AP World History - Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Key Themes

• Expansion and Administration of Land-Based Empires
• Influence of Gunpowder
• Belief Systems and Religious Conflicts

Definition: Land-Based Empires

• Empires whose power derives from extensive territorial holdings.

Major Empires (1450-1750)

1. Ottoman Empire

• Founded in the 14th century, expanded rapidly.
• Key to expansion: Adoption of gunpowder weapons.
• Conquered Constantinople in 1453, renamed it Istanbul.
• Enslaved and converted Christians into the elite Janissary fighting force.
• Predominantly Sunni Muslim.

2. Safavid Empire

• Founded in the early 16th century by Shah Ismail.
• Expanded through the Caucasus using gunpowder weapons.
• Established an enslaved army from conquered Christians.
• Predominantly Shia Muslim.
• Significant Sunni-Shia religious conflict with Ottomans.

3. Mughal Empire

• Established in South Asia in the early 16th century by Babur.
• Expanded through use of gunpowder weapons under Akbar.
• Rulers were Muslim, tolerant of Hindu majority under Akbar.
• Known for prosperous administration and wealth.

4. Qing Dynasty

• Emerged in the 17th century after the fall of the Ming.
• Ethnically Manchu (not Han), expanded using gunpowder.

Comparing Empires

• All relied on gunpowder for expansion.
• Cultural and ethnic differences within empires (Qing and Mughal).
• Religious differences fueled conflicts (Ottoman vs. Safavid).

Conflict: Safavid-Mughal

• Series of wars in Afghanistan over territory.
• Religious Sunni (Mughal) vs. Shia (Safavid) rivalry.

Administration of Empires

Legitimizing and Consolidating Power

• Development of bureaucracies (e.g., Ottoman Devshirme system).
• Establishment of military professionals (e.g., Janissaries).
• Use of religion, art, and architecture (e.g., Divine Right of Kings, Qing portraits, Inca temples).
• Tax collection systems (e.g., Mughal Zamindar, Ottoman tax farming, Aztec tribute lists).

Changes and Continuity in Belief Systems

Christianity

• Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther condemned Catholic Church practices.
• Resulted in a permanent split and internal Catholic Reformation (Council of Trent).

Islam

• Sunni-Shia split intensified by Safavid policies.
• Religious divisions exacerbated by political conflicts.

Sikhism

• Emerged as a syncretic blend of Hinduism and Islam.
• Retained elements from both but rejected gender hierarchies and caste system.

Study Resources

• AP World History Heimler Review Guide for detailed content and practice questions.