AP World History Unit 3 Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the expansion, administration, and belief systems of land-based empires between 1450 and 1750.

Land-based Empire

An empire whose power comes from the extent of its territorial holdings.

Ottoman Empire

An empire founded in the 14th century that expanded via gunpowder weapons, notably conquering Constantinople in 1453 and renaming it Istanbul.

Janissaries

An elite fighting force of the Ottoman Empire composed of enslaved Christians from the Balkans who were converted to Islam.

Safavid Empire

A 16th-century Middle Eastern empire that adhered to Shia Islam and used gunpowder weapons to expand despite lacking natural defensive barriers.

Sunni Islam

The branch of Islam practiced by the Ottomans and Mughals, believing that the rightful successor to Muhammad could be anyone spiritually fit for the office.

Shia Islam

The branch of Islam practiced by the Safavids, believing that only blood relatives of Muhammad were his legitimate successors.

Mughal Empire

An empire established in South and Central Asia in 1526 by Babur that used gunpowder to expand and reached its peak of prosperity under Akbar.

Ching Dynasty

Also known as the Manchu Empire, this dynasty was established in the 17th century by outsiders from the north who replaced the Ming Dynasty in China.

Devshirme

An Ottoman system used to staff the bureaucracy with highly trained individuals by enslaving Christian boys from the Balkans and converting them to Islam.

Divine Right of Kings

The religious belief held by European monarchs that they were God's representatives on earth, used to legitimize their authority.

Zamindars

Elite landowners in the Mughal Empire who were granted authority by the imperial government to collect taxes from peasants on their land.

Tax Farming

An Ottoman system where the right to collect taxes was sold to the highest bidder, who then enriched themselves by charging more than what was required.

Indulgences

Payments made to the Roman Catholic Church to receive forgiveness for sins, a practice used to finance massive building projects.

Protestant Reformation

A major split in the Christian church triggered in 1517 by Martin Luther's 95 Thesis, which criticized corruption in the Roman Catholic Church.

Sikhism

A syncretic religion in South Asia that blended Hindu and Islamic doctrines, including a belief in one God and the cycle of reincarnation.

What is a land-based empire?

An empire whose power comes from the extent of its territorial holdings.

When was the Ottoman Empire founded?

The Ottoman Empire was founded in the 14th century.

What were Janissaries?

An elite fighting force of the Ottoman Empire composed of enslaved Christians from the Balkans who were converted to Islam.

What was the Safavid Empire?

A 16th-century Middle Eastern empire that adhered to Shia Islam and used gunpowder weapons to expand despite lacking natural defensive barriers.

What is Sunni Islam?

The branch of Islam practiced by the Ottomans and Mughals, believing that the rightful successor to Muhammad could be anyone spiritually fit for the office.

What is Shia Islam?

The branch of Islam practiced by the Safavids, believing that only blood relatives of Muhammad were his legitimate successors.

When was the Mughal Empire established?

The Mughal Empire was established in South and Central Asia in 1526 by Babur.

What is the Ching Dynasty?

Also known as the Manchu Empire, this dynasty was established in the 17th century by outsiders from the north who replaced the Ming Dynasty in China.

What is the Devshirme system?

An Ottoman system used to staff the bureaucracy with highly trained individuals by enslaving Christian boys from the Balkans and converting them to Islam.

What does the Divine Right of Kings refer to?

The religious belief held by European monarchs that they were God's representatives on earth, used to legitimize their authority.

Who were Zamindars?

Elite landowners in the Mughal Empire who were granted authority by the imperial government to collect taxes from peasants on their land.

What is Tax Farming?

An Ottoman system where the right to collect taxes was sold to the highest bidder, who then enriched themselves by charging more than what was required.

What are Indulgences?

Payments made to the Roman Catholic Church to receive forgiveness for sins, a practice used to finance massive building projects.

What triggered the Protestant Reformation?

A major split in the Christian church triggered in 1517 by Martin Luther's 95 Thesis, which criticized corruption in the Roman Catholic Church.

What is Sikhism?

A syncretic religion in South Asia that blended Hindu and Islamic doctrines, including a belief in one God and the cycle of reincarnation.