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

Overview

• Focus on land-based empires during 1450-1750
• Key themes: Expansion, administration, and belief systems

Key Empires and Their Expansion

1. Ottoman Empire

• Time Period: Founded in the 14th century
• Expansion: Rapid growth using gunpowder weapons
• Key Events:
  • Conquest of Constantinople in 1453, renamed to Istanbul
  • Expansion into Eastern Europe
• Military: Use of enslaved Christians converted to Islam (Janissaries)

2. Safavid Empire

• Time Period: Began at the start of the 16th century
• Expansion: Rapid expansion using gunpowder
• Military: Enslaved Christians from the Caucasus region
• Religion: Shia Islam, contrasted with Sunni Ottomans

3. Mughal Empire

• Time Period: Established in the first half of the 16th century
• Expansion: Rapid through military and gunpowder weapons
• Leadership:
  • Babar’s campaigns against the Delhi Sultanate
  • Akbar’s administration and religious tolerance
• Religion: Muslim rulers over a majority Hindu population

4. Qing Dynasty (Manchu Empire)

• Time Period: Early 17th century
• Expansion: Conquest using gunpowder weapons
• Leadership: Emphasis on Confucian wisdom and legitimization through portraits

Comparison of Empires

• All empires were land-based and expanded rapidly using gunpowder
• Ethnic differences: Qing and Mughal rulers were different from their subjects
• Religious differences: Ottomans (Sunni) vs. Safavids (Shia)

Conflicts

• Safavid-Mughal Conflict:
  • Fought over territory in Afghanistan
  • Religious conflict: Shia Safavids vs. Sunni Mughals

Administration of Empires

Methods of Legitimizing and Consolidating Power

1. Bureaucracy

• Ottomans: Devshirme system; conversion and education of enslaved Christians

2. Military Professionals

• Use of elite forces such as the Janissaries

3. Religious Ideas, Art, and Architecture

• Europe: Divine right of kings
• Qing Dynasty: Imperial portraits for Han legitimacy
• Inca: Sun Temple of Cusco as a religious and legitimizing monument

4. Tax Collection Innovations

• Mughals: Zamindar system; landowners collected taxes
• Ottomans: Tax farming; highest bidder collected taxes
• Aztecs: Tribute lists from conquered regions

Changes and Continuities in Belief Systems

Christianity in Europe

• Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther's 95 Theses and the split
• Catholic Reformation: Council of Trent and reaffirmation of doctrine

Islam

• Sunni-Shia Split: Intensified by Safavid political rivalries
• Safavid Policy: Forced Shia Islam and public cursing of Sunni Imams

Sikhism in South Asia

• Blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines
• Continuities: Belief in one God, reincarnation
• Changes: Rejection of gender hierarchies and caste system

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key themes and events related to land-based empires from 1450-1750. For more detailed study, refer to individual topic videos or guides.