Land-Based Empires Unit 3

LAND-BASED EMPIRES (1450-1750)

OTTOMAN EMPIRE (1299-1922)

• Location: Modern-day Turkey

Important Leader: Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566)

• Highly influential ruler known for military campaigns and legal reforms.

• Expanded the empire significantly.

Important Events:

• Siege of Vienna (1529)

  • Marked Ottoman expansion into Europe.

• Battle of Lepanto (1571)

  • Showcased Ottoman naval power.

Important Laws/Policies:

• Code of Suleiman (Kanunname)

  • Protected rights of religious minorities (non-Muslims).

  • Aimed to enhance the efficiency of the empire for further expansion.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY: DEVIRSHME

• Meaning: "Blood Tax"

• Purpose:

  1. Create loyal administrators and soldiers.

  2. Maintain control over diverse territories.

• Process:

  • Recruitment of Christian boys (ages 8-20) based on physical/intellectual abilities.

  • Conversion to Islam and military/government training.

DEVIRSHME: IMPACT

• Strengthened the Ottoman Military:

  • Janissaries: Elite infantry, considered “sons of the Sultan.”

• Negative Views:

  • Resented by Christian communities; many feared losing sons or conversions.

• Positive Views:

  • Provided upward mobility for previously oppressed individuals.

SAFAVID EMPIRE (1501-1736)

• Location: Modern day Iran

Important Leader: Shah Abbas the Great (1588-1629)

• Strengthened and revitalized the empire; promoted trade and cultural achievements.

• Important Events:

  • Peace of Khaseh (1639): Ended conflict with the Ottomans.

  • Established Isfahan as the new capital, fostering stability and prosperity.

Important Policies:

• Centralized Power:

  • Promoted religious tolerance towards the Sunni minority.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY: RELIGION IN THE SAFAVID EMPIRE

• Context: Majority Shia population.

• Promotion of Twelver Shia Islam:

  • Established as the state religion.

  • Systematic efforts for conversion of Sunni population.

  • Close collaboration with Shia clergy to maintain authority.

• Persecution of Sunni Minority:

  • Under Shah Ismail I: Destruction of Sunni mosques and forced conversions.

• Later Tolerance:

  • Under Shah Abbas: Allowed Sunni worship and mosque construction.

MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526-1761)

• Location: Modern-day Northern India

Important Leader: Akbar the Great (1556-1605)

• Expanded the empire; promoted cultural and religious tolerance.

• Important Events:

  • Battle of Panipat (1526): Established Mughal rule.

  • Founded Fatehpur Sikri as a new capital.

Important Laws/Policies:

• Mansabdari System:

  • Military and political organization assigning scores to officials/soldiers, correlating with power level and responsibilities.

ATTEMPTS TO UNIFY THE RELIGIONS OF INDIA: DIN-I ILAHI

• Context: Predominantly Hindu population under a Muslim ruling class.

• Significance:

  • Akbar’s attempt at promoting social harmony through religious tolerance.

• Policy:

  • Introduced a syncretic religion, Din-i Ilahi.

• Principles:

  • No fixed scripture; encouraged ethical behavior and respect for all religions.

• Reception: Did not gain widespread acceptance beyond Akbar’s reign, yet contributed to his legacy of religious pluralism.

QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

• Also Known As: Manchu Empire

• Context: Established by Manchus; ruled a vast empire with a majority Han Chinese population.

• Manchu Conquest:

  • Founded by Nurhaci with the unification of Manchu tribes.

Administrative Policies:

• Banners System:

  • Organized military and administration; kept Manchu and Mongol populations separate from Han.

• Cultural and Language Policies:

  • Promoted the Manchu language and customs.

• Civil Service Examinations:

  • Continued traditional exams, but in the Manchu language.

RUSSIAN EMPIRE (1721-1917)

• Also Known As: Romanov Empire

Imperial Expansion Under Catherine the Great (1762-1796)

• German princess who married into the Romanov dynasty.

• Expanded territory, including Crimea and parts of Poland.

• Enlightened Despotism:

  • Influenced by Enlightenment ideas, claimed to rule to enlighten her people.

• Charter to the Nobility (1785):

  • Consolidated power of the nobility supporting her rule.

TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE (1603-1867)

• Location: Modern-day Japan; often called Edo Period.

Key Characteristics:

• Context: Resisted Mongol takeover, maintained isolationist feudal economy.

• Centralization of Power:

  • Established under the rule of the Shogun.

• Sakoku Policy:

  • Restricted foreign trade and limited migration, isolating Japan.

• Religious Policies:

  • Banned Christianity and Jesuit missionaries.