AP World Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Time Period of Unit 3

1450–1750

Defining Feature of Unit 3 Empires

Land-based empires that expanded using gunpowder weapons

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal

Reason Empires Expanded

Use of firearms and cannons

Safavid–Mughal Conflicts

Competition over Persian Gulf and religion

Safavid Religion

Shia Islam

Mughal Religion

Sunni Islam

Source of Songhai Power

Gold and Trans-Saharan trade

Songhai–Moroccan Conflict

Morocco defeated Songhai using gunpowder

Reason Morocco Defeated Songhai

Superior firearms and military technology

Imperial Bureaucracy

Large administrative system to govern empires

Empire Size and Bureaucracy

Larger empire required a larger bureaucracy

Devshirme System

Ottoman system enslaving Christian boys for service

Purpose of Devshirme System

Created loyal officials and soldiers

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman soldiers made from enslaved Christians

Role of Military

Expansion and control of empire

Divine Right of Kings

Rulers claimed authority from God

Effect of Divine Right

Opposing ruler meant opposing God

Aztec Religious Practice

Human sacrifice

Qing Dynasty Legitimization

Emperor portraits displayed publicly

Louis XIV’s Palace

Palace of Versailles symbolized absolute power

Inca Sun Empire

Ruler associated with the Sun God

Zamindar System

Mughal tax collection system

Purpose of Zamindar System

Efficient tax collection across empire

Tax Farming

Ottoman system selling tax collection rights

Benefit of Tax Farming

Reliable income for the state

Dominant Religion in Europe

Christianity

Branches of Christianity

Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

Church Wealth

Owned land and collected taxes

Indulgences

Payments for forgiveness of sins

Simony

Selling church offices

Martin Luther

Critic of Catholic Church corruption

95 Theses

Document attacking indulgences

Protestant Reformation

Split Western Christianity

Printing Press Role

Spread Reformation ideas rapidly

Catholic Reformation

Catholic response to Protestantism

Council of Trent

Catholic reform council

Major Islamic Conflict

Ottoman vs Safavid

Outcome of Ottoman–Safavid Conflict

Ottoman dominance

Muslim Rule in Hindu Areas

Led to blended belief systems

Bhakti Movement

Personal spiritual devotion

Sikhism

Religion blending Hinduism and Islam

Sikhism Continuity

Belief in reincarnation and monotheism

Sikhism Change

Rejection of caste system