Units 3 and 4

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Transition from Ming to Qing dynasty: Focus on these two dynasties for exam relevance.

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.

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.
- $Silver \rightarrow Opium$ (how the West reclaimed the silver).

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.

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.
$\text{Avoiding the Ottoman Empire} \rightarrow \text{Protestant movement} \rightarrow \text{Seeking safe places to practice faith}$
Reconquista: Ferdinand and Isabella expelled non-Catholics, leading to a push for new territories.

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