AP World History Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

Qing Dynasty

last imperial dynasty of China; founded in 1644 by the Manchus and ruled China for more than 260 years; expanded China's borders to include Taiwan, Tibet, Chinese Central Asia, and Mongolia; preceded by the Ming Dynasty and succeeded by the People's Republic in 1912

Manchus

Northeast Asian pastoral/nomadic people who defeated the Ming Dynasty and founded the Qing Dynasty in 1644; which was the last of China's imperial dynasties

devshirme

the system by which boys from Christian communities were taken by the Ottoman state to serve as Janissaries, the elite professional military of the sultan

zamindars

Mughal empire's taxation system where decentralized lords collected tribute/taxes for the emperor

Taj Mahal

mausoleum (tomb) in India built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan; completed in 1649 in memory of his favorite wife; illustrates syncretic blend between Indian and Arabic architectural styles as well as Islamic influences with calligraphy from the Quran

tax farming

tax-collection system utilized by the Ottoman Empire to generate money for territorial expansion; the government hired private individuals to collect taxes

95 Theses

arguments written by Martin Luther against the Catholic church; posted on October 31, 1517; ultimately led to Martin Luther's excommunication and the origins of the Protestant Reformation

Counter/Catholic Reformation

the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church to the Protestant Reformation; reaffirming the veneration of saints and the authority of the Pope (to which Protestants objected), ended sale of indulgences and simony, created Jesuits missionaries, began the Inquisition

simony

the buying and selling of church offices, seen as a corrupt practice, this practice was outlawed by the Catholic Church during the Counter Reformation

jizya

tax paid by Christians and Jews (and sometimes other faiths) who lived in Muslim communities to allow them to continue to practice their own religion; often utilized by Islamic states to manage diverse populations within their empires

millet system

system used by the Ottomans whereby subjects were divided into religious communities, with each millet (nation) enjoying autonomous self-government under its religious leaders; a unique way to manage a diverse empire

sakoku

the isolationist foreign policy of the Japanese Tokugawa shogunate (1603 to 1868); trade between Japan foreign states was severely limited, and almost all foreigners were banned from entering Japan; common Japanese people were kept from leaving; allowed trade with only the Dutch, Chinese, and Koreans

Shintoism

traditional animist religion of Japan that emphasizes the worship of kami (spirits associated with nature and ancestors), ritual purity, and respect for the natural world

queue

hairstyle required by the Manchu rulers of China's Qing Dynasty; a sign of submission; men shaved the front of their heads and wore the remaining hair in a long braid as a symbol of loyalty to Qing/Manchu rule

Ottoman Empire

(c. 1300-1922) powerful Sunni Muslim empire centered in modern-day Turkey that conquered Constantinople in 1453 and controlled much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Safavid Empire

(1501-1736) Shi'a Muslim empire centered in Persia (modern Iran) that established Twelver Shi'a Islam as the state religion and frequently competed with the Sunni Ottoman Empire

Mughal Empire

(1526-1857) Sunni Muslim empire that ruled most of India; known for its wealth, religious and cultural diversity, and blending of Islamic and Hindu traditions

Divine Right

the idea that monarchs are God's representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God; used often in European states before 1750

Absolutism

A form of government, usually hereditary monarchy, in which the ruler has no legal limits on his or her power; example Louis XIV in France

Daimyo

Japanese feudal lords who controlled large territories and armies, especially during the medieval and early modern periods; loyal to a shogun

Shogun

military ruler of Japan who held the real political power, especially during the feudal period; daimyo and samurai served beneath them; Japan's emperor was only a figurehead

Tokugawa Japan

1603 to 1868 - Japan was ruled by the this shogunate, with strict social classes, peace and stability, limited foreign contact (sakoku), and powerful regional lords called daimyo who were controlled by the shogun

Inquisitions

investigations organized by the Catholic Church to find, question, and punish people suspected of heresy or beliefs that went against Catholic teachings; a result of the Counter/Catholic Reformation

Indulgences

Catholic practice meant to reduce the spiritual punishment for sins; some Church officials began selling indulgences for money, especially to help fund major projects. During the Protestant Reformation, the sale of these was heavily criticized.

Martin Luther

a German monk who became one of the most famous critics of the Roman Catholic Church, instigating the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, he wrote 95 theses, or statements of belief attacking the Catholic church's practices.

Versailles

Palace constructed by Louis XIV in 1682 outside of Paris to glorify his rule, project the power of France, and subdue the nobility who might threaten his rule

Sikhism

a monotheistic religion founded in northern India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak; teaches belief in one God, equality of all people, honest living, helping others, and devotion to God; added to the diversity of the Mughal Empire

Janissaries

highly trained soldiers (military professionals) who served the Ottoman sultan; recruited through the devshirme system, which took Christian boys from parts of the empire and trained them for state service; known for their discipline and loyalty to the sultan.

Samurai

hereditary warrior class of feudal Japan who served powerful lords (daimyo) and followed a code of loyalty, discipline, and honor; fought in wars for their daimyo or shogun; enforced laws and maintained order in their lord's territory; served as military and government officials

Jesuits

Catholic missionaries and educators who spread Catholicism around the world and established schools and missions; traveled to Asia, Africa, and the Americas to convert people to Catholicism; contributed to astronomy, mathematics, geography, and cartography, sharing knowledge between Europe and other regions

Protestant Reformation

religious movement that challenged the authority and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and led to the creation of new Christian denominations, including Lutheranism and Calvinism; began in 1517 with Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses and contributed to religious conflict, political change, and the weakening of Catholic unity in Europe