Ap World History Unit 3:Land-Based Empires Flashcards

Flashcards about Land-Based Empires

Ottoman Empire expansion in the 14th century

The adoption of gunpowder weapons led the Ottomans to control much of Southwestern Europe and Anatolia, including Constantinople which they took in 1453 and renamed Istanbul. The Ottomans enslaved Christians from the Balkans, converted them to Islam and turned them into the best elite fighting force, the Janissaries. This helped them to keep expanding.

Safavid Empire expansion in the 16th century

They raided and conquered neighboring territories using gunpowder weapons. Shah Abbas built up the military with gunpowder weapons and created an enslaved army composed of Christians from the Caucasus region.

Difference between the Ottomans and Safavids

The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims and the Safavids were Shi'a Muslims. The difference began as a political divide over who should rule after the death of Muhammad. Both branches eventually believed they were the true representatives of Islam and the other was not.

Mughal Empire expansion in the 16th century

Babur, the first leader of the Mughal Empire, defeated the Delhi Sultanate in South Asia. This started the expansion of the empire with gunpowder weapons. Emperor Akbar helped to legitimize Mughal rule by showing tolerance to the Hindu majority.

Safavid-Mughal Conflict

This was a series of wars fought over lands in modern Afghanistan. The lands were originally controlled by the Mughals, but when the Safavids took control the Mughals could not get them back. The Safavids were Shi'a Muslims and the Mughals were Sunni. So while the fight was over land, there was a religious aspect to it as well.

Legitimize and consolidate power

Legitimizing power refers to the methods rulers use to establish their authority. Consolidating power is the method rulers use to transfer power from other groups to themselves.

Bureaucracies

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

Ottoman bureaucracy

The Devshirme system was used to staff their bureaucracy. This began with the enslavement and conversion of Christian boys from the Balkans, but also included education and training in Istanbul. Those who were seen as the brightest were appointed to elite positions in the Ottoman bureaucracy. Their extensive education led them to be excellent and loyal bureaucrats. This also led to the creation of the Janissaries mentioned in question number 1.

Divine Right of Kings

The Divine Right of Kings was the idea that kings were God's representatives on Earth. This greatly helped to legitimize their rule.

Qing Dynasty use of art

Because the Qing were Manchu, not Han Chinese like the majority of people in China, they portrayed themselves in portraits with books to suggest Confucian wisdom which would appeal to the Han Chinese population.

Rulers using monumental architecture

The Inca built the Sun Temple of Cuzco with walls covered in gold, and courtyards filled with golden statues. This helped the people to associate their rulers with the gods. In France, Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles which showed his power. He also forced the French nobility to live in his palace so he could keep an eye on them. This helped to transfer their previously held power to the King.

Rulers using innovative tax-collection systems

The Mughal Empire used the Zamindar System. Zamindars were elite landowners who were given the authority to tax peasants living on their land on behalf of the imperial government. The zamindars eventually became corrupt, but the system worked for a while. The Ottomans used tax-farming. They sold the right to collect taxes from their subjects. The Aztec Empire used tribute lists. They forced conquered regions to send them goods that they listed out for them.

Christianity in Europe c. 1450-1750 CE

The Roman Catholic Church had become corrupt. Some people practiced simony, the buying of Church offices. But more importantly, the widespread practice of selling indulgences began. This means that people were told they could pay money for their sins to be forgiven. A reformer named Martin Luther found that these practices were not in the Bible and created a list of grievances called the 95 Theses. These ideas spread quickly due to the printing press and led to a new Christian movement called the Protestant Reformation and the creation of protestant churches. The Catholic Church initiated a Catholic Reformation with the Council of Trent to clean up corruption. They kept their major beliefs.

Ottoman-Safavid Rivalry and the split between Sunni and Shi'a Islam

Safavid leader Shah Ismail declared that the Safavid Empire would be a Shi'a Islamic state. Sunni Muslims in the empire were publicly executed and the Safavid military cursed the first three caliphs to follow Muhammad as illegitimate rulers of the Muslim people.

Sikhism

Sikhism was a syncretic blend of Hindu and Islamic doctrines. These religions had lived side by side in South Asia for centuries. Sikhism adopted the belief in a single God from Islam and the cycle of reincarnation after death from Hinduism. Sikhism also got rid of gender hierarchies and the caste system, opting for radical equality.