AP World History: Unit 3 Notes/Vocab

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to empires, political systems, and cultural developments from the provided notes.

Ottoman Empire

Powerful Islamic empire based in Turkey that lasted from 1299–1922, known for a strong military, bureaucracy, and religious tolerance under the millet system.

Safavid Empire

Persian Shi’a Muslim empire (1501–1736) known for cultural achievements and strict religious policies, often clashing with the Sunni Ottoman Empire.

Mughal Empire

Muslim empire in India (1526–1857) that blended Persian, Islamic, and Indian cultures, promoting religious tolerance under Akbar.

Gunpowder Empires

Large, land-based empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) that relied on firearms to expand and control territory.

Devshirme System

Ottoman practice of recruiting Christian boys from the Balkans, converting them to Islam, and training them as Janissaries or government officials.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman soldiers loyal to the Sultan, originally recruited through the Devshirme system.

Absolutism

Political system where a monarch holds total power, justified by the idea of divine right.

Divine Right of Kings

Belief that a ruler’s authority comes directly from God, used to justify absolute monarchy.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese belief that emperors ruled with the approval of the gods and could lose legitimacy through misrule.

Shi’a Islam

Branch of Islam followed by the Safavid Empire, distinct from Sunni Islam.

Sunni Islam

Dominant branch of Islam in the Ottoman Empire, often in conflict with Shi’a Islam.

Sikhism

Monotheistic religion blending Hindu and Islamic traditions, founded in India during the Mughal era.

Millet System

Ottoman policy allowing religious communities (Jews, Christians) to govern themselves under their own laws.

Zamindars

Local aristocrats in the Mughal Empire who collected taxes and maintained order.

Syncretism

The blending of cultural or religious traditions, exemplified by Sikhism or Mughal architecture.

Taj Mahal

Mughal architectural achievement built by Shah Jahan, blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian influences.

Tax Farming

System where private individuals collected taxes on behalf of the government, commonly used by Ottomans and Safavids, often leading to corruption.

Tribute System

System in China where foreign states paid tribute to acknowledge Chinese superiority.

Boyars

Russian noble class that often resisted centralization efforts by tsars like Ivan the Terrible.

Serfdom in Russia

System where peasants were tied to the land and controlled by landlords, lasting into the 19th century.