Studied by 3 people
How did the Ottoman Empire expand starting in the 14th century
The adoption of gunpowder weapons led the Ottomans to control much of Southwestern Europe and Anatolia, including Constantinople which they took in 1453 and renamed Istanbul.
The Ottomans enslaved Christians from the Balkans, converted them to Christianity and turned them into the best elite fighting force, the Janissaries. This helped them to keep expanding
How did the Safavid Empire expand starting in the 16th century?
They raided and conquered neighboring territories using gunpowder weapons.
Shah Abbas built up the military with gunpowder weapons and created an enslaved army composed of Christians from the Caucasus region
What difference led to problems between the Ottomans and Safavids?
The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims and the Safavids were Shi’a Muslims. The difference began as a political divide over who should rule after the death of Muhammad. Both branches eventually believed they were the true representatives of Islam and the other was not.
How did the Mughal Empire expand starting in the 16th century?
Babur, the first leader of the Mughal Empire, defeated the Delhi Sultanate in South Asia.
This started the expansion of the empire with gunpowder weapons. Emperor Akbar helped to legitimize Mughal rule by showing tolerance to the Hindu majority
What was the SafavidMughal Conflict about?
This was a series of wars fought over lands in modern Afghanistan. The lands were originally controlled by the Mughals, but when the Safavids took control the Mughals could not get them back. The Safavids were Shi’a Muslims and the Mughals were Sunni. So while the fight was over land, there was a religious aspect to it as well.
What does it mean to legitimize and consolidate power?
Legitimizing power refers to the methods rulers use to establish their authority.
Consolidating power is the method rulers use to transfer power from other groups to themselves
How did rulers use bureaucracies to consolidate their power?
Bureaucracies include thousands of government officials who ensure laws are kept throughout the empire.
How did the Ottomans create a loyal bureaucracy?
The Devshirme system was used to staff their bureaucracy. This began with the enslavement and conversion of Christian boys from the Balkans but also included education and training in Istanbul. The best were appointed to elite positions in the Ottoman bureaucracy. Their extensive education led them to be excellent and loyal bureaucrats. This also led to the creation of the Janissaries.
What religious belief helped European monarchs to legitimize their power in this era?
The Divine Right of Kings was the idea that kings were God’s representatives on Earth. This greatly helped to legitimize their rule.
How did the Qing Dynasty use art to help legitimize their rule?
Because the Qing were Manchu, not Han Chinese like the majority of people in China, they portrayed themselves in portraits with books to suggest Confucian wisdom which would appeal to the Han Chinese population.
What are some examples of rulers using monumental architecture to legitimize and consolidate their rule?
The Inca built the Sun Temple of Cuzco with walls covered in gold, and courtyards filled with golden statues. This helped the people to associate their rulers with the gods.
In France, Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles which showed his power. He also forced the French nobility to live in his palace so he could keep an eye on them. This helped to transfer their previously held power to the King.
What are some examples of rulers using innovative tax-collection systems to generate revenue to forward state power and expansion?
The Mughal Empire used the Zamindar System. Zamindars were elite landowners who were given the authority to tax peasants living on their land on behalf of the imperial government. The zamindars eventually became corrupt, but the system worked for a while.
The Ottomans used tax-farming. They sold the right to collect taxes from their subjects.
The Aztec Empire used tribute lists. They forced conquered regions to send them goods that they listed out for them.
How did Christianity in Europe show change and continuity c. 1450-1750 CE?
The Roman Catholic Church had become corrupt. Some people practiced simony, the buying of Church offices. But more importantly, the widespread practice of selling indulgences began. This means that people were told they could pay money for their sins to be forgiven. A reformer named Martin Luther found that these practices were not in the Bible and created a list of grievances called the 95 Theses. These ideas spread quickly due to the printing press and led to a new Christian movement called the Protestant Reformation and the creation of protestant churches.
The Catholic Church initiated a Catholic Reformation with the Council of Trent to clean up corruption. They kept their major beliefs
How did the Ottoman Safavid Rivalry lead to the deepening of the split between Sunni and Shi’a Islam?
Safavid leader Shah Ismail declared that the Safavid Empire would be a Shi’a Islamic state. Sunni Muslims in the empire were publicly executed and the Safavid military cursed the first three caliphs to follow Muhammad as illegitimate rulers of the Muslim people.
What was Sikhism and how did it develop?
Sikhism was a syncretic blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines. These religions had lived side by side in South Asia for centuries. Sikhism adopted the belief in a single God from Islam and the cycle of reincarnation after death from Hinduism.
Sikhism also got rid of gender hierarchies and the caste system, opting for radical equality.
Note 
Flashcard (70)