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Overview of Land-Based Empires 1450-1750

May 7, 2025

AP World History Unit 3 Overview

Time Period: 1450-1750

  • Focus on land-based empires
    • Expansion
    • Administration
    • Belief Systems

Definition

  • Land-based Empire: Power comes from territorial holdings.

Major Land-Based Empires

  • Ottoman Empire

    • Founded in the 14th century.
    • Expanded rapidly using gunpowder weapons.
    • Conquest of Constantinople in 1453 (renamed to Istanbul).
    • Developed elite fighting force: Janissaries.
  • Safavid Empire

    • Founded in the early 16th century under Shah Ismail.
    • Expanded using gunpowder weapons and enslaved Christians for its army.
    • Significant religious difference: Shia Islam.
  • Mughal Empire

    • Established in the 16th century by Babur after defeating the Delhi Sultanate.
    • Rapid expansion with gunpowder weapons.
    • Akbar’s rule: Religious tolerance, prosperity.
  • Qing Dynasty

    • Established by the Manchus in the 17th century after the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
    • Ethnically different from the Han people they ruled.
    • Expanded using gunpowder weapons.

Summary of Empires

  • All were land-based and expanded rapidly using gunpowder.
  • Ottomans: Sunni; Safavids: Shia (major conflict).
  • Conflict: Safavid vs. Mughal over territory in Afghanistan.

Administration Tactics

  • Legitimization and Consolidation of Power
    • Large bureaucracies (e.g., Ottoman Devshirme system).
    • Military professionals (e.g., Janissaries).
    • Use of religious ideas, art, and monumental architecture.
      • Divine Right of Kings in Europe.
      • Kangxi’s portraits in Qing Dynasty.
      • Sun Temple of Cusco by the Incas.
      • Palace of Versailles for power consolidation.
    • Innovations in tax collection systems.
      • Zamindar System (Mughal).
      • Tax Farming (Ottomans).
      • Tribute Lists (Aztecs).

Belief Systems

  • Christianity

    • Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.
    • Catholic Reformation (Council of Trent).
  • Islam

    • Sunni-Shia split intensified by Safavid Empire's policies.
  • Sikhism in South Asia

    • A syncretic faith blending Hinduism and Islam.
    • Retained belief in one God, reincarnation.
    • Rejected gender hierarchies and caste system.