AP World History Modern Flashcards: State Building In The Americas

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on State Building In The Americas, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP World History Modern.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What civilization is known for building Machu Picchu?

Answer: Inca. Built famous mountaintop citadel in the Andes.

Flashcard 2: Which civilization developed a ball game with ritual significance?

Answer: Maya. Ceremonial sport with religious meaning.

Flashcard 3: Identify the primary reason for the collapse of the Inca Empire.

Answer: Spanish conquest. Disease and military defeat ended empire.

Flashcard 4: Name the primary language of the Inca Empire.

Answer: Quechua. Administrative language of Inca Empire.

Flashcard 5: Which civilization built large earthen mounds in North America?

Answer: Mississippian. Complex society building ceremonial earthworks.

Flashcard 6: Which civilization had a writing system known as glyphs?

Answer: Maya. Sophisticated hieroglyphic writing system.

Flashcard 7: Identify the primary feature of Mississippian culture sites.

Answer: Mound structures. Earthen ceremonial and burial mounds.

Flashcard 8: Identify the civilization known for the Nazca Lines.

Answer: Nazca. Created mysterious ground drawings in Peru.

Flashcard 9: Which civilization built large earthen mounds in North America?

Answer: Mississippian. Complex society building ceremonial earthworks.

Flashcard 10: What characterized the government of the Inca Empire?

Answer: Centralized monarchy. Absolute rule by emperor called Sapa Inca.

Flashcard 11: Identify the architectural style of Mayan pyramids.

Answer: Step pyramids. Tiered structures for religious ceremonies.

Flashcard 12: Which civilization built the Temple of the Sun?

Answer: Inca. Sacred temple in Cuzco capital.

Flashcard 13: Name the empire that used the mita labor system.

Answer: Inca. Required labor service to the state.

Flashcard 14: Identify the primary god of the Aztec pantheon.

Answer: Huitzilopochtli. War and sun god requiring sacrifices.

Flashcard 15: What was the societal structure of the Inca Empire called?

Answer: Ayllu. Extended family groups forming social units.

Flashcard 16: Name the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

Answer: Francisco Pizarro. Conquered Inca Empire in 1532.

Flashcard 17: What is the term for the Inca's terrace farming?

Answer: Andenes. Stepped agricultural terraces on mountainsides.

Flashcard 18: What is the name of the ruler of the Aztec Empire during its fall?

Answer: Montezuma II. Last Aztec emperor during Spanish arrival.

Flashcard 19: Name the Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs.

Answer: Hernán Cortés. Led expedition that toppled Aztec Empire.

Flashcard 20: What was the main agricultural technique used by the Maya?

Answer: Slash-and-burn agriculture. Cleared forest by burning for crop cultivation.

Flashcard 21: What is the term for the Inca's terrace farming?

Answer: Andenes. Stepped agricultural terraces on mountainsides.

Flashcard 22: What is the name of the Aztec capital built on an island?

Answer: Tenochtitlán. Built on Lake Texcoco with causeways.

Flashcard 23: Which civilization developed a ball game with ritual significance?

Answer: Maya. Ceremonial sport with religious meaning.

Flashcard 24: Which civilization's capital was Cuzco?

Answer: Inca. Sacred center of Inca Empire.

Flashcard 25: Identify the capital city of the Aztec Empire.

Answer: Tenochtitlán. Built on lake island with canals and causeways.

Flashcard 26: Which civilization's capital was Cuzco?

Answer: Inca. Sacred center of Inca Empire.

Flashcard 27: What was the significance of the city of Chichen Itza?

Answer: Mayan religious center. Sacred site with pyramid and ball court.

Flashcard 28: What was the purpose of the Aztec chinampas?

Answer: Agriculture. Floating gardens for crop production.

Flashcard 29: What is the name of the ruler of the Aztec Empire during its fall?

Answer: Montezuma II. Last Aztec emperor during Spanish arrival.

Flashcard 30: What significant city did the Mississippian culture establish?

Answer: Cahokia. Major urban center near present-day St. Louis.

Flashcard 31: What was the primary economic activity in the Inca Empire?

Answer: Agriculture. Foundation of Inca economy and society.

Flashcard 32: Which civilization was known for its complex calendar systems?

Answer: Maya. Advanced astronomical and mathematical systems.

Flashcard 33: Identify the primary deity of the Inca religion.

Answer: Inti. Sun god central to Inca religion.

Flashcard 34: Which civilization practiced human sacrifice extensively?

Answer: Aztec. Ritual offerings to gods for favor.

Flashcard 35: Identify the primary reason for the collapse of the Inca Empire.

Answer: Spanish conquest. Disease and military defeat ended empire.

Flashcard 36: What was the societal structure of the Inca Empire called?

Answer: Ayllu. Extended family groups forming social units.

Flashcard 37: What architectural feature is notable in Mayan cities?

Answer: Pyramids and grand plazas. Monumental architecture for ceremonies.

Flashcard 38: What religion was predominant in the Aztec Empire?

Answer: Polytheism. Worshipped multiple gods and goddesses.

Flashcard 39: What was the purpose of the Aztec chinampas?

Answer: Agriculture. Floating gardens for crop production.

Flashcard 40: What was the primary material used in Mayan writing?

Answer: Stone and bark paper. Created books from stone monuments and tree bark.

Flashcard 41: What was the primary function of the Aztec codices?

Answer: Historical and religious records. Illustrated manuscripts preserving culture.

Flashcard 42: What was the primary economic activity in the Inca Empire?

Answer: Agriculture. Foundation of Inca economy and society.

Flashcard 43: What civilization is known for building Machu Picchu?

Answer: Inca. Built famous mountaintop citadel in the Andes.

Flashcard 44: Which civilization practiced human sacrifice extensively?

Answer: Aztec. Ritual offerings to gods for favor.

Flashcard 45: Identify the primary god of the Aztec pantheon.

Answer: Huitzilopochtli. War and sun god requiring sacrifices.

Flashcard 46: Which civilization is associated with the city of Teotihuacan?

Answer: Pre-Aztec (Mesoamerican). Earlier civilization predating Aztecs.

Flashcard 47: What architectural feature is notable in Mayan cities?

Answer: Pyramids and grand plazas. Monumental architecture for ceremonies.

Flashcard 48: Which civilization is associated with the city of Teotihuacan?

Answer: Pre-Aztec (Mesoamerican). Earlier civilization predating Aztecs.

Flashcard 49: Which civilization built the Temple of the Sun?

Answer: Inca. Sacred temple in Cuzco capital.

Flashcard 50: Which crop was central to Mesoamerican civilizations?

Answer: Maize (corn). Essential grain crop supporting population growth.

Flashcard 51: Which civilization used quipus for record-keeping?

Answer: Inca. Used knotted string systems for numerical records.

Flashcard 52: Identify the primary feature of Mississippian culture sites.

Answer: Mound structures. Earthen ceremonial and burial mounds.

Flashcard 53: What was the role of the Templo Mayor in Aztec society?

Answer: Religious ceremonies. Central temple for Aztec worship.

Flashcard 54: What is the name of the Aztec capital built on an island?

Answer: Tenochtitlán. Built on Lake Texcoco with causeways.

Flashcard 55: Identify the capital city of the Aztec Empire.

Answer: Tenochtitlán. Built on lake island with canals and causeways.

Flashcard 56: What was the significance of the city of Chichen Itza?

Answer: Mayan religious center. Sacred site with pyramid and ball court.

Flashcard 57: What was the primary unit of currency in the Aztec economy?

Answer: Cacao beans. Valuable commodity used for trade.

Flashcard 58: What was the primary unit of currency in the Aztec economy?

Answer: Cacao beans. Valuable commodity used for trade.

Flashcard 59: Identify the structure used by the Inca for transportation.

Answer: Inca roads. Extensive network connecting the empire.

Flashcard 60: Which civilization used quipus for record-keeping?

Answer: Inca. Used knotted string systems for numerical records.

Flashcard 61: What was the main agricultural technique used by the Maya?

Answer: Slash-and-burn agriculture. Cleared forest by burning for crop cultivation.

Flashcard 62: Identify the structure used by the Inca for transportation.

Answer: Inca roads. Extensive network connecting the empire.

Flashcard 63: Name the empire that used the mita labor system.

Answer: Inca. Required labor service to the state.

Flashcard 64: What religion was predominant in the Aztec Empire?

Answer: Polytheism. Worshipped multiple gods and goddesses.

Flashcard 65: Name the primary language of the Inca Empire.

Answer: Quechua. Administrative language of Inca Empire.

Flashcard 66: Identify the primary deity of the Inca religion.

Answer: Inti. Sun god central to Inca religion.

Flashcard 67: Name the Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs.

Answer: Hernán Cortés. Led expedition that toppled Aztec Empire.

Flashcard 68: Name the leader who expanded the Inca Empire significantly.

Answer: Pachacuti. Transformed kingdom into vast empire.

Flashcard 69: Name the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire.

Answer: Francisco Pizarro. Conquered Inca Empire in 1532.

Flashcard 70: What significant city did the Mississippian culture establish?

Answer: Cahokia. Major urban center near present-day St. Louis.

Flashcard 71: What characterized the government of the Inca Empire?

Answer: Centralized monarchy. Absolute rule by emperor called Sapa Inca.

Flashcard 72: What was the primary function of the Aztec codices?

Answer: Historical and religious records. Illustrated manuscripts preserving culture.

Flashcard 73: Name the leader who expanded the Inca Empire significantly.

Answer: Pachacuti. Transformed kingdom into vast empire.

Flashcard 74: Which civilization was known for its complex calendar systems?

Answer: Maya. Advanced astronomical and mathematical systems.

Flashcard 75: What was the role of the Templo Mayor in Aztec society?

Answer: Religious ceremonies. Central temple for Aztec worship.

Flashcard 76: Which civilization had a writing system known as glyphs?

Answer: Maya. Sophisticated hieroglyphic writing system.

Flashcard 77: What was the primary material used in Mayan writing?

Answer: Stone and bark paper. Created books from stone monuments and tree bark.

Flashcard 78: Identify the architectural style of Mayan pyramids.

Answer: Step pyramids. Tiered structures for religious ceremonies.

Flashcard 79: Identify the civilization known for the Nazca Lines.

Answer: Nazca. Created mysterious ground drawings in Peru.

Flashcard 80: Which crop was central to Mesoamerican civilizations?

Answer: Maize (corn). Essential grain crop supporting population growth.