Heimler's History Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

Flashcards covering the expansion, administration, and belief systems of land-based empires c. 1450-1750.

Ottoman Empire Expansion (14th Century)

Expanded through gunpowder weapons, controlling Southwestern Europe and Anatolia, including Constantinople (renamed Istanbul in 1453). They enslaved Christians, converted them to Islam, and created the Janissaries.

Safavid Empire Expansion (16th Century)

Expanded by raiding and conquering territories using gunpowder weapons. Shah Abbas built up the military with gunpowder weapons and created an enslaved army from the Caucasus region.

Devshirme System

The enslavement of Christian boys in the Ottoman Empire, who were converted to Islam and trained for the Janissaries or the bureaucracy.

Mughal Empire Expansion (16th Century)

Babur, the first leader, defeated the Delhi Sultanate using gunpowder weapons. Emperor Akbar legitimized rule by showing tolerance to the Hindu majority.

Safavid-Mughal Conflict

Wars fought over lands in modern Afghanistan. The Safavids were Shi'a Muslims, and the Mughals were Sunni, adding a religious dimension to the conflict.

Ottoman-Safavid Conflict

The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims, and the Safavids were Shi'a Muslims. The conflict started as a political divide over the succession after Muhammad's death.

Legitimizing Power

The methods rulers use to establish their authority.

Consolidating Power

The methods rulers employ to transfer power from other groups to themselves

Bureaucracy

Includes thousands of government officials who ensure laws are kept throughout the empire.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that kings were God's representatives on Earth, used by European monarchs to legitimize their rule.

Qing Dynasty's Use of Art

Portrayed themselves in portraits with books to suggest Confucian wisdom to appeal to the Han Chinese population.

Monumental Architecture

Rulers used monumental architecture, such as the Inca Sun Temple of Cuzco and the Palace of Versailles, to legitimize and consolidate their rule.

Zamindar System

A tax-collection system in the Mughal Empire where elite landowners (zamindars) were authorized to tax peasants on behalf of the government.

Tax-farming

A system used by the Ottomans where the right to collect taxes from subjects was sold.

Aztec Tribute Lists

The Aztec Empire forced conquered regions to send them goods listed out for them.

Selling Indulgences

The practice where people paid money for the forgiveness of sins, a grievance that led to the Protestant Reformation.

Protestant Reformation

A Christian movement that spurred from grievances with the Roman Catholic Church which led to new protestant churches.

Catholic Reformation

A reform within the Catholic Church with the Council of Trent to clean up corruption but retaining major beliefs.

Shah Ismail

Safavid leader who declared the Safavid Empire a Shi'a Islamic state, intensifying the split between Sunni and Shi'a Islam.

Sikhism

A syncretic blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines that developed in South Asia, advocating belief in a single God and radical equality.