APWH UNIT 1

Which two major events helped European monarchs consolidate power after 1450?

The Plague weakened feudal lords, and the Renaissance strengthened central states.

Which empire’s decline created room for new land empires?

The Mongol Empire.

Which peoples migrated and formed new states after the Mongols?

Turkic peoples.

What are the main Gunpowder Empires?

Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing (China).

What technology gave land-based empires an advantage?

Gunpowder weapons such as cannons and guns.

Give an example of gunpowder changing warfare.

The Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453 using cannons to break walls.

List three methods empires used to expand and control trade.

1) Gunpowder weapons, 2) Using conquered peoples, 3) Controlling trade routes.

How did empires use monumental architecture to show power?

They built palaces, mosques, tombs, and cities like the Taj Mahal, Versailles, and Forbidden City.

How did empires use religion to legitimize power?

They supported state religions, built religious sites, and claimed divine support.

What years did the Ottoman Empire last (in this unit)?

1453–1917.

Who held absolute power in the Ottoman Empire?

The Sultan.

What was the Grand Vizier’s role?

Second in power, oversaw administration and bureaucracy.

What was the Devshirme system?

Taking Christian boys from the Balkans, converting them, and training them as administrators or Janissaries.

Who were the Janissaries?

Elite Ottoman soldiers loyal to the Sultan, trained with firearms.

What was the Ottoman Warrior Aristocracy?

Landholding cavalry who collected taxes and served militarily.

What role did the Ottoman Navy play?

Protected trade and territory, but later fell behind European navies.

What religion was the Ottoman majority?

Sunni Islam.

Who were the Dhimmi?

Jews and Christians (People of the Book) who paid jizya but had religious toleration.

What was the Millet System?

Allowed religious communities to govern their own courts and affairs.

What famous church did the Ottomans turn into a mosque?

The Hagia Sophia.

Name a major Ottoman mosque built in Istanbul.

The Suleymaniye Mosque.

How was Ottoman trade regulated?

The state set standards, taxed trade, and supported guilds.

What were key Ottoman industries?

Carpet manufacturing, textiles, ceramics.

Name three major Ottoman cities.

Istanbul, Damascus, Aleppo, Cairo.

What social features defined Ottoman cities?

Cosmopolitan centers, merchant/artisan middle class, dhimmi autonomy.

What were two major social/economic institutions in Ottoman cities?

Bazaars (markets) and coffee houses.

When did the Safavid Empire exist?

1501–1722.

What religion defined the Safavid Empire?

Shi’a Islam, creating a unique Persian identity.

What title did Safavid rulers hold?

Shah (absolute ruler).

Who supervised mosques under Safavid rule?

Mullahs, controlled by the state.

Who was Shah Abbas I?

Ruler from 1587–1629, expanded trade, strengthened military, promoted culture.

What were Safavid architectural achievements?

Mosques with colorful domes and minarets symbolizing 'heaven on earth.'

What goods drove Safavid economy?

Silk, textiles, ceramics, Persian carpets.

Who did the Safavids trade with?

China, Portuguese, Dutch, English through Indian Ocean networks.

When did the Mughal Empire exist?

1526–1858.

Who founded the Mughal Empire?

Babur (1483–1530).

Name four major Mughal rulers after Babur.

Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb.

What did Akbar do to strengthen the Mughal state?

Centralized administration, allied with Hindu princes, mixed Hindu-Muslim bureaucracy.

What tax did Akbar abolish to promote tolerance?

The jizya (head tax on non-Muslims).

What was Din-i Ilahi?

Akbar’s attempt at a new syncretic religion combining Hindu, Muslim, and other beliefs.

What new religion appeared in India in the 1500s?

Sikhism (founded in Northern India).

Name two Mughal monuments.

The Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

What styles did Mughal architecture blend?

Persian and Indian (Hindu) styles.

What was the Mughal economy’s strength?

Indian cotton textiles (cottage industry) traded across the Indian Ocean.

Which European company later dominated Indian trade?

The British East India Company.

Why was governing Mughal India challenging?

It was multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and culturally diverse.

Why was the Battle of Lepanto (1571) important?

First major Ottoman naval defeat by Christian Europe; limited Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean.

List reasons for Ottoman decline.

Corruption, sultans became secluded, failure to reform, peasant revolts, weakening Janissaries.

List reasons for Safavid decline.

Influx of silver causing inflation, Afghan invasion of Isfahan (1722), succession problems.

What happened to the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb?

It fragmented from succession wars, rebellions, invasions, and European influence.

How did gunpowder weapons change empire power?

Allowed rulers to capture walled cities and dominate rivals.

Why did empires incorporate conquered peoples?

To gain loyal soldiers/administrators and reduce resistance.

Give an example of incorporating local elites.

Akbar allying with Hindu princes and promoting them in the Mughal court.

What role did trade routes play in empires?

They brought wealth, tax revenue, and control over commerce.

How did monumental art/architecture serve rulers?

It displayed wealth, legitimacy, and cultural dominance.

Name examples of monumental architecture mentioned.

Taj Mahal, Versailles Palace, Forbidden City, Hagia Sophia mosque.

What were common causes of empire decline?

Inflation, succession crises, corruption, military stagnation, rebellions, foreign invasions, European competition.