Gunpowder Empire

Study guide

​​What’s the devshirme system?

A system where Christian boys were taken, educated, converted to Islam, and trained to serve as soldiers (janissaries) or government officials loyal to the sultan.

Major religion of Ottomans?

Sunni Islam.

How did the conquest of Constantinople impact Europe and the Ottoman Empire?

It ended the Byzantine Empire, gave the Ottomans control of key trade routes, and pushed Europeans to seek new trade paths.

Who were janissaries?

Elite Ottoman soldiers trained through the devshirme system, known for using firearms and artillery.

What geographic advantages helped the Ottomans control trade routes?

Control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, fertile lands in Anatolia, and access to Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Millet System and its effect:

Allowed religious minorities to govern themselves under Ottoman oversight, promoting tolerance but reinforcing social hierarchies.

What were the consequences of imprisoning Ottoman princes?

Princes lacked real-world experience, leading to weak leadership and contributing to the empire’s decline.

What was the significance of Suleiman the Magnificent’s reign?

He expanded the empire, reformed laws, and supported cultural and architectural achievements.

What were the major cultural and architectural achievements of the Ottomans?

Construction of mosques like the Süleymaniye Mosque, blending Islamic and Byzantine styles.

What factors contributed to the long-term decline of the Ottoman Empire?

Resistance to military modernization, loss of trade revenue, weak leadership, and internal corruption.

Safavid Empire

What was the origin and purpose of the gholam system?

Created to train Christian boys as loyal soldiers and officials for the shah, independent of tribal loyalties.

What was the majority religion in the Safavid Empire?

Shia Islam

What products helped grow the Safavid economy?

Persian silk and carpets, traded across Asia and Europe.

What policies led to the decline of the Safavid Empire?

Imprisoning princes, corruption, aristocratic rebellions, and external invasions.

How did the Safavid Empire manage religious differences within and outside its borders?

Enforced Shia Islam and persecuted Sunnis, leading to internal and external tensions.

Mughal Empire

Who founded the Mughal Empire?

Babur.

Describe Akbar the Great’s rule and religious tolerance:

Reformed taxes, married a Hindu princess, allowed Hindu practices, and supported cultural growth.

How did Shah Jahan’s building projects affect the empire’s economy?

Drained imperial finances, increased taxes, and worsened poverty.

What buildings were built under Shah Jahan?

The Taj Mahal and other architectural projects.

What were contributions of Mughal art and architecture?

Miniature paintings, textiles, and monumental buildings like the Taj Mahal.

What were the dominant religions in the Mughal Empire?

Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism.

What were the causes of the Mughal Empire’s decline?

Economic hardship, religious intolerance, succession conflicts, and military overreach.

Label the Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid Empire:

Ottoman:

Anatolia, Balkans, North Africa, Middle East

Safavid:

Persia

Mughal:

Indian subcontinent

What is a gunpowder empire?

An empire that used gunpowder weapons (firearms and artillery) to expand and maintain control.

Ming Dynasty

What did the Ming Dynasty export? How did Europeans pay?

Silk and porcelain and Europeans paid in silver and gold since the Ming felt they had nothing of value

Why did the Ming Dynasty decline?

Due to internal conflicts, high taxes, cold weather that caused crop failure, and the 1630 epidemic

What are foreign enclaves?

A piece of land surrounded by a foreign territory; had enclaves for foreigners to trade such as Macao