In the context of AP World History, this term refers to accumulated goods or financial resources used to produce more goods or services. This can encompass money, factories, machinery, infrastructure, and even stored resources like grain. A merchant investing profits from the spice trade into building a larger ship exemplifies this concept.
Its significance lies in its role as a driver of economic development and societal transformation throughout history. Access to it enables increased production, technological innovation, and the expansion of trade networks. Understanding the distribution and control of it is essential for analyzing power structures and social hierarchies in different eras and regions. This understanding illuminates key events like the Industrial Revolution and the rise of global empires.