Mongol Empire, Ottoman, and Safavid: Key Concepts and Historical Figures

Mongols

Originated as clans in Mongolia and expanded from 1206 - 1259 to become the world's largest land empire.

Modern World

The world pushing forward (different from contemporary).

Pastoral Nomads

Lives centered around caring for herds of animals.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and cultural flourishing in the Mongol Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Steppe

Flat grassland without much water.

Temüjin/Chinggis Khan

A ruthless and brutal leader who united Mongolian clans and led military campaigns to grow the empire.

Ibn al-Athir's The Complete History

A primary source describing the rule and conquest of the Mongols as bloody and violent.

Ala-ad-Din Ata-Malik Javaini's History of the World Conqueror

A historian's account during the Pax Mongolica describing the power of the tribe of Qiyat due to Chinggis Khan's expansion.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic of bubonic plague which caused swollen lymph nodes, high fever, and rapid death.

Debauchery

Enjoyed life before death.

Semi-monastic orders

Trusted internal instincts instead of religion.

Self punishment

Believed that the plague was punishment from God and wanted to atone for their sins.

Divine Right

Power from a high power.

Impact of the Black Death

Around 200 million people died, leading to changes in public health and sanitation.

Public Health Changes

Interest in health and systemic approaches long term due to the pandemic.

Civil Unrest

Food shortages due to farmers falling sick led to civil unrest and government collapse.

Dynastic States

Arise from the collapse and focus on regaining the confidence of the people.

Overcrowded Cities

Cities were overcrowded and unsanitary, causing people to flee to the countryside.

Communication System

Safe supply lines and yam relay system used for communication by the Mongols.

Military Strategy

Mongols used spies to prepare for attacks.

Religious Tolerance

Some religious tolerance was practiced by the Mongols.

Economic Strength

The Mongol Empire had a strong economy and technology.

Ghazis

Fierce warriors who helped Osman I gain a following.

Dardanelles Gun

An example of the gunpowder weapons that the Ottomans used for centuries.

Men of the pen

Scientists, poets, scholars.

Men of the sword

Soldiers, warriors, janissaries.

Men of negotiation

Merchants, artisans, people who handle money.

Men of husbandry

Farmers.

Janissaries

A group of elite warriors loyal directly to the sultan.

People of the book

People who practice Abrahamic religions.

Jizya

Tax levied on people of the book.

Devshirme

Conscription of good looking non-Muslim youth to convert to Islam, speak Turkish and become janissaries.

Byzantine Empire

Christian empire which followed the Roman empire and whose capital was Constantinople.

Coffeehouses

Places to wait before going to the Mosques, became a center of socialization and forming public opinion which grew so popular that the government sent spies.

Topaki Palace

Housed the government, the sultan and the sultan's harem and was designed to legitimize the sultan's power and be the 'center of the world.'

Osman I (r. 1299-1326)

The founder of the Ottomans who gained a following due to warrior strength, ghazis, and diverse groups.

Mehmed the Conqueror (r. 1451-1481)

Successfully conquered Constantinople by building a fortress outside the city and providing religious motivation for the conquest.

Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566)

Expanded the empire more than any other sultan and showed wealth and power through art and architecture, including the Suleiman Mosque.

Qizilbash

Military aristocrats who owned land and were generals and commanding officers in the army.

Sunni Islam

The Ottoman branch of Islam that believes that anyone who is pious enough could be the next leader of the religion.

Shi'a Islam

The Safavid branch of Islam that believes that only direct descendants of Muhammad can be the next leader of the religion.

Isfahan

Capital of the Safavid empire.

Maydan

Open air public square in Isfahan surrounded by shops, mosques, HQ of the government and Masjid-i Shah (mosque) where they held festivals and polo games. It symbolized legitimacy, and vitality of faith as well as boosting the economy.

Shah Isma'il

Founder of the Safavid empire who thought that he was 'that guy' at the same level as historical figures like Alexander the Great.

Shah Abbas

Regained stability for the Safavid empire after Shah Isma'il's death.

Battle of Chaldrin

A battle in 1514 where the Ottomans defeated the Safavids.

Safavid Trade

Worked with the British to trade around the Portuguese but eventually the Europeans took control.

Absolute Power

Leaders claimed to be put in place by God, giving them absolute and unquestionable power and legitimizing their rule.

Religious Hostility

Hostile both to people of other religions and to people who were over zealously faithful.

Religious Elimination

Tried to eliminate other kinds of Islam and convert people.

Succession Crisis

Shah Abbas left no clear successor which led to rivalries and infighting.

Collapse Factors

Collapse combined with the two front religious war they were fighting with the Ottomans and the Mughals and their damaged economy.

Last Shah

Fell in 1726.

Red Turban Movement

A rebellion against the Mongols in China that led to the Ming Dynasty.

Tribute System

Method for foreign relations created after the expeditions of Zheng He, which included a gift exchange and a kowtow in front of the Emperor to demonstrate China's superiority.

Kowtow

A bow so low that the person's head touches the floor.

Neo-confucianism

A combination of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism focused on ethics, morality, self cultivation, introspection and social relationships that represented a return to traditional Chinese values.

Beijing

Capital of China under the Ming dynasty and the location of the Forbidden City.

Forbidden City

The city for royalty in Beijing which prohibited foreigners and legitimized the emperor's power through grand architecture.

Great Wall of China

Wall along China's northern border greatly expanded by the Ming Dynasty.

Hongwu Emperor

Born Zhu Yuanzhang, led the Red Turban Movement and founded the Ming Dynasty.

Yongle Emperor

Sponsored and supported Zheng He's expeditions.

Zheng He

A Chinese admiral sent on 7 of the largest naval expeditions of the time to demonstrate China's power and wealth which led to increased trade.

The Hongwu Emperor's An Imperial Edict Restraining Officials from Evil

Aims to address corruption within the government by establishing clear morals and painting the emperor as virtuous and good.

Village Ordinances: "Prohibition Ordinance" (Anonymous)

Aims to address the corruption within the local government by creating districts who will come together to make decisions about punishments.

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