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Land-Based Empires of 1450-1750 AP World Unit 3

Dec 16, 2024

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

Overview

  • Focus on land-based empires: expansion, administration, belief systems.
  • Time period: 1450 to 1750.
  • Definition: Land-based empire is one whose power comes from territorial holdings.

Key Empires

  1. Ottoman Empire

    • Origin: Founded in the 14th century, expanded rapidly using gunpowder weapons.
    • Key event: Conquest of Constantinople in 1453, renamed Istanbul.
    • Military: Used enslaved Christians as Janissaries.
  2. Safavid Empire

    • Location: Middle East, founded in the early 16th century.
    • Expansion: Rapid expansion using gunpowder and military innovations.
    • Religion: Shia Islam, conflict with Sunni Ottomans.
  3. Mughal Empire

    • Location: South and Central Asia, established in the 16th century.
    • Key figure: Akbar, known for administrative skill and religious tolerance.
    • Military: Expansion with gunpowder weapons.
  4. Qing Dynasty (Manchu Empire)

    • Origin: Manchu people established Qing after the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
    • Strategy: Expanded using gunpowder weapons.

Comparative Summary

  • All empires were land-based and expanded rapidly using gunpowder.
  • Ethnic and religious differences played a significant role in administration and conflict.

Conflicts

  • Safavid-Mughal Conflict: Territorial disputes in Afghanistan, driven by religious differences (Sunni vs. Shia).

Administration of Empires

  • Legitimization and Consolidation of Power
    • Formation of large bureaucracies (e.g., Ottoman devshirme system).
    • Development of military professionals (e.g., Janissaries).
    • Use of religious ideas, art, and architecture.
      • Divine Right (Europe), Qing portraits, Inca Sun Temple, Palace of Versailles.
    • Innovations in tax collection (Mughal zamindar, Ottoman tax farming, Aztec tribute lists).

Belief Systems

  • Christianity in Europe

    • Corruption in the Catholic Church led to the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.
    • Catholic Reformation (Council of Trent) aimed to address corruption.
  • Islam

    • Sunni-Shia split intensified by Safavid policies under Shah Ismail.
  • Sikhism

    • Syncretic religion combining elements of Hinduism and Islam.
    • Rejected gender hierarchies and the caste system.

Study Resources

  • Mentioned the AP World History Heimler Review Guide for further study.