AP World History Unit 3 vocab

gunpowder

Invented within China during the 9th century, this substance became the dominant military technology used to expand European and Asian empires by the 15th century.

bureaucratic elites

many land-based empires use military professionals and other elites to maintain control over their populations and resources examples: Ottoman Janissaries

centralized control

the goal of most governments in the fifteenth centuries was to exert this over their empires, enabling them to effectively tax and govern their diverse populations

Monumental architecture

architectural constructions of a greater-than-human scale, such as pyramids, temples, and tombs; used by land based empires to legitimize the ruler or ruling dynasty

tribute collection

land based empires used different ways to extract money and services from their populations; an example is the devshirme

Tax farming

To generate money for territorial expansion several land-based empires rulers used this tax-collection system. Under this system the government hires private individuals to go out and collect taxes for them.

Protestant reformation

A European religious schism in the sixteenth century in which Martin Luther led a call for reform, and then ultimately to break from the Catholic Church. This created significant religious conflict within Europe.

Sunni-Shi’a split

the religious schism within Islam that occurred during the seventh century. This schism played a role in the conflicts between the so-called "gunpowder empires" of the Middle East. The religious division exists to this day.

Sikhism

Indian religion founded by the Guru Nanak (1469-1539) in the Punjab region of northwest India. This was a critical religious syncretism during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Devshirme

The tribute of boy children that the Ottoman Turks levied from their Christian subjects in the Balkans; the Ottomans raised the boys for service in the civil administration or in the elite Janissary infantry corps.

Constantinople

City founded as the second capital of the Roman Empire; later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century, it transformed into the city of Istanbul, the new heart of the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan

Military and political leader with absolute authority over a Muslim country

Suleiman the Magnificent

The most illustrious sultan of the Ottoman Empire (r. 1520-1566); also known as 'The Lawgiver.' He significantly expanded the empire in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean.

Janissaries

Christian boys taken from families, converted to Islam, and then rigorously trained to serve the sultan

Shi’ite

A follower of the Shi'a branch of Islam

Ismail I

Was the founder of the Safavid dynasty of Iran, ruling from 1501 to 23 May 1524 as shah (king)

Shah

Persian word for king

Abbas I

Shah (king) of Persian Empire that regained all lost territory, built new capital, and encouraged the arts.

Manchu

Northeast Asian peoples who defeated the Ming Dynasty and founded the Qing Dynasty in 1644, which was the last of China's imperial dynasties.

Qing imperial portraits

were used to show power, status and influence in China; part of how the Manchu demonstrated their legitimacy to rule

state-sponsored trade

trade that is directed and supported by the state

The Kangxi Emperor

5th emperor of the Qing dynasty. Longest ruling emperor in China's history [61 years]
During his reign China's stability and wealth returned after many years of war. Expanded China's territories to include Manchuria, Vietnam, Russia's Far Eastern land, Mongolia, Tibet, and Taiwan.

Muscovy (Moscow)

Capital of Russia

Russian Orthodox church

The church of Russia, branch of; supported the Tsar; played a critical role in unifying the Russian people and supporting the early Russian government

Michael Romanov

In 1613 an assembly of nobles chose him as the new czar. For the next 300 years his family ruled in Russia (1613-1633)

Pluralist

practiced for a time in the religiously diverse Mughal empire; a belief that religions can coexist and be respected within one empire

Akbar

The most famous Muslim ruler of India during the period of Mughal rule. Famous for his religious tolerance, his investment in rich cultural feats, and the creation of a centralized governmental administration, which was not typical of ancient and post-classical India.

Taj Mahal

beautiful mausoleum at Agra built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (completed in 1649) in memory of his favorite wife; often used as an example of how Mughal emperors used mausolea to legitimize their reign

Zamindars

tax system of the Mughal empire where decentralized lords collected tribute for the emperor.

Divine right

the idea that monarchs are God's representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God; used as a way to legitimize European rulers during the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries

Versailles

Palace constructed by Louis XIV outside of Paris to glorify his rule and subdue the nobility.

Exceptionalism

The theory that a nation is distinct from and superior to other nations.

Habsburg Empire

Central European empire that lasted from the 1400s to the 1900s and at its height included the lands of the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands

Thirty Years’ War

central European conflict between Protestants and Catholics; fought mainly in Germany. Destructive conflict that was part of the religious schism known as the Protestant Reformation

Printing Press

A mechanical device for transferring text or graphics from a woodblock or type to paper using ink. Presses using movable type first appeared in Europe in about 1450.