AP World History Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

Qing Dynasty of China

The last imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Ming Dynasty and succeeded by the People's Republic. Formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. Founded in 1644 by the Manchus and ruled China for more than 260 years, until 1912. Expanded China's borders to include Taiwan, Tibet, Chinese Central Asia, and Mongolia.

Manchus

Northeast Asian nomads who defeated the Ming Dynasty and founded the Qing Dynasty in 1644, which was the last of China's imperial dynasties.

Mughal Empire

Muslim state (1526-1857) exercising dominion over most of India in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Ottoman Empire

Islamic state founded by Osman in northwestern Anatolia. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire was based at Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) from 1453-1922. It encompassed lands in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, and eastern Europe.

Safavids

A Shi'ite Muslim dynasty that ruled in Persia (Iran and parts of Iraq) from the 16th-18th centuries that had a mixed culture of the Persians, Ottomans and Arabs.

Songhai

a West African empire that conquered Mali and controlled trade from the into the 16th century; eventually defeated by the Moroccans who were broke after fighting with Portugal

Devshirme

Selection' in Turkish. The system by which boys from Christian communities were taken by the Ottoman state to serve as Janissaries (elite military units utilized by the Ottomans)

Janissary

elite Ottoman guard (trained as foot soldiers or administrators) recruited from the Christian population through the devshirme system, that often converted to Islam

Divine Right

the idea that monarchs are God's representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God. (Used in medieval Europe)

Absolute Monarchy

A system of government in which the head of state is a hereditary position and the king or queen has almost complete power

Palace of Versailles

Palace constructed by Louis XIV outside of Paris to glorify his rule and subdue the nobility.

Zamindars

Archaic tax system of the Mughal empire where decentralized lords collected tribute for the emperor.

Taj Mahal

beautiful mausoleum (tomb) at Agra (India) built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (completed in 1649) in memory of his favorite wife; illustrates syncretic blend between Indian and Arabic architectural styles

Tax farming

To generate money for territorial expansion Ottoman rulers used this tax-collection system. Under this system the government hires private individuals to go out and collect taxes for them.

Protestant Reformation

Religious reform movement begun by Catholic monk Martin Luther who began to question the practices of the Latin Christian Church beginning in 1519. It spit the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the 'protesters' forming several new Christian denominations, including the Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican Churches, among many others.

95 Theses

Arguments written by Martin Luther against the Catholic church. They were posted on October 31, 1517; ultimately led to Martin Luther's excommunication

Martin Luther

a German monk who became one of the most famous critics of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1517, he wrote 95 theses, or statements of belief attacking the church practices. Began the Protestant Reformation

Counter or Catholic Reformation

the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church to the Reformation reaffirming the veneration of saints and the authority of the Pope (to which Protestants objected), ended sale of indulgences and simony, created Jesuits, but also the Inquisition

Indulgence

A pardon given by the Roman Catholic Church in return for repentance for sins

Simony

the buying and selling of church offices

Thirty Years War

(1618-1648 CE) War within the Holy Roman Empire between German Protestants and their allies (Sweden, Denmark, France) and the emperor and his ally, Spain who supported Roman Catholicism; ended in 1648 after great destruction with Treaty of Westphalia; indicates the effects of the Protestant Reformation

Sikhism

the doctrines of a monotheistic religion founded in northern India in the 16th century by Guru Nanak and combining elements of Hinduism and Islam; a result of the presence of the Mughal Empire in India

Shogunate

The Japanese system of government under a shogun (military warlord), who exercised actual power while the emperor was reduced to a figurehead.

Byzantine Empire

(330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople - Now named Istanbul

Shia Islam

The sect of Islam practiced primarily in Persia (Practiced in Safavid Empire)

Sunni Islam

Most Muslims are of this denomination of Islam (Practiced in Ottoman Empire and Mughal Empire)

Taj Mahal

A beautiful tomb built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan to honor his wife.

Smallpox

A highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, weakness, and skin eruption with pustules that form scabs; responsible for killing Native Americans.

Mita System

a tribute system to the Inca government in the form of labor, public service was required in community-driven projects such as the building of their extensive road network

Hagia Sophia

Most famous example of Byzantine architecture, it was built under Justinian I and is considered one of the most perfect buildings in the world. Converted into a Mosque by the Ottomans.

Aztec Tribute System

Brought much-needed food and sacrificial victims into the empire.

Mandate of Heaven

The Chinese belief that emperors ruled with divine approval, but could be overthrown if they lost virtue.

Millet System

In the Ottoman Empire, the millet system granted religious minorities (Christians, Jews, etc.) autonomy to govern themselves, manage internal affairs, and collect taxes, fostering social stability and preventing potential rebellions