Empires, Exploration, and Global Trade

Ottoman Empire

A Sunni Muslim land empire that expanded using gunpowder weapons and a strong military.

Safavid Empire

A Shi’a Muslim empire in Persia, known for its conflict with the Sunni Ottoman Empire.

Mughal Empire

A Muslim empire in India that ruled over a mainly Hindu population with diverse religious policies.

Akbar

Mughal ruler known for his practice of religious tolerance and inclusion of Hindus in government.

Aurangzeb

Mughal ruler who reduced religious tolerance, increasing tensions between Muslims and Hindus.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires like the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal that expanded and maintained power through firearms and cannons.

Empire Legitimacy

The use of religion, monuments, art, and military success to justify a ruler's right to govern.

Maritime Empire

Empires that gained power through naval technology, overseas colonies, and long-distance trade.

Portuguese Empire

Empire that established trading posts throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean to control trade routes.

Spanish Empire

Empire that conquered large parts of the Americas and gained wealth from silver, agriculture, and labor.

Conquistadors

Spanish conquerors like Cortés and Pizarro who defeated native empires using military technology and alliances.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and the Eastern Hemisphere.

Disease in the Americas

European diseases like smallpox that caused Indigenous population decline, facilitating conquest.

Columbian Exchange Population Growth

Introduction of American crops, such as potatoes and maize, that led to population growth in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Mercantilism

An economic system where governments control colonies and trade to boost the wealth of the mother country.

Joint-Stock Companies

Companies funded by multiple investors to mitigate financial risks and expand overseas trade.

Silver Trade

The trading of silver mined in Spanish America, critical to global commerce linking the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

China and Silver

The strong demand for silver in China drove American silver into Asian trade networks.

Potosí

Major Spanish silver-mining center in South America, significant to the global economy.