Unit 3: Land Based Empires 1450-1750 Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key concepts from the lecture notes on Land Based Empires during the period of 1450-1750.

What was the primary method used by Gunpowder Empires to maintain power and expand?

Reliance on gunpowder technology for military strength and territorial expansion.

Which empires arose from the fall of Tamerlane's empire?

Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires

Who was Tamerlane?

A military leader from Samarkand who conquered land in Persia and India, known for his military control and violent conquests.

When did the Ottoman Empire exist?

1299-1922

Who conquered Constantinople in 1453 and what did they rename it?

Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) of the Ottoman Empire renamed it Istanbul.

What was the peak of the Ottoman Empire and what was their goal?

Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) attempted to push further into Europe.

When did the Safavid Empire exist?

1501-1736

Who founded the Safavid Empire and what was its distinguishing religious characteristic?

Ismail I, Shia Islamic rather than Sunni.

When did the Mughal Empire exist?

1526-1761

Who founded the Mughal Empire and how?

Babur, a descendent of Tamerlane, conquered Northern India using gunpowder.

Who was Akbar and what was he known for?

An important ruler of the Mughal Empire who supported multiple religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity, and consolidated power by promoting tolerance.

Where did the Sikhism religion originate?

Punjab, India around 1500

What values are associated with the Sikhism religion?

equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions

Why did the Gunpowder Empires decline?

Failure to modernize their economy and military in comparison to the Europeans.

When did the Russian Empire exist?

1721 to 1917

Who was Ivan IV and what was he known for?

Also known as Ivan the Terrible became the first Tsar in 1547. He expanded Russia further east into Mongolian territory using gunpowder.

What was the Tokugawa Shogunate?

A period of centralization and peace in Japan from 1603-1868.

What were the methods of consolidating power used by European kings?

Control over taxation, military, and religion, along with expanding bureaucracy.

What was the Renaissance?

A rebirth of Roman and Greek ideals, with an emphasis on humanism and individualism, funded by the Medici family, approximately c.1300-c.1600

What replaced the Yuan Dynasty in China and when?

Ming Dynasty in 1368

When was the Qing Dynasty established and by whom?

1636 by Manchu Jurchens

How did Emperor Kang Xi expand Chinese territory?

Using gunpowder to expand into Taiwan, Mongolia, Central Asia, and Tibet.

What is the Divine Right of Kings?

The belief that God puts rulers in power, making the king a vice regent of God himself, granting them absolute authority.

Who were the Justices of the Peace and where were they used?

Officials used by the Tudor Dynasty in England to settle legal disputes and carry out the will of the monarch.

What was the significance of the English Bill of Rights passed in 1689?

It provided freedom to petition and protections from cruel and unusual punishment, limiting the power of the monarchy.

What is Absolutism?

A monarchical system giving absolute power to the king, exemplified by Louis XIV in France.

What was the Devshirme system used by the Ottomans?

A system of taking enslaved people from tribute states, educating them, and employing them in the military or administration.

Who were the Janissaries?

Elite military corps of the Ottoman Empire, recruited from the Devshirme system.

What did the Ming Dynasty do to remove traces of Mongol rule?

Reintroduced the civil service exam and strengthened bureaucracy.

Who were the daimyo in Japan?

Landowning aristocracy who employed samurai for protection during Japan's feudal period.

How did Tokugawa Ieyasu consolidate power in Japan?

By moving power from the daimyo to the shogun and requiring daimyo to live in the capital city of Tokyo.

Who were the Zamindars in the Mughal Empire?

Officials who collected taxes and settled disputes as administrative power.

How did rulers legitimize power through religion, art, and architecture?

Examples include Askia the Great claiming Islam as the official religion in the Songhai Empire, Shah Jahan commissioning the Taj Mahal, and Louis XIV building the Palace at Versailles.

What are the main beliefs of Hinduism?

Polytheistic, cycle of reincarnation, and reaching spiritual liberation.

What is the Bhakti Movement?

A spiritual and social movement in India emphasizing a personal relationship with a deity, influencing Indian music and literature.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The core beliefs and practices of Islam.

What is Sufism?

A mystic belief system within Islam emphasizing a closer relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and brotherhood.

What is Sikhism?

A syncretic religion combining Islam and Hinduism, emphasizing equality and social justice, developed in the Punjab region.

What are the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path associated with?

Buddhism

What are the differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?

Theravada emphasizes meditation and simplicity, while Mahayana emphasizes spreading the faith.

When and what was the Protestant Reformation?

16th century, a challenge to the authority and corruption of the Pope.

Who was Martin Luther and what did he do?

A German monk who published the Ninety-Five Theses and translated the Bible to German.

Who was John Calvin and what did he believe?

A reformer from France who believed that God had already chosen people's futures (predestination).

What were the results of the Protestant Reformation?

Created protestant churches and contributed to the development of nation-states and democratization.

What was the Counter-Reformation?

Catholics’ attempt to gain back followers, including the establishment of the Jesuits and holding the Council of Trent.

What are the key principles of Confucianism?

Social harmony, filial piety, authority, and tradition.

Which empires in the Americas used previously existing religions?

Aztec and Inca Empires.

What were common religious practices in the Aztec and Inca Empires?

Worship of the sun and moon, with human sacrifice being more prevalent in the Aztec Empire.

Which land-based empire was founded in South Asia by a Muslim dynasty of Chagatai Turco-Mongol origin?

Mughal Empire

Which land-based empire, ruled by Sunni Islamic Turks, reached its peak in the 1500s and 1600s?

Ottoman Empire

Which land-based empire, centered in modern-day Iran, was founded by Ismail I and practiced Shia Islam?

Safavid Empire

Which land-based empire, located in West Africa with its capital in Gao, declined due to internal conflicts and Moroccan invasions?

Songhai Empire

Which land-based empire was the world’s largest country by land area?

Russian Empire

Which land-based empire, established by the Han Chinese, finished the Great Wall and constructed the Forbidden City?

Ming Empire

Which land-based empire was founded by the Manchu people and experienced significant economic, social, and cultural development?

Qing Empire

Which land-based empire in South America was known for its advanced system of government and impressive architectural achievements?

Incan Empire

Which land-based empire in central Mexico was known for its sophisticated government system, elaborate ceremonies, and human sacrifices?

Aztec (Mexica) Empire

Which land-based empire in Japan was led by the Tokugawa family and characterized by political stability and economic growth?

Tokugawa Japan

Which maritime empire was the largest in history with territories on every continent?

British Empire

Which maritime empire, centered in Spain, ruled over a large portion of the world and was distinguished by its powerful centralized government?

Spanish Empire

Which maritime empire ruled over a significant portion of the world, including territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas?

Portuguese Empire

Which maritime empire, centered in France, was characterized by a centralized government and a vast network of trade and colonization?

French Empire

Which maritime empire, centered in the Netherlands, had territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia?

Dutch Empire

What are the key differences in how land-based and maritime empires derived power and wealth?

Land-based empires derived power and wealth from agriculture and profitable trade routes within their territories, while maritime empires derived power and wealth from overseas trade and colonies.

What are some examples of religious justification used by land-based empires to legitimize their rule?

French and English empires used the Divine Right of Kings, China used the Mandate of Heaven, and the Songhai Empire used Songhai Islam.

What are some examples of military elites used by land-based empires to maintain power?

The Ottoman Empire used the Devshirme system, and Japan used samurai.

How were social hierarchies based on race/culture in empires like the Qing Dynasty and Spanish Empire?

The Qing Dynasty had restrictive policies on Han Chinese, and the Spanish Empire used the casta system.

How did the Millet system in the Ottoman Empire create religious social hierarchies?

The Islamic zone was highest, and other zones were free to practice their own religion.

What are the trading post and colonial empires?

Trading Post Empires: Portuguese in Africa/India, Dutch in Southeast Asia; Colonial Empires: French, British, Spanish in North America; Spanish in South America