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

Introduction

• Focus on the expansion of land-based empires during 1450-1750.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Power derived from territorial holdings (land-based).
  • Expansion driven primarily by militaristic use of gunpowder, termed "gunpowder empires."
  • Emerged after the fall of the Mongol Empire.

Major Land-Based Empires

1. Ottoman Empire

• Most significant Islamic empire of the period.
• Founded in the 14th century after the fall of the Mongol Empire.
• Key strategies:
  • Controlled the strategic Dardanelles, aiding in territorial expansion.
  • Developed and utilized gunpowder weapons.
• Notable Achievement:
  • 1453: Sack of Constantinople, led by Sultan Mehmed II, renamed to Istanbul.
  • Expanded significantly by 1750.

2. Safavid Empire

• Located in the Middle East, established in the early 1500s.
• Founded by Shah Ismail, declared it a Shia Muslim State.
• Significance of Shia/Sunni Divide:
  • Shia believed in leadership by Muhammad's blood relatives.
  • Sunni supported leadership elected by people.
• Conflicts with Sunni Muslim Empires (Ottomans and Mughals) due to religious differences.
• Expanded under Shah Abbas with gunpowder weapons.

3. Mughal Empire

• Replaced the Delhi Sultanate in the 16th century in South and Central Asia.
• Founded by Babur, expanded with gunpowder cannons and guns.
• Expanded further under Akbar the Great:
  • Notable for religious tolerance towards the Hindu majority.
  • Known for masterful administration, leading to prosperity.

4. Qing Dynasty

• Emerged after the decline of the Ming Dynasty.
• Ming Dynasty (ethnically Han) began in the 14th century, established peace and order with gunpowder.
• Qing Dynasty founded by Manchus in 1636, succeeding the fractured Ming.
  • Expanded to claim former Ming territory, including Taiwan, Mongolia, Central Asia.
  • Noted for ethnic tensions between Han Chinese and Manchu rulers.

Conflicts Among Empires

• Expansion desires led to clashes based on religious and political differences.

Examples of Conflicts

• Safavid-Mughal Conflict

  • Series of wars in the 17th century over expansion into Persian Gulf and Central Asia.
  • Sparked by religious rivalry (Shia vs. Sunni beliefs).
  • Resulted in prolonged conflict with no clear victory.

• Songhai-Moroccan Conflict

  • Songhai Empire weakened by internal problems by the 16th century.
  • Moroccan Kingdom invaded to control trans-Saharan trade routes.
  • Moroccans succeeded due to gunpowder weaponry.

Conclusion

• The period saw significant territorial expansions by empires primarily through military innovations like gunpowder.
• Conflicts often stemmed from religious and political goals, illustrating the complex dynamics of empire expansions.