Unit Three Review: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from the period of land-based empires from 1450 to 1750, including their expansions, administrative strategies, and belief systems.

Land Based Empire

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

Ottoman Empire

A significant land-based empire that expanded rapidly from the 14th century, known for its use of gunpowder weapons and the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Safavid Empire

A land-based empire in the Middle East, founded in the 16th century, notable for creating an elite military force from conquered Christians and being a Shia Muslim state.

Mughal Empire

A land-based empire that ruled South and Central Asia from the 16th century, established by Babur, recognized for its gunpowder weaponry and Akbar's religious tolerance.

Qing Dynasty

Also known as the Manchu Empire, this dynasty rose in the 17th century after the fall of the Ming, expanding its territory with the help of gunpowder weapons.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire, often recruited from enslaved Christians who were converted to Islam.

Gunpowder Weapons

Firearms that were a pivotal technology for military expansion among land-based empires during the period of 1450-1750.

Bureaucracy

A system of government employed by empires that includes numerous officials responsible for enforcing laws and governing effectively.

Divine Right of Kings

A political doctrine in which monarchs are considered to be God's representatives on earth.

Zamindar System

A tax collection system used in the Mughal Empire wherein elite landowners were given authority to tax peasants.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517, leading to a split from the Catholic Church.

Sikhism

A syncretic religion that blends elements of both Hinduism and Islam, emerging in South Asia during this period.

Sunni vs Shia Islam

The two main branches of Islam, with Sunnis supporting any capable leader as Muhammad's successor, and Shia believing that only Muhammad's relatives are legitimate successors.

Simony

The practice of buying ecclesiastical positions, which contributed to the corruption within the Catholic Church by the 15th century.

Council of Trent

A series of meetings held by the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation aimed at addressing and reforming corruption.