unit 3 ap world 1450-1750

Gunpowder Empires (1450–1750)

Large land-based empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) used gunpowder technology to expand politically and centralize power, showing a shift in military and state-building systems.

Ottoman Empire (c. 1300–1922, Southwest Asia/Eastern Europe)

Sunni Muslim empire that captured Constantinople (1453) and controlled trade routes, strengthening political and economic power.

Safavid Empire (1501–1736, Persia/Iran)

Shi’a Muslim state that used religion to unify politically but caused conflict with Sunni neighbors like the Ottomans.

Mughal Empire (1526–1857, South Asia/India)

Centralized empire known for wealth, trade, and religious diversity, stabilized under tolerant rulers like Akbar.

Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566, Ottoman Empire)

Expanded territory into Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, and strengthened laws by organizing a clear legal system (bureacracy), representing the peak of political organization, military power, and cultural development.

Akbar (r. 1556–1605, Mughal India)

Promoted religious tolerance and administrative efficiency, reducing conflict in a diverse empire.

Shah Ismail (r. 1501–1524, Safavid Empire)

Established Shi’a Islam as the state religion, increasing unity but intensifying Sunni–Shi’a conflict.

Devshirme System (1400s–1700s, Ottoman Empire)

System of recruiting Christian boys for state service, strengthening central authority and bureaucracy.

Janissaries (1400s–1700s, Ottoman Empire)

Elite infantry loyal to the sultan, key to military expansion but later became politically powerful.

Ghulams (1500s–1700s, Safavid Empire)

Slave soldiers used to strengthen the military and reduce reliance on tribal forces.

Zamindars (1500s–1700s, Mughal India)

Local officials who collected taxes, helping economic control but often exploiting peasants.

Tax Farming (1450–1750, Ottoman & others)

Governments outsourced tax collection, increasing revenue but causing corruption and instability.

Tribute System (1450–1750, Multiple Regions)

Conquered states paid goods or labor, reinforcing political dominance and economic wealth.

Absolutism (1600s, Europe)

System where monarchs held total power, increasing centralization but limiting political participation.

Louis XIV (r. 1643–1715, France)

Absolute monarch who used Versailles and divine right to control nobility and strengthen the state.

Divine Right (1500s–1700s, Europe)

Belief that rulers receive authority from God, used to justify absolute monarchy.

Limited Monarchy (1688, England)

System where Parliament shares power with the monarch, showing a shift away from absolutism.

Ivan IV “the Terrible” (r. 1547–1584, Russia)

Expanded Russian territory and strengthened autocracy, increasing control over nobles.

Peter the Great (r. 1682–1725, Russia)

Modernized Russia and expanded state power, increasing centralization and Western influence.

Cossacks (1500s–1700s, Russia)

Semi-independent warriors who helped expand Russian territory eastward.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912, China)

Manchu rulers expanded territory and maintained Confucian systems, showing continuity and change.

Tokugawa Shogunate (1603–1868, Japan)

Centralized feudal system that controlled daimyo and limited foreign contact, creating stability.

Daimyo & Samurai (1600s, Japan)

Landowning lords and warrior class that maintained social order under Tokugawa rule.

Protestant Reformation (1517, Europe)

Movement that split Christianity, weakening Catholic power and increasing political conflict.

Martin Luther (1517, Germany)

Challenged Church corruption, leading to religious change and the rise of Protestantism.

John Calvin (1536, Switzerland)

Promoted predestination and the Protestant work ethic, influencing capitalism and economic growth.

Anglican Church (1534, England)

State-controlled church created by Henry VIII, increasing royal authority.

Counter-Reformation (1500s–1600s, Europe)

Catholic reforms that revived influence and slowed Protestant expansion.

Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648, Europe)

Religious conflict that caused devastation and weakened political unity.

Peace of Westphalia (1648, Europe)

Ended religious wars and increased state sovereignty, reducing Church power.

Sunni–Shi’a Split (since 632, Islamic world)

Division over leadership that caused long-term political and religious conflict.

Sikhism (c. 1500, South Asia)

Syncretic religion blending Hindu and Islamic beliefs, promoting unity.

Scientific Revolution (1600s, Europe)

Shift to reason and empirical evidence, weakening religious authority and influencing Enlightenment ideas.

Art & Architecture (1450–1750, Global)

Structures like the Taj Mahal and Versailles demonstrated political power and cultural legitimacy.

Social Hierarchies (1450–1750, Global)

Rigid class systems (nobles, peasants, caste system, serfdom) maintained inequality across empires.