AP World History Unit 3 Questions

Why is 1450 an important year? What does it symbolize?

It symbolizes the end of the medieval period and the beginning of the early modern period.

What events signal the beginning of the early modern period (the mid-1450s)?

The closing of a wave of plagues, the Hundred Years' War between France and England, and the invention of the Gutenburg printing press.

How did new monarchies come about and what did they want to control?

New monarchies came about because of the desire to centralize power and they wanted to control taxes, the army, and many aspects of religion.

What new monarchies appeared and where were they located?

The Tudors in England, the Valois in France, and Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in Spain.

Who did the rise of new monarchies negatively impact?

Bureaucracies and the power of the middle class increased, negatively impacting the lords and churches.

Why is Russia considered a mix of East and West?

Russia's capital, Kiev, St.Petersburg, or Moscow, was located in Europe. Although the Mongols influenced it from Central Asia, Russia was also a result of Viking invasions and trading.

Where did Ivan IV(Ivan the Terrible) expand and how?

He expanded Russia to the east by taking control of the Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia khanates previously controlled by descendants of the Golden Horde. This expansion often relied on the use of gunpowder.

Why did Russia need to expand

To obtain valuable resources and materials to continue expansion.

What was the Volga and why did Ivan IV want it?

The Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea, and Ivan IV wanted control of it because he wanted to control the fur trade.

What was the significance of the Cossacks?

They were fierce bands of warriors that were successful in conquering the Siberian local tribes and their khan.

Why was it so important to take the Volga River?

Moscow could now trade directly with Persia and the Ottoman Empire without dealing with the strong forces of Crimean Tartars.

How did expansion continue after Ivan IV?

Russian fur traders and militias defeated many Siberian tribes, which allowed missionaries to spread the Eastern Orthodox faith. By 1639, Russia had advanced to the Pacific Ocean, where explorations and fur trading expeditions took place to Alaska, North America, and California.

What was the Ming Dynasty? Where did they expand?

The Ming Dynasty replaced the Yuan Dynasty in 1368 and they conquered lands in Mongolia and Central Asia.

How did the Mongols react to the Ming Dynasty's expansion? How do the Ming protect themselves?

Mongol armies defeated Ming forces, taking the emperor prisoner. China's leaders relied on the Great Wall of China for protection, as it had not been maintained under Mongol rule but was restored and expanded by the Ming Dynasty.

Who was Emperor Kangxi?

One of China's longest-lasting emperors who ruled over a period of stability and expansion during the Qing Dynasty.

Where did he send forces and expand?

He sent forces into Taiwan, Mongolia, and Central Asia and also expanded into Tibet.

What was his overall impact?

He imposed a protectorate over Tibet, the mountainous land north of India, which is reflected in China's control of the region today.

Which of his campaigns failed?

None

Who was Emperor Qianlong?

A significant Qing ruler who was a poet knowledgeable in art and calligraphy.

Where did he send his forces and where did he expand?

He sent forces to the west of China and also Tibet to install the Dalai Lama on the throne there. He also took over the Nepalese, forcing them to submit to Chinese rule.

What was his overall impact?

Expanding into the territory west of China led to the annexation of Xinjiang and mass killings of the population, which still affects parts of Xinjiang today. The Muslim population of Uighurs hasn't become fully incorporated into Chinese culture.

Which campaigns of his failed?

Qianlong's military campaigns against Burma and Vietnam were unsuccessful, dramatically decreasing their resources.

Explain the relationship of the Qing Dynasty with the British.

Needing funds, the Qing Dynasty sold limited trading privileges to European powers but confined them to Guangzhou, or Canton. The British were not satisfied, so they asked for more trading rights in 1793. Emperor Qianlong sent a letter to King George III stating that they did not need British goods.

What was the White Lotus Rebellion? Why was it formed and what was the result?

During the later part of Qianlong's reign, the efficient bureaucracy suddenly became corrupt, as it was levying very high taxes on the people. In response, a group of peasants organized this rebellion, which was stopped abruptly by the Qing government, killing about 100,000 peasants.

What general qualities did the Islamic gunpowder empires share?

They all descended from Turkic nomads who once lived in Central Asia, spoke a turkic language, took advantage of power vacuums left by the decline of the Mongol khanates, and relied on gunpowder weapons like cannons and artillery.

Why were the Gunpowder Empires so successful?

Their military as well as the weakened regimes that they took over led them to victory. European nations also fought with one another instead of working together to take on the new powers in the east.

Who was Tamerlane and how is he significant to the rise of the empires?

Also known as Timur the Lame, he was a Mongol-Turkic ruler who set the stage for the rise of the Turkic empires.

Where did Tamerlane expand and what was the impact of his expansion?

He led an army that was partially nomadic invaders from the broad steppes of Eurasia to conquer parts of Persia and India. Some historians believe that Tamerlane's conquest of Central Asia included the massacre of 100,000 Hindus in Delhi.

How did the three dynasties emerge? How is the ghazi ideal part of this?

The pattern of violent conquest caused the formation of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal dynasties. The ghazi ideal came from the Eurasian steppes and served as a code of honor for warriors, and according to some historians, these warriors contributed to the rise of the Gunpowder Empires.

Why and how did the invasions of Tamerlane prove a testament to the significance of gunpowder?

He used gunpowder to build a government that was dependent on the military and use of artillery. He also used it to protect the Silk Roads, but failed to leave a strong political structure in many of the areas that were conquered, causing the expenses of war to destroy the empire's economy.

Which two forces battle one another from the late 10th century to the 14th century?

Mongols from the northeast and Islamic forces from Arabia and other areas around the Mediterranean. These forces would constantly clash during the rise and fall of the Asian Gunpowder Empires.

Describe the Ottoman Empire - how long does it last? Where is it located?

The Ottoman empire, located in modern-day Turkey, the Balkan areas of Europe, parts of North Africa, and Southeast Asia, lasted from the 1300s to the year 1918.

Who was Mehmed II? What were his achievements?

Known as the Conqueror, Mehmed II established the Ottoman empire at Constantinople after capturing it with cannons.

Why was Istanbul so successful/prosperous?

The capital city was renamed to Istanbul, and it prospered because of its location that gave them control of the Bosporus Strait, linking the Aegean Sea with the Black Sea. When the Mamluk dynasty declined, the city became a center of Islam.

Where did Mehmed II go after Istanbul?

He seized lands around the western edge of the Black Sea, and then the Balkans in Southeast Europe as well as parts of Italy.

While Mehmed II did not conquer Venice, how did he treat it?

While Mehmed II did not conquer Venice, how did he treat it?

Who was Suleiman? Where did his navy go and what locations did they capture?

The Ottoman empire reached its peak under the rule of Suleiman I. His navy captured the island of Rhodes in the eastern Mediterranean, which was a stronghold for Christian knights. It also took over Tripoli in North Africa.

How did Europe view the Ottoman Empire?

The Ottoman Empire experienced a transformation as the state adapted to internal and external pressures, followed by a period of reform. Struggles to defend the empire against invasion and occupation led its collapse in 1922.

What was the Safavid Dynasty?

Established in Iran, this empire had its origin in the Safavid order of Sufism.

What were two of the Safavid Empire's largest problems?

Despite being on the Arabian Sea, they did not have a real navy. Plus, they lacked natural defenses.

In spite of their problems, how did they still gain power?

Their powerful land-based military and strong leadership.

Who was Shah Abbas I? What was his significance in expansion?

Called Abbas the Great, he presided over the Safavid empire at its peak.

What was their military organization and strategy?

The army was mostly made up of Christian boys from as far northwest as Georgia in Russia. Abbas imported weaponry from Europe and Europeans advised his troops about the new military technology.

Shah Ismail built his empire with the support of the Shi'a --- why was this a problem?

This strict adherence to Shi'a Islam created hostility with the Ottoman Empire, which was a stronghold of Sunni Islam. The tension between the two groups is still present today in Iraq and Iran.

What other conflicts are there? How did the Ottomans create problems for the Safavids?

The Ottomans used trade embargoes, bans on trade, against the Safavid silk traders as a way to become dominant over their eastern rival.

Explain how women in the Safavid Empire were treated.

While Safavid women were veiled and restricted in their movements, they had access to rights provided by Islamic law for inheritance and even divorce.

Who was Babur? How were he and Akbar related and what was their significance?

Babur was a descendant of Tamerlane who founded the Mughal Dynasty when India was in disarray. Babur completed conquests in northern India and established a central government similar to the one created by Suleiman in Turkey. Akbar, Babur's grandson, had religious and political success.

What made the Mughals prosperous? What did they trade and where?

Under Akbar's rule, the Mughal Empire thrived. Overseas trade flourished through mostly Arab traders who sold textiles, tropical foods, spices, and precious stones, receiving gold and silver.

What was the caste system? Describe it and list the five groups.

Castes, or jatis, are social groupings for Hindus designated at birth. The five groups include Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits(outside of the system).

How else do we know that the Mughals flourished? What evidence is there?

Magnificent architectural accomplishments serve as remaining testaments to the prosperity of the Mughal Empire.

In general, how did the three empires decline?

These three empires declined as Western Europe grew their economy and military.

Why did Russia survive in comparison?

Russia modernized and reorganized its army to resemble that of England, France, and the Netherlands. As a result, Russia was powerful enough to survive on its own, while the Gunpowder Empires were not.

How did poor leadership also impact the Ottomans?

After Suleiman died, the Ottomans had weak sultans.

How are the Battle of Lepanto and Harem Politics involved in their decline?

A European force of Spaniards and Venetians defeated the Ottomans in the naval conflict known as the Battle of Lepanto. Many successors to Suleiman were held hostage to harem politics, the efforts of wives and concubines of the sultan to promote their children as likely heirs to the throne.

How did women exert political influence?

Some women became powerful behind the scenes because of harem politics.

Explain the turning point in the Ottoman Empire's domination of Eastern Europe.

The failure of capturing Vienna in 1638 marked the turning point in the Ottoman Empire's domination of Eastern Europe.

How else were they weakened?

British and French involvement in Ottoman territories, Greece gaining independence, and the Russian expansion further weakened the Ottoman Empire.

How did the weakened economy of the Safavids happen?

The poor leadership after the rule of Shah Abbas combined lavish lifestyles and military spending with falling revenues.

How did Sunni Pashtuns further the decline of the Safavid Empire?

In 1722, a rebellion led by the largely oppressed Sunni Pashtuns against the Safavid Empire was successful.

Who seized their territories?

The Ottomans and Romans.

What replaced the Safavid Dynasty?

The Zand Dynasty in 1760.

Who was Aurangzeb and how is he relevant to the Mughal Decline?

He was Shah Jahan's successor, and contributed to causing the Mughal decline because when he expanded his empire to the south, it drained their treasury so that it couldn't prevent peasant uprisings.

Why was the Mughal Empire weak when Aurangzeb took power?

It had experienced corruption and failure to keep up with the military innovations of other empires.

How does he try to fix the Mughal Empire?

Aurangzeb expands the empire to the south.

How did his "fix" actually lead to further decline?

He used up the empire's treasury and was unable to control peasant revolts.

Why did peasants revolt?

Aurangzeb's insistence on an austere and pious Islamic lifestyle and the intolerance of minority religions such as Sikhs, Hindus, and others caused several conflicts and rebellions.

Who took power away from the Mughals?

Because of revolts among the Hindu and Islamic princes, the empire continued to be unusable after Aurangzeb's death. British and French gained more economic power in India, and the British would also gain political power in the 19th century over the Mughals.

How did King James I use the Divine Right of Kings to justify his rule?

Since this was the belief that the right to rule was given by God, King James I believed he was outside of the law and earthly authority and that any challenge towards him was a challenge towards God.

What was the role of the justices of the peace in Tudor England and why were they so important?

Their job was to maintain peace in England, settle legal matters sometimes, and carry out the monarch's laws. The number and responsibilities of these justices increased during Tudor rule, which made them one of the most powerful and important groups in the kingdom.

What was the effect of a stronger Tudor rule on feudalism in England? What was the role of Parliament?

Under Tudor rule, feudal lords were greatly weakened. Many seats in the House of Commons in Parliament were held by justices of the peace, and the two groups gave legitimacy to monarch authority.

List two things the English Bill of Rights accomplished

It required legal processes before someone could be arrested or detained, and guaranteed protection against tyranny in the monarchy by requiring the agreement of Parliament on decisions involving taxation and raising an army.

How did the French government grow in comparison to the English?

The French government was more absolute, meaning that they were led by one king with all the authority.

How did Louis XVIII change the French government?

Building upon the divine right of the monarchy achieved by King Henry IV, Louis XIII and his minister Cardinal Richelieu developed a greater centralization of the government and a system of intendants.

Why were intendants called tax farmers?

They oversaw the collection of taxes that supported the royal governments.

Why was Louis XIV considered a dictator?

He wanted to hold absolute power and expand the borders of France.

Why did Louis XIV want absolute power?

He declared that he was the state.

What was the significance of Versailles to the French government?

Louis XIV kept his nobles close to him at Versailles, reducing their ability to act independently or plot against him. However, his resistance to share power eventually led to the decline of the French government.

Describe the class system in Russia

The social scale in Moscow was static, just like it had been in Kievan Russia earlier. The boyars were at the top of the scale, then the merchants below them, and finally the peasants, who would gradually sink more into debt and serfdom.

How did Ivan IV feel about the boyar class? What did Ivan IV create to keep an eye on the Boyars?

Boyars in Novgorod opposed the expansionist policies of Ivan IV, so he punished them by confiscating their land and forcing them and their families to move to Moscow. Additionally, Ivan IV established a parliamentary force called the oprichnina.

How did Ivan IV create loyalty within the oprichnina?

He chose them from lower-level bureaucrats and merchants to ensure that they would be loyal to Ivan rather than the boyars.

What were the three groups in Russia vying for power under the Romanov Dynasty and what did they want?

The Church wanted to conserve traditional values and beliefs, the boyars wanted to gain and hold power, and members of the tsar's royal family fought for the throne.

Who did Peter have to defeat to come into power?

His half-sister Sophia and her supporters, which was a boyar-led military corps called the Streltsy.

Why did Peter lose favor amongst members of the clergy despite being referred to as "the Defender of Orthodoxy?"

Later in his reign, Peter reorganized the Russian government by creating provinces, and provincial officials received a salary instead of allowing them to collect money through bribes, fees, and taxes. He also created a senate that would advise government officials in Peter's absence.

How did Peter organize the Russian government?

Into provinces that increased from 8 to 50 during his rule.

Describe the devshirme system in the Ottoman Empire - Include the types of jobs they had as well as why the Janissaries were loyal to the Ottoman Empire.

To control large areas, the Ottoman Empire used a selection system called devshirme to staff their military and government. Christian boys from conquered lands were recruited to be taught in politics, the arts, and the military of the Ottoman Empire through a high level of education. They obtained jobs like administrators, scribes, tax collectors, and diplomats. The Janissaries was a group that was an elite force in the Ottoman army, and all Christian boys were indoctrinated to be fiercely loyal to the sultan.

Why did some parents want their sons to be taken into slavery by the Ottoman Empire?

Sometimes, becoming a Janissary provided a path of upward mobility, even though the Janissaries continued to be called "slaves of the state".

How did the Ming Dynasty erase Mongol influence in China?

They brought back the civil service exam, improved education by establishing a national school system, and reestablished the bureaucracy, which had weakened during Mongol rule.

How did the daimyo contribute to decentralization in Japan? How did they give samurai significant economic power in Japan?

Conflict between daimyo left Japan in disarray. Their samurai were salaried, first paid in rice and later in gold, which gave them significant economic power.

Summarize the role of Oda Nobunaga:

Oda Nobunaga and his samurai, armed with muskets bought from Portuguese traders, took over Kyoto in 1568. He extended his power by forcing daimyo around Kyoto to submit to his rule, unifying about one-third of Japan until he was assassinated in 1582.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate reorganize the government of Japan?

Japan was divided into 250 hans, or territories, which were controlled by a daimyo who had his own army and was fairly independent.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate control the aristocratic daimyos?

The Tokugawa government enforced that daimyo maintain residences in their home territory and the capital. For example, if the daimyo was visiting his home territory, his family had to stay in Tokyo, which essentially reduced daimyo to landlords who managed the hans rather than independent leaders.

Summarize how Akbar established an efficient government in India.

He extended his empire into Delhi and established an efficient government and system of laws there. One of his laws allowed the people to appeal for him for final judgement in any lawsuit.

How did Zamindars eventually impact the Mughal Empire?

As Akbar's fame spread, capable men from all over Central Asia came to help him create a strong central government and an effective civil service. These people included zamindars, who were in charge of the taxation, construction, and water supply. However, when Akbar's rule ended, they began keeping more of the taxes than they were supposed to, which they used to build personal armies loyal to them.

Describe two ways in which European monarchs sought to legitimize the authority of their monarchs.

They followed the idea of the divine right of the monarchy and built impressive structures, like the Palace of Versailles in France, to demonstrate their power and glory.

What is the significance of the new lands Peter the Great conquered and of St. Petersburg?

When Peter the Great seized the warm-water port of St. Petersburg, the capital was moved there so that Peter could keep an eye on the boyars. He had the capital consist of streets in a rectangular grid, and had peasants and prisoners of war drain marshes, build streets, and construct government structures. The famous Winter Palace conveyed Peter's desire for a European rather than Byzantine style.

Describe two ways Askia the Great of Songhai changed his empire in order to legitimize his rule.

He greatly promoted Islam throughout the Songhai kingdom, and took an elaborate pilgrimage to Mecca, just like Mansa Musa had done. He also supported an efficient bureaucracy.

Mughal India was marked by magnificent architectural accomplishments. What were they? How did the Mughal Empire use art from Islam?

Architectural accomplishments included the Taj Mahal as a tomb for Shah Jahan's wife and building forts in Delhi. The arts of Islam were combined with local arts to create magnificent, airy structures with decorative geometric designs.

What did the artistic accomplishments of Mughal India show?

The power of their rulers.

How did the Ottoman Empire change at this time?

It experienced changes in religion and government.

What were some continuities in the Ottoman Empire at the time?

Constantinople remained at the western end of the overland Silk Roads, and Grand Bazaar continued to be full of foreign imports. Coffeehouses, although banned by Islamic law, thrived in the towns of the empire.