LR

AP World 3 - Comparison in Land-Based Empires

Similarities

  • The Ottomans, Safavid, Manchus (Qing), and Mughals all utilized gunpowder weapons to create and expand their territories, have a strong patriarchal structure, and the growing economic and military presence of Europe play major roles in their declines
  • All were established by an outside group 
    • Ottomans, Safavid, and Mughals from Turks originating in Central Asia
    • Leads to similarity of Turkish Steppe traditions and succession problems
    • Qing established by the Manchus from Manchuria to the Northeast of China.
  • Common across the building of empires was the use of bureaucracies and professional armies
    • EX. Ottomans and the Devshirme and the Qing and use of the Civil-Service Exam
    • Ex. Tokugawa and Salaried Samurai and Aztec and Jaguar Warriors
  • Safavid, Mughals, and Qing where minority group rulers in their areas
  • Old world empires actively suppressed technological innovations

Similarities - Legitimizing Their Rule

  • Leaders of Major Empires legitimize their rule through religion, art, and monumental architecture
    • EX. Divine Right (Europe), Mandate of Heaven (Manchu/QIng), Human Sacrifice (Mexica), Caste System (Hinduism/India)
    • EX. Ways leaders were depicted in art - Qing Portraits, European Monarchs
    • EX. Inca Sun Temple, Taj Mahal, European Palaces (EX Versailles)
  • Political and religious disputes caused rivalries and conflicts between states
    • Ottomans (Sunni) vs Safavids (Shi’a)  and Safavids (Shi’a) vs Mughals (Sunni).  Also both fought for political control over regions.
    • Protestants vs Catholics culminates in the Thirty Years War
    • Sikhs vs Mughals

Differences

  • Ottoman Bureaucracy and Military Elites were essentially slaves
  • Mexica relied heavily on human sacrifice
  • Mexica didn’t build their empire with the use of gunpowder or cavalry
  • The Islamic Empires have several examples of women heavily influencing political decision making despite a very patriarchal society.

Meanwhile, in other World News…..

  • The America’s are stumbled onto early in this period and rapidly begins to transform the world as both hemispheres knew it
    • The social impact on the Old and New World as well as the impact on trade cannot be understated
    • Existing religions will continue to expand and change as they come into contact with new people/ideas
  • But more on this in the next unit…