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

Overview

• Focus on land-based empires and their expansion, administration, and belief systems during the period 1450 to 1750.
• Land-based empires derive power from the extent of territorial holdings.
• Major empires covered: Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing.

Empire Expansions

Ottoman Empire

• Founded in the 14th century, expanded rapidly.
• Key factors: adoption of gunpowder weapons, conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
• Conquered much of Southwestern Europe and Anatolia.
• Used enslaved Christians from the Balkans to create an elite fighting force, Janissaries.

Safavid Empire

• Founded in the early 16th century.
• Expanded through raids and conquest under Shah Ismail.
• Built a powerful military using gunpowder weapons.
• Enslaved Christians from Caucasus created an elite military force.
• Main conflict with Ottomans: Sunni (Ottoman) vs. Shia (Safavid) Islam.

Mughal Empire

• Established in South and Central Asia in the 16th century by Babur.
• Overthrew the Delhi Sultanate; expanded with gunpowder weapons.
• Akbar's reign marked with religious tolerance; prosperous empire.

Qing Dynasty (Manchu Empire)

• Established after the fall of Ming Dynasty by the Manchu in the 17th century.
• Expanded using gunpowder technology.
• Ethnically different from Han Chinese.

Administration and Power Consolidation

Bureaucracy

• Essential for maintaining control over expanding empires.
• Example: Ottoman Devshirme system for staffing bureaucracy with converted Christians.

Military Professionals

• Use of elite forces like the Ottoman Janissaries.

Religious Ideas, Art, and Architecture

• Religious Legitimacy: Divine Right of Kings in Europe.
• Art: Qing Dynasty's portraits of Emperor Kangxi to legitimize rule.
• Architecture: Inca Sun Temple of Cusco; Palace of Versailles by Louis XIV to centralize power.

Tax Collection Systems

• Zamindars in the Mughal Empire to collect taxes.
• Tax Farming in the Ottoman Empire: auctioned tax collection rights.
• Tribute Lists in the Aztec Empire for revenue and control.

Belief Systems

Christianity in Europe

• Protestant Reformation: Initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses.
• Catholic Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent reforms.

Islam

• Sunni-Shia Split: Intensified by Shah Ismail's declaration of Shia Islam in the Safavid Empire.

Sikhism in South Asia

• Syncretic blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines.
• Continuities: belief in one God, reincarnation.
• Changes: rejection of Islamic gender hierarchy and Hindu caste system.

For more detailed assistance, refer to the AP World History review guide mentioned in the lecture.