AP World History Unit 3 Review

Vocabulary flashcards for AP World History Unit 3 (1450-1750), focusing on land-based empires, their expansion, administration, and belief systems.

Land Based Empire

An empire whose power comes from the extent of its territorial holdings.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful empire founded in the 14th century that expanded rapidly due to the adoption of gunpowder weapons; conquered Constantinople in 1453.

Janissaries

An elite fighting force in the Ottoman army, composed of enslaved Christians from conquered regions who were converted to Islam.

Safavid Empire

An empire in the Middle East founded in the 16th century, known for its rapid expansion using gunpowder weapons and an elite enslaved army.

Sunni Muslims

A branch of Islam believing that the rightful successor of Muhammad could be anyone spiritually fit for the office.

Shia Muslims

A branch of Islam believing that only blood relatives of Muhammad were his legitimate successors.

Mughal Empire

An empire in South and Central Asia established in the 16th century after Babur conquered the Delhi Sultanate; known for its rapid expansion using gunpowder weapons.

Akbar

A ruler of the Mughal Empire known for his tolerance of all kinds of belief systems.

Qing Dynasty (Manchu Empire)

A dynasty established by the Manchu people after the Ming dynasty weakened; expanded through military conquests using gunpowder weapons.

Legitimize Power

The methods a ruler uses to establish their authority.

Consolidate Power

The methods a ruler uses to transfer power from other groups to themselves.

Bureaucracy

Thousands of government officials that ensure laws are kept throughout the empire.

Devshirme System

A system used by the Ottomans to staff their bureaucracy with highly trained individuals, often involving enslaved Christians converted to Islam.

Divine Right of Kings

A religious belief used by European monarchs to legitimize their authority by claiming they were God's representative on Earth.

Zamindar System

A system employed by the Mughal Empire where elite landowners were granted authority to tax peasants on their land on behalf of the government.

Ottoman Tax Farming System

A system where the right to tax subjects of the Ottoman Empire was awarded to the highest bidder.

Aztec Tribute Lists

Lists used by Aztec rulers to generate revenue for their empire by requiring conquered places to send specific goods as tribute.

Simony

The practice of buying one's way into positions of ecclesiastical power in the Roman Catholic Church.

Indulgences

The practice of the Catholic church selling forgiveness of sins to finance building projects.

Martin Luther

A Catholic monk who challenged the practices of the Catholic Church, leading to the Protestant Reformation.

95 Theses

A list of complaints written by Martin Luther and nailed to the door of a church in Wittenberg.

Protestant Reformation

A massive split in the Christian church in Europe caused by disagreement over the practices of the Catholic Church.

Council of Trent

A series of meetings in which the Catholic Church addressed complaints by the Protestants and initiated their own reforms.

Sikhism

A syncretic blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines that developed in South Asia.