Unit 3 Review: AP World History (1450-1750)

Key Concepts

• Land-Based Empires: Empires whose power comes from the extent of their territorial holdings.
• Empires of Focus: Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing.

Expansion of Land-Based Empires

1. Ottoman Empire:

   • Founded in the 14th century.
   • Significant expansion with the adoption of gunpowder weapons.
   • Conquered Constantinople in 1453 (renamed Istanbul).
   • Janissaries: Elite military force made up of enslaved Christians.
   • Significant regions of control in Southwestern Europe and Anatolia by 1750.

2. Safavid Empire:

   • Middle East, founded in the early 16th century.
   • Rapid expansion under Shah Ismail.
   • Adopted gunpowder weapons.
   • Similar to Ottomans: enslaved and trained Christians for military.
   • The Sunni vs. Shia divide: Safavids were Shia Muslims, Ottomans were Sunni Muslims.

3. Mughal Empire:

   • South and Central Asia, established in the first half of the 16th century.
   • Replaced the Delhi Sultanate (conquered by Babur in 1526).
   • Significant expansion under Akbar.
   • Notable for religious tolerance under Akbar’s rule.
   • Prosperous under Akbar’s administration.

4. Qing Dynasty (Manchu Empire):

   • Followed the Ming Dynasty in China.
   • Founded in the first half of the 17th century by the Manchu people.
   • Expanded using gunpowder weapons.

Comparisons Among Empires

• All Empires: Land-based, rapid expansion using gunpowder weapons.
• Ottoman vs. Safavid: Both Muslim, but Ottomans were Sunni and Safavids were Shia.
• Mughal and Qing: Ethnically different from their subjects.
• Conflicts: The Safavid-Mughal conflict, highlighting territorial disputes and religious differences.

Administration of Empires

Methods of Legitimation and Consolidation

1. Large Bureaucracies: Nesta Only

   • Example: Ottomans used the Devshirme system to educate and integrate enslaved Christians into the bureaucracy.

2. Development of Professional Militaries:

   • Example: Janissaries in the Ottoman Empire.

3. Religious Ideas, Art, and Monumental Architecture:

   • Religious Ideas: Divine right of kings in Europe.
   • Art: Imperial portraits in the Qing Dynasty.
   • Monumental Architecture: Inca’s Sun Temple of Cusco, Palace of Versailles in France.

4. Innovations in Tax Collection Systems:

   • Mughal: Zamindar system - elite landowners taxed peasants.
   • Ottoman: Tax farming – rights to tax given to the highest bidder.
   • Aztecs: Tribute lists from conquered regions.

Changes and Continuities in Belief Systems

1. Christianity in Europe: The Protestant Reformation and Catholic Reformation

   • Protestant Reformation: Initiated by Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517.
   • Catholic Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent addressed corruption but reaffirmed core doctrines.

2. Islam: Sunni and Shia Rivalry

   • Safavid declaration of Shia Islam intensified the Sunni-Shia divide.
   • Implementation of policies to enforce Shia practices in the Safavid Empire.

3. Development of Sikhism in South Asia

   • Syncretic blend of Hinduism and Islam.
   • Maintained beliefs in one God and reincarnation but discarded gender hierarchies and caste system.

Conclusion

• Learning Resource: Detailed resources available for more thorough study of each topic.