AP World History Unit 3 Study Notes

The time period discussed is from 1450 to 1750.
Focus on land-based empires, their expansion, administration, and belief systems.
Major empires to study: Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire, Mughal Empire, and Qing Dynasty.

A land-based empire is defined as an empire whose power is derived from the extent of its territorial holdings.

Between 1450 and 1750, land-based empires were expanding, becoming larger and consolidating power.
Introduction of four key empires for comparative analysis:
- Ottoman Empire
- Safavid Empire
- Mughal Empire
- Qing Dynasty

Founded in the 14th century.
Expanded rapidly due to several factors, notably the adoption of gunpowder weapons, which originated in China.
Controlled much of Southwestern Europe and Anatolia by the early 15th century.
Key event: Conquest of Constantinople in 1453, renamed to Istanbul. This was facilitated using gunpowder weapons, particularly heavy artillery.
Importance of Constantinople: It was considered the Heart of the former Roman Empire, serving as a strategic point for further expansion into Eastern Europe.
Ottoman policies included the enslavement of Christians from conquered regions in the Balkans, converting them to Islam and integrating the best into the elite military force known as the Janissaries.
The empire's expansion showcased their military prowess by controlling vast territories by 1750.

Established in the early 16th century in the Middle East.
Began as a small state, rapidly expanding under Sha Ismail through conquest.
Similar to the Ottomans, utilized gunpowder weapons to enhance military strength.
Faced lack of natural defensive barriers; thus, Sha Abbas reinforced military forces, establishing an enslaved army from conquered territories, like the Caucasus region.
Both Safavids and Ottomans had parallels in their military organization but differed in sectarian affiliation:
- Ottomans: Sunni Muslims
- Safavids: Shia Muslims
Sectarian differences played a significant role in their historical encounters.

Established in the first half of the 16th century in South and Central Asia.
Babur, the founder, led campaigns against the Delhi Sultanate in 1526, initiating Mughal dominance in the region.
The Mughal Empire expanded substantially under Akbar, Babur's grandson, who is noted for his religious tolerance towards the Hindu majority.
Akbar's administration aimed to bridge cultural divides and foster prosperity, making the Mughal Empire very prosperous during the 16th century.

The Qing Dynasty replaced the Ming Dynasty, established by the Manchu people in the early 17th century.
The Qing consolidated power by leveraging military strength and gunpowder weapons.
Under Ming rule, the emphasis was on ethnic Han Chinese leadership; the transition to the Qing dynasty marked a shift back towards foreign rulers.

All four empires were land-based and expanded rapidly during this period.
Each utilized gunpowder technology for military advancements and territorial expansion.
The Mughal and Qing empires were ethnically distinct from their subjects, while both the Safavid and Ottoman empires shared Islamic beliefs but diverged into Sunni and Shia sects, respectively.

Notable conflicts were inherent as empires expanded, leading to clashes.
Example: The Safavid-Mughal conflict over territory in Afghanistan due to Mughals' focus elsewhere. After the series of territorial wars, no clear victor emerged, and religious divisions complicated interactions further due to sectarian differences.

The Roman Catholic Church dominated Europe but faced corruption (e.g., simony, sale of indulgences).
Martin Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation in 1517 with the 95 Theses, challenging church practices, leading to a split.
The Catholic Church initiated its own reforms (e.g., Council of Trent) to address these issues while reaffirming doctrine, creating a permanent split.

The political rivalry intensified the Sunni-Shia split due to Sha Ismail declaring the Safavid adherence to Shia Islam, leading to violent and public enforcement of religious conformity.

Emerged as a syncretic religion blending Hinduism and Islam.
Retained core beliefs from both but rejected gender hierarchies and caste systems.

Unit 3 examines the complexity of land-based empires’ dynamics from expansion to administration, highlighting internal and external conflicts, adjusting belief systems, and the development of governance strategies amid diverse cultural backgrounds.