3.1: Empires Expand 1450-1750 a

Gunpowder Empires

States that relied on gunpowder to maintain power and expand territories.

Ottoman Empire

Largest and greatest of all Islamic empires from 1299 to 1922.

Mehmed II

Also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, he seized Constantinople in 1433 using gunpowder and advanced cannons.

Suleiman the Magnificent

Peak ruler of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 known for expanding territory around the Mediterranean.

Safavid Empire

Islamic empire that ruled Persia from 1501 to 1736, known for its Shia Islam influence.

Babur

Descendant of Tamerlane who founded the Mughal Empire in 1526 in India.

Akbar

Important Mughal ruler known for promoting religious tolerance and consolidating power.

Taj Mahal

A monumental structure built by Shah Jahan to honor his deceased wife and display Mughal power.

Fall of Gunpowder Empires

Resulted from failure to modernize economy and military compared to European powers.

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

Tsar of Russia from 1547 known for expanding Russian territory using gunpowder.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Japanese ruling dynasty that lasted from 1603 to 1868, marked by centralization and peace.

Renaissance

Cultural rebirth in Europe from c.1300 to c.1600, emphasizing humanism and individualism.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that replaced the Yuan Dynasty in 1368 and ruled through the 16th century.

Qing Dynasty

Established in 1636 by Manchu Jurchens, known for restoring the Great Wall and expanding Chinese territory.

Emperor Kang Xi

Qing emperor who expanded China's territory into Taiwan, Mongolia, Central Asia, and Tibet.