- Urbanization: The growth of cities.
- Writing: A system of symbols used to record information.
4. Iron Age
- Iron: A strong and durable metal that was used to make tools, weapons, and armor.
- Iron tools: Tools and weapons made from iron, which were stronger and more durable than bronze tools.
- Empires: Large, powerful political units that controlled vast territories.
- Monarchy: A form of government in which a single person, such as a king or emperor, holds all the political power.
- Religion: A system of beliefs and practices that deal with the supernatural.
5. Classical Era
- Classical Greece: A civilization that flourished in Greece from around 800 to 400 BCE.
- Classical Rome: A civilization that flourished in Italy from around 753 BCE to 476 CE.
- Philosophy: The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.
- Science: The study of the natural world and the laws that govern it.
- Art: The expression of human creativity and imagination.
Tables
Table 1: Key Eras of Human History
| Era | Time Period | Major Developments |
|---|---|---|
| Paleolithic | 2.6 million years ago – 10,000 BCE | Hunter-gatherers, stone tools, fire |
| Neolithic | 10,000 BCE – 4000 BCE | Agriculture, domestication, settled life, pottery |
| Bronze Age | 4000 BCE – 1200 BCE | Bronze tools, civilization, urbanization, writing |
| Iron Age | 1200 BCE – 500 BCE | Iron tools, empires, monarchy, religion |
| Classical Era | 800 BCE – 500 CE | Philosophy, science, art |
Table 2: Key Terms of the Paleolithic Era
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Homo sapiens | The species of humans that evolved in Africa around 200,000 years ago. |
| Hunter-gatherers | People who lived by hunting animals and gathering plants. |
| Stone tools | Tools made from stone, such as hand axes, scrapers, and knives. |
| Fire | A major discovery that allowed humans to cook food, stay warm, and protect themselves from predators. |
| Cave paintings | Paintings found on the walls of caves that depict animals, humans, and scenes from daily life. |
Table 3: Key Terms of the Neolithic Era
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | The practice of growing crops and raising animals. |
| Domestication | The process of taming animals and making them dependent on humans. |
| Settled life | The practice of living in one place for an extended period of time. |
| Pottery | Containers made from clay that were used for storage, cooking, and other purposes. |
| Trade | The exchange of goods and services between different groups of people. |
Table 4: Key Terms of the Classical Era
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Classical Greece | A civilization that flourished in Greece from around 800 to 400 BCE. |
| Classical Rome | A civilization that flourished in Italy from around 753 BCE to 476 CE. |
| Philosophy | The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. |
| Science | The study of the natural world and the laws that govern it. |
| Art | The expression of human creativity and imagination. |
Conclusion
The key terms in AP World History Unit 1 are essential for understanding the major developments of human history. By mastering these terms, students can gain a deeper understanding of the past and how it has shaped the present.
