Heimler's History: AP World History Unit 3 Overview

Key Theme

• How did land-based Empires gain and maintain control from 1450 to 1750?
  • Consolidation of Power: Rulers communicated they were in charge.
  • Legitimization of Power: Rulers showed they were in charge.

Major Empires Discussed

• Qing Dynasty (Manchu) in Central and Southeast Asia
• Mughal Empire in South and Central Asia
• Ottoman Empire in Southern Europe, Middle East, North Africa
• Safavid Empire in the Middle East

Consolidation of Power

Centralizing a Bureaucracy

• Bureaucracy: Government employees executing the ruler's will.
• China: Manchu reintroduced the Civil Service examination to unify thought and belief.
• Ottomans: Used the devshirme system, enslaving Christian boys for military/bureaucratic roles.
• Songhai Empire: Controlled trade routes, alliances, military expansion, and displayed power through rituals.
• Aztec Empire: Relied on a tribute system instead of centralized bureaucracy.

Tax Collection

• Mughal Empire: Zamindars collected taxes based on land holdings/production.
• Ottomans: Used tax farming; tax farmers collected specified amounts, often taking more for themselves.
• Aztecs: Tribute lists dictated goods owed by tribute states, including humans for sacrifices.

Military Expansion

• Eurasian Empires: Relied on gunpowder weapons.
• American Empires: Used intimidation tactics, including human sacrifice.
• Elite Military Groups: Ottomans had Janissaries; Safavids had Ghulams; Aztecs had a tribute-based elite squad.

Legitimizing Power

Religion

• Islamic Emperors: Adopted the title Caliph, successor to Muhammad.
• European Kings: Divine right of kings doctrine.
• Songhai Empire: Conversion of rulers/nobles to Islam.
• Conflicts: Protestant Reformation in Europe; Ottoman-Safavid Sunni-Shia conflict.

Art and Monumental Architecture

• Art: Qing Dynasty officials commissioned portraits to exhibit authority.
• Monumental Architecture: Structures with exaggerated features.
  • Mughal Empire: Taj Mahal as a symbol of power.
  • France: Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles to demonstrate power and control nobility.

Conclusion

• Understanding these methods of consolidation and legitimization is key for AP World History Unit 3.
• Aim: Get an A in class and a 5 on the exam.

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