Units 3 and 4

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

  • Focuses on the gunpowder empires located across the Eurasian landmass.
  • Key Empires:
    • Ottoman Empire (West)
    • Safavid Empire (Middle)
    • Mughal Dynasty (East)
  • Land-based empires primarily concentrate on land control, not maritime activities.

Commonalities Among Empires

  • Islamically based: Islam used as a unifier but also a source of contestation.
  • Utilized gunpowder technology (cannons) effectively, e.g., taking down Constantinople.
  • Aimed to counter the growing European global influence, starting in 1450.

Ottoman Empire

  • Anatolia is modern-day Turkey; the empire began in this region and spread.
  • Experienced a rapid rise to power, reaching its peak in the mid-1500s, followed by a gradual decline until 1922.
  • 1453: Fall of Constantinople (Istanbul) shifted trade dynamics, making Europeans uncomfortable due to the change to an Islamic state, spurring exploration.
  • Devshirme System: Captured Christian boys (Janissaries) from the Balkan Peninsula were turned into warriors, forming a professional infantry.
  • Tolerance: Displayed tolerance towards other faiths as long as Islam was acknowledged as superior.
  • Suleiman the Magnificent: Empire reached its height under his rule, expanding into Europe and North Africa.
  • Decline: Began in the early 1600s due to competition from European powers and the impact of New World silver (from Potosi mines) causing global inflation.

Safavid Empire

  • Unique due to its Shiite Islamic identity.
  • Geographically located where modern-day Iran is situated.
  • Focused on land trade routes due to being relatively landlocked.
  • Shah Abbas: Notable ruler, known for being strong and in touch with the common people.
  • Religious government influence still seen in Iran today, connecting the past to the present.

Mughal Dynasty

  • A minority religion (Islam) ruling a majority (Hindu) population.
  • Ruling harshly initially to establish dominance but later attempting to merge cultures.
  • Located in Northern India, stretching into modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • Babur: One of the founders.
  • Akbar: Tried to bridge the gap between Islam and Hinduism; married a Hindu woman; created a syncretic faith that may have influenced Sikhism.
  • Decline: By the end of Akbar's reign, the British East India Company started making inroads.

Ming and Qing Dynasties (China)

  • Transition from Ming to Qing dynasty: Focus on these two dynasties for exam relevance.
Ming Dynasty
  • Took over from the Yuan Dynasty (Mongols).
  • Reinvigorated and rebuilt sections of the Great Wall.
  • Centralized state: Emperor had full authority, with subordinates carrying out orders.
  • Zheng He: A Muslim admiral whose exploration exploits were legendary; voyages ended, possibly due to expense and a desire to maintain China's "Middle Kingdom" identity.
Qing Dynasty
  • The last dynasty of China, established by the Manchu from the north.
  • Another minority group ruling the majority population.
  • Centralized system: Expanded further west into Tibet and held tight control.
  • Treated conquered people as tribute payers rather than integrating them into the empire.
  • Civil service exams: Maintained to utilize local southern Chinese to help control the masses, similar to the British in India.
  • Kangxi: Arguably the strongest leader, kept Europeans at arm's length.
  • Accumulated vast amounts of silver in exchange for goods like silks and porcelains.
    • Silver→OpiumSilver \rightarrow Opium (how the West reclaimed the silver).

Other Important Points

  • Mughal Empire: Landowners serving as tax collectors.
  • Ottoman Empire: Tax farming system led to corruption.
  • Syncretism: Blending of architecture, culture, and religions.
  • Sikhism: Developed during this time.
  • Protestant Reformation: A rift in Christianity in Europe.
    • Martin Luther questioned practices such as indulgences.
    • Affected European interactions worldwide.
    • Printing press helped spread ideas.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections

  • The globe becomes interconnected.

Factors Enabling Exploration

  • Advancements in sails and navigational equipment (compass, astrolabe, etc.)
  • Ocean-going ships (e.g., the Caravel)
  • Understanding of ocean currents and winds.
  • Looking for a shortcut to the Spice Islands.
  • Avoiding the Ottoman Empire→Protestant movement→Seeking safe places to practice faith\text{Avoiding the Ottoman Empire} \rightarrow \text{Protestant movement} \rightarrow \text{Seeking safe places to practice faith}
  • Reconquista: Ferdinand and Isabella expelled non-Catholics, leading to a push for new territories.

Columbian Exchange

  • Interconnection with the age of exploration.
  • Economic system supporting the mother country.

Mercantilism

  • Exports > Imports \rightarrow \text{More Exports than Imports}
  • French, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese were all involved.

Key Aspects

  • Conquering the Americas.
  • Mass migration (including forced migration through slavery).
  • Syncretism.
  • Important Products: Sugar, corn, cotton.

Labor Systems

  • Coerced labor systems (encomienda, mit'a, indentured servitude, slavery) must be understood because native populations died off.