Untitled Flashcards Set

Gunpowder Empires

Large, multiethnic states in Southwest, Central, and South Asia utilizing firearms for conquest.

Key Empires of Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Russia.

Spread of Gunpowder

Originated in China and spread via trade routes, influencing military practices.

Ottoman Empire Peak

Reached its height under Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566).

Significant Naval Expansions of the Ottoman Empire

Included control over Tripoli and attempts to conquer Vienna.

Safavid Empire Founder

Founded by Ismail in 1501 after conquering Persia and pushing into Iraq.

Religious Conflict in Safavid Empire

Promoted Shi'a Islam, leading to conflict with Sunni Ottomans.

Mughal Empire Establishment

Established by Babur in the 1520s during India's political disarray.

Akbar's Achievements

Known for prosperity and religious tolerance in the Mughal Empire.

Qing Dynasty Establishment

Established in 1644 after the fall of the Ming Dynasty.

Europe's Role in Expansion (1450-1750)

Transition from medieval to early modern period marked by rise of new monarchies.

Ivan IV's Role in Russia's Expansion

Expanded borders using gunpowder after being crowned tsar in 1547.

Ottoman Decline Causes

Weak sultans and internal strife leading to military defeats.

Safavid Decline Factors

Ineffectual leaders, economic challenges, and territorial losses.

Mughal Decline Contributors

Aurangzeb’s intolerant policies and military overreach.

Centralization of Power Methods

Control of taxes, military, and religion through bureaucracies.

Divine Right of Kings

Monarchs are God's representatives, making them above earthly laws.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Ensured individual liberties and required Parliament's consent on taxation.

Absolute Monarchy Example

Louis XIV centralized power, famously declaring 'L'etat, c'est moi.'

Devshirme System

Recruited Christian boys for military and bureaucratic roles in the Ottoman Empire.

Ming and Qing Dynasties' Governance

Restored civil service exams and bureaucracies.

Akbar's Government Structure

Established a centralized government with zamindars for tax collection.

Architecture's Role in Legitimizing Power

Grand structures symbolize authority and stability of rulers.

Tax Farming Issues

Led to corruption and economic decline in the Ottoman and Mughal empires.

Impact of Religion in Empires

Religion served as both a unifying and divisive force in empire expansion.

Christianity's Dominance in Europe

Splintered into various factions, causing significant historical changes.

Henry IV of France's Conversion

Converted to Catholicism in 1593 for power consolidation and peace.

Protestant Reformation Initiators

Critiques of Church practices led by figures like Martin Luther.

Council of Trent

Held by the Catholic Church to address abuses and reaffirm doctrines.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

Initially a religious conflict that evolved into a broader European conflict.

Sixteenth Century Religious Conflicts

Peace of Augsburg allowed German states to choose their religion.

Islamic Law in Ottoman Empire

Establishment of shariah law post-1453 conquest of Constantinople.

Religious Tolerance in the Mughal Empire

Promoted by Akbar, who encouraged cultural exchanges.

Shi'a Islamic Conflict

Fostered conflict with Sunni Ottoman forces in the Safavid Empire.

Tokugawa Shogunate's Control Mechanism

Unified Japan by controlling daimyo through residency requirements.

Economic Issues in Qing Dynasty

Faced challenges such as rebellions and limited trading privileges.

Military Overreach in Mughal Empire

Resulted from Aurangzeb’s policies leading to instability.

Ming Dynasty's Tax Collection Method

Employing wealthy families for tax collection but facing bankruptcy.

Caste System's Influence in Mughal Society

Affected the social structure and wealth generation from trade.

Impact of Early Reformers

John Wycliffe and Jan Hus advocated for reforms in the Catholic Church.

Sikhism's Origins

Emerging as a blend of Hindu and Sufi beliefs.

Anglicanism's Establishment

King Henry VIII's break with Rome to annul his marriage.

Peter the Great's Church Reforms

Abolished the patriarch position, integrating the Church with the state.

Counter-Reformation Strategies

Increased Inquisition use and founded Jesuits for missionary work.