Key term/event 

Definition (Think - Who, What, When, Where...) and Significance (Why this term matters)

Gunpowder Empires

refers to large, multiethnic states in Southwest, South, and Central Asia that relied on weapons powered by gunpowder to control and conquer territories. Strongest ones included the Ottoman, the Safavid, and the Mughal Empires.

Gutenberg Printing

Press

A technological innovation that sparked the rise of literacy in France and England.

Ivan IV

Also known as Ivan the Terrible, he was the tsar of Russia from 1547-1584.

Volga River

A river that flows into the Caspian Sea, which allowed Moscow to trade directly with Persia and the Ottoman Empire without having to deal with the strong forces of the Crimean Tartars.

Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty (the replacement of the Yuan Dynasty) was established in 1368 and expanded to the size of China, also holding lands in Mongolia and Central Asia.

Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty was established by The Manchus in 1644 successfully, so much that by 1911, they had tripled the amount of land they controlled.

Kangxi

Emperor Kangxi was one of the longest-reigning emperors who ruled 1661-1772 during a period of stability and expansion (Qing Dynasty).

Emperor Qianlong

Another Qing ruler (ruled 1736-1796) who was a poet who was knowledgeable in art and calligraphy.

Tamerlane

Tamerlane was a Mongol-Turkic ruler of the late 14th century who set the stage for the rise of the Turkic empires.

Ghazi Ideal

a model for warrior life that blended the cooperative values of nomadic culture with the willingness to serve as a holy fighter for Islam.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire was located in modern-day Turkey, the Balkan areas of Europe, and parts of North Africa and Southeast Asia. It was significant because it was, by far, the largest and most enduring of the Islamic empires of this period.

Mehmed II

Also called the Conqueror, Mehmed II rules from 1451 to 1481 and established the empire's capital after his forces besieged Constantinople

Suleiman I

Suleiman I ruled from 1520 to 1566, during the peak of the Ottoman Empire. 

Shah

Equivalent to king or emperor in 1501.

Safavid Empire

The origin of the Safavid Empire was in the northern Azerbaijan region (present-day Iran). Two problems the empire faced was their lack of a real navy, as well as natural defenses. Europe assisted the Safavid Empire by importing weaponry and advising the empire's troops about the new military technology.

Shah Abbas I

Also known as Abbas the Great, Shah Abbas I ruled from 1588 to 1629 and presided over the Safavid Empire at its height.

Akbar

Meaning "great” or "greatest” in Arabic.

Mughal Empire

The Mughal empire was significant because it was one of the richest and best-governed states in the world. Traded goods included textiles, tropical foods, spices, and precious stones, all of which were often exchanged for gold and silver. The architecture of the Mughal Empire was significant because they are now the remaining testament to the wealth and sophistication of the empire.

Caste

Strict social groupings designated at birth.

Objective 

Key Developments:

Explain how

and why

various

land-based

empires

developed

and

expanded

from 1450 -

1750.

What were the four Gunpowder Empires?

The four Gunpowder Empires were referred to as large, multiethnic states in Southwest, South, and Central Asia that relied on weapons powered by gunpowder to control and conquer territories. Strongest ones included the Ottoman, the Safavid, and the Mughal Empires.

Why did the Gunpowder Empires craft artistic and architectural legacies?

The Gunpowder Empires crafted artistic and architectural legacies to reflect the legitimacy of their rulers.

What did Europe’s expansion involve that was unique from the Gunpowder Empires?

Europe’s expansion involved a wider range of exchange networks than that which spread gunpowder which was transoceanic connections with the Americas.

Europe:

What is significant about the year 1450?

1450 was significant because it signified the ending of the medieval period as well as the beginning of the early modern period.

What events signal the beginning of the early modern period (the mid-1450s)?

The events that signaled the beginning of the early modern period were the invention of the Gutenberg printing press which caused an increase of literacy.

Monarchies in Europe in 1450 wanted to control: taxes (by centralizing them).

Which social class was becoming more powerful in Europe?

The social class that was becoming more powerful in Europe was the middle class.

Russia:

Which two regions was Russia influenced by?

The two regions that Russia was influenced by were Europe and Asia.

How did Ivan IV extend the border of Russia Eastward?

Ivan IV extended the border of Russia eastward by taking control of the khanates held by the descendants of the Golden Horde, the Mongolian conquerors as well as allowing major Russian landowners, the Strogonovs, to hire bands of fierce peasant warriors

What did Russia’s expansion depend on?

Russia's expansion depended more on the use of gunpowder.

Who were the Cossacks and what did they do?

Cossacks were fierce peasant warriors hired by major Russian landowners, the Strogonovs, to fight the local tribes and the Siberan khan.

Why did Russia want to control the Volga river?

Russia wanted to control the Volga river because they wanted to control the fur trade.

What religion did Russian missionaries want to convert Siberian tribes to?

Russian missionaries wanted to convert Siberian tribes to the Eastern Orthodox faith.

Where did the Russian Empire extend to by 1639?

By 1639, the Russian Empire extended to the Pacific Ocean, where they were able to explore off the coast of North America.

East Asia:

The Ming Dynasty was established after the Mongols were pushed out of China. What was the result of the Ming Dynasty?

The result of the Ming dynasty was the stabilization of the East Asia region.

Who established the Qing Dynasty?

The Qing Dynasty was established by Manchu who seized power.

What caused China to rebuild the Great Wall of China for protection?

China rebuilt the Great Wall of China for protection because it had not been well maintained under Mongol rule, so they rebuilt it again to keep out invaders from the North.

What was significant about Emperor Kangxi’s rule AND what regions did he incorporate into China’s rule?

Emperor Kangxi’s rule was significant because he presided over a period of stability and expansion during the Qing Dynasty and sent forces into Taiwan, Mongolia, and Central Asia, incorporating those areas into the empire.

What was notable about Emperor Qianlong’s rule? (where did he expand, what was the reaction to his expansion, etc.)?

Emperor Qianlong's rule was notable because he initiated

military campaigns in lands west of China, which led to the annexation of

Xinjiang accompanied by the mass killings of the local population. The effect of this was the local Muslim population never being fully involved in Chinese culture.

Were the following expansion efforts by China successful or unsuccessful:

Tibet: Successful

Burma: Unsuccessful

Vietnam: Unsuccessful

What was the result of these efforts to expand?

The result of these efforts to expand resulted in the emptying of the empire's treasury.

Describe the late years of Emperor Qianlong’s reign:

During the late years of Emperor Qianlong's reign the traditionally efficient Chinese bureaucracy became corrupt, levying high taxes on the people.

Why was the White Lotus Society reinstated? Where have we heard of them before?

The White Lotus Society was reinstated because the peasants who made up the society wanted to address the high taxes and had a desire to restore the Ming Dynasty. The White Lotus society was also mentioned during the Yuan dynasty.

What was the result of their uprising?

The result of the uprising of the White Lotus Society was the Qing government suppressing the uprising brutality, killing around 100,000 peasants.

Islamic Gunpowder Empires:

What did the Gunpowder Empires have in common?

• They descended from Turkic nomads who once lived in Central Asia.

• They spoke a Turkic language.

• They took advantage of power vacuums left by the breakup of Mongol

• khanates.

• They relied on gunpowder weapons, such as artillery and cannons.

What made the Gunpowder Empires successful?

The Gunpowder Empires were successful because their initial glory was a result of their own military might along with the weakness and corruption of the regimes that they replaced.

Who was Tamerlane and where did he conquer?

Tamerlane was a Mongol-Turkic ruler of the late 14th century and he conquered areas in Persia and India.

How did the Ghazi Ideal help the Gunpowder Empires grow?

The Ghazi ideal helped the Gunpowder Empires grow because it was a model for warrior life, which combined the values of nomadic culture to create a willingness to serve as a holy fighter for Islam, or participate in the rise of the empires.

Conquests led by the Gunpowder Empires were marked by what?

Conquests led by the Gunpowder Empires were marked by violence that sparked up new dynasties.

How did Tamerlane encourage the arts?

Tamerlane encouraged the arts by writing his own memoirs (by corresponding with European leaders) and championed literature.

Tamerlane’s invasions were a testament to what?

Tamerlane's invasions were a testament to the significance of gunpowder.

Tamerlane’s government depended on what?

Tamerlane's government depended on gunpowder because they used it almost for everything, invasions, heavy artillery, and to build up the military.

How did Tamerlane fail?

Tamerlane failed by not leaving an effective political structure in many of the areas he conquered, which caused the expenses of the war to ravage the empire's economy.

Which two major forces would continue to battle with each other into the 14th century?

Mongols from the northeast versus Islamic forces from Arabia and the areas around the Mediterranean Sea.

The Ottoman Empire

Where was the Ottoman Empire located?

The Ottoman Empire was located in modern-day Turkey, the Balkan areas of Europe, and parts of North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Why is the Ottoman Empire significant?

The Ottoman Empire was significant because it was, by far, the largest and most enduring of the Islamic empires of this period.

Under Mehmed II, where was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire?

The capital city, Istanbul, was reestablished where Constantinople once was.

Why was the location of the capital city significant?

The location of the capital city was significant because Istanbul prospered because of its specific placing. It was also a trade connection with water forms such as the Bosporus strait, which linked the Aegean and Black seas.

What was the Ottoman relationship with Venice?

The Ottoman relationship with Venice was that the empire forced the city to pay a yearly tax.

Why was Suleiman I’s siege of Venice significant?

Suleiman I’s siege of Venice was significant because it failed twice but still spread fear because of their ability to send troops deep into Christian Europe.

What led to the eventual fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1922?

The eventual fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1922 was led by the state trying to adapt to internal/external pressures, and from defending Ottoman territory against foreign invasion and occupation which overall  resulted in Ottoman defeat and dissolution.

The Safavid Empire

What was the origin of the Safavid Empire?

The origin of the Safavid Empire was in the northern Azerbaijan region (present-day Iran).

List two problems the Safavid Empire faced:

Two problems the Safavid Empire faced was their lack of a real navy, as well as natural defenses.

How did Europe assist the Safavid Empire?

Europe assisted the Safavid Empire by importing weaponry and advising the empire's troops about the new military technology.

Safavid Shahs controlled what two things?

Safavid Shahs controlled religion and politics.

What two things caused tension between the Safavid and Ottoman Empires?

The two things that caused tension between the Safavid and Ottoman Empires were the stopping of Safavid forces done by the Ottomans at Tabriz (a city in Persia that became part of the border between Sunni and Shi’a societies) and conflicts on overland trade routes.

How did the Ottomans try to assert dominance over the Safavid Empire?

The Ottomans tried to assert dominance over the Safavid Empire by always being against the Safavid silk traders.

Describe the place of women in the Safavid Empire:

Safavid women were permitted to participate in their societies. While Safavid women were still veiled and restricted in their movements, as was traditional in the region, they had access to rights provided by Islamic law for inheritance and, in extreme cases, divorce.

Mughal India

What was significant about the Mughal empire?

The Mughal empire was significant because it was one of the richest and best-governed states in the world.

What was the role of Arab traders in the Mughal Empire?

The role of Arab traders in the Mughal Empire was to conduct most of the commerce.

What goods were imported and exported in the Mughal Empire?

Traded goods included textiles, tropical foods, spices, and precious stones, all of which were often exchanged for gold and silver.

What were the Hindu castes?

The Hindu castes were strict social groupings designated by birth. The four categories were Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and the Shudras. Outside of the system are the achhoots, or the Dalits, the untouchables.

Why is the architecture of the Mughal Empire significant?

The architecture of the Mughal Empire was significant because they are now the remaining testament to the wealth and sophistication of the empire.

The Decline of the Gunpowder Empires

Why did the Gunpowder Empires decline?

The Gunpowder Empires declined because Western Europe grew in strength economically and militarily.

Why did Russia remain despite the other gunpowder empires falling?

Russia remained despite other gunpowder empires falling because it was powerful enough to survive an independent nation-state

Summarize why the Ottoman Empire eventually declined:

The Ottoman Empire eventually declined because of outside naval attacks, weak sultans, and strong European neighbors.

What were “Harem Politics” and how did they contribute to the fall of the Ottoman Empire?

"Harem Politics” were the efforts of wives and concubines of the sultan to promote their own children as likely heirs to the throne which led for some women to become powerful behind the scenes.

Summarize why the Safavid Empire declined:

The Safavid Empire declined because of their weakening economy which made it an easy target to enemy invasions.

Summarize why the Mughal Empire declined:

The Mughal Empire declined because of corruption and the failure to keep  up

with the military innovations of external enemies.

Key term/event 

Definition (Think - Who, What, When, Where...) and Significance (Why this term matters)

Divine Right of Kings

a common claim from the Middle Ages that the right to rule was given to a king by God. Under this belief, a king was a political and religious authority.

English Bill of Rights

A document that assured individual civil liberties.

Absolutism

a political system in which one ruler or leader has complete power and authority over a country.

Tax Farmers

local officials and private tax collectors distant from the central government.

Louis XIV

Known as The Sun King, ruled 1643-1715

Boyars

The noble landowning class

Serfdom

A condition in medieval Europe in which a tenant farmer was bound to a hereditary plot of land and to the will of his landlord

Ivan IV

Known as Ivan the Terrible, ruled 1547-1584

Romanov Dynasty

The Romanov Dynasty was one that took control of Russia in 1613 following Ivan’s death in 1584.

Janissaries

Also known as “slaves of the state” , Janissaries were a powerful political force within the Ottoman state.

Daimyo

Landowning aristocrats in Japan

Period of Great Peace

An era in which Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s successors would continue to rule Japan into the mid-19th century.

Tokugawa Shogunate

the military government that ruled over Japan from 1603 until 1868. 

Zamindars

Paid government officials

Askia the Great

Askia Mohammad I, AKA Askia the Great, came to power in 1493.

Taj Mahal

An architectural monument built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife.

Justices of the Peace

officials selected by the landed gentry to maintain peace in the counties of England, even settling some legal matters, and to carry out the monarch’s laws.

Objective 

Key Developments

Explain how

rulers used a

variety of

methods to

legitimize

and

consolidate

their power

in land-based

empires from

1450 - 1750.

England:

How did King James I use the Divine Right of Kings to justify his rule?

King James I used the Divine Right of Kings to justify his rule by saying that he believed himself to be outside the law and any challenge directed towards him was a challenge from God.

What was the role of the justices of the peace in Tudor England and why were they so important?

The role of justices of the peace in Tudor England was to "do equal rights of the poor and to the rich after your cunning wit, and power, and after the laws and customs of the realm and statutes thereof made,” so overall to maintain peace throughout the English countries. They were so important because on top of that, they had to carry out the monarch’s laws.

What was the effect of a stronger Tudor rule on feudalism in England?

The effect of a stronger Tudor rule on feudalism in England was that the power of the feudal lords weakened.

What was the role of Parliament?

The role of Parliament was to agree on matters of taxation and raising an army.

List two things the English Bill of Rights accomplished:

1. Individual civil liberties

2. Protection towards tyranny 

France:

How did the French government grow in comparison to the English?

Compared to the English, the French government grew much more in comparison because of the increase in absolutism.

How did Louis XVIII change the French Government?

Louis XVII changed the French Government by moving it to an even greater centralization of the government and development of the system of intendants.

Why were intendants called tax farmers?

Intendants were called tax farmers because because they

oversaw the collection of various taxes in support of the royal governments.

Why was Louis XIV considered a dictator?

Louis XIV was considered to be a dictator because he only had two aims: he wanted to hold absolute power and expand French borders.

Why did Louis XIV want absolute power?

Louis XIV wanted absolute power because only then would he be able to expand France's borders, another goal of his which he wished to accomplish.

What was the significance of Versailles to the French government?

The significance of Versailles to the French government was that Louis kept his nobles close to him in his palace located there, which made it harder for them to rebel against him.

Explain how

rulers used a

variety of

methods to

legitimize

and

consolidate

their power

in land-based

empires from 1450 - 1750.

Russia:

Describe the class system in Russia:

Greatest to Least

1. Boyars (noble landowners)

2. Merchants

3. Peasants

As more peasants sank deeper into debt, they took on the serfdom lifestyle in which they receive land that they have to be bound to.

How were Serfs connected to their land?

Serfs were connected to their land because transfers of land ownership to another noble included control over the serfs on that land.

How did Ivan IV feel about the boyar class?

Ivan IV felt tension between him and the boyar class because of their opposition to the expansionist policies he enforced.

What did Ivan IV create to keep an eye on the Boyars?

In order to keep an eye on the Boyars, Ivan IV created a paramilitary force loyal to him called the oprichnina.

How did Ivan IV create loyalty within the oprichnina?

Ivan IV created loyalty within the oprichnina by having them being drawn to lower-level bureaucrats and merchants to assure their loyalty to him rather than to the boyars.

What were the three groups in Russia vying for power under the Romanov Dynasty and what did they want?

➔ the Church, bent on conserving traditional values and beliefs.

➔ the boyars, desiring to gain and hold power 

➔ Members of the tsar’s royal family.

Who did Peter have to defeat to come into power?

In order to come to power, Peter had to defeat his half-sister Sophia and her supporters.

Why did Peter lose favor amongst members of the clergy despite being referred to as “the Defender of Orthodoxy”?

Peter lost favor amongst members of the clergy despite being referred to as “the Defender of Orthodox” because of his reforms

How did Peter organize the Russian government?

Peter organized the Russian government by creating provinces

first 8 and later 50 administrative divisions

Explain how

rulers used a

variety of

methods to

legitimize

and

consolidate

their power

in land-based

empires from

1450 - 1750.

Ottoman Empire:

Describe the devshirme system in the Ottoman Empire?

This system began in the late 1th century and expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries. Through this system, Christian boys who were subjects of the empire were recruited by force to serve in the Ottoman government. Boys ages 8 to 20 were taken each year from conquered Christian lands in Europe.

Why were boys taken to be part of the devshirme always Christian?

The boys who were taken to be part of the devshirme were always Christian because 

What kinds of jobs did the devshirme have?

The devshirme had many jobs such as staffing their military and government.

Why were the Janissaries so loyal to the Ottoman empire?

The Janissaries were extremely loyal to the Ottoman empire because they were indoctrinated to be so.

Why did some parents want their sons to be taken into slavery by the Ottoman empire?

Some parents wanted their sons to be taken into slavery by the Ottoman empire because in some ways, becoming a Janissary provided a path of upward mobility in the kingdom.

Explain how

rulers used a

variety of

methods to

legitimize

and

consolidate

their power

in land-based

empires from

1450 - 1750.

East and South Asia

China

How did the MIng Dynasty erase Mongol influence in China (3 examples):

The Ming Dynasty managed to erase Mongol influence in China by bringing back the traditional civil service exam, improving education by establishing a national school system, and re establishing the bureaucracy, which had fallen into disuse under the Mongols.

Japan:

How did the daimyo contribute to decentralization in Japan?

The daimyo contributed to decentralization in Japan because they left the nation in disarray.

Why did the samurai have significant economic power in Japan?

Samurai had significant economic power in Japan because they were salaried, paid first in rice and later in gold.

Summarize the role of Oda Nobunaga:

The role of Oda Nobunaga was to extend his power, doing that, he managed to unify about one-third of what is today Japan.

How did the Tokugawa shogunate reorganize the government of Japan?

The Tokugawa shogunate reorganized the government of Japan by dividing the nation intp 250 hans, or territories, each being controlled by a daimyo who had his own army and was fairly independent.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate control the aristocratic daimyos?

The Tokugawa government required that daimyo maintain residences both in their home territory and also in the capital if the daimyo himself was visiting his home territory, his family had to stay in Tokyo, essentially as hostages. This kept the daimyo under the control of the shogunate, reducing them to landlords who managed the hans, rather than independent leaders.

Mughal Empire:

Summarize how Akbar established an efficient government in India:

Akbar established an efficient government in India by defeating Hindu armies and extending his empire.

How did Zamindars eventually impact the Mughal Empire?

Zamindars impacted the Mughal Empire by being in charge of specific duties, such as taxation, construction, and the water supply. Using the money that came from the taxes they collected, they build personal armies of soldiers and civilians loyal to them.

Explain how

rulers used a

variety of

methods to

legitimize

and

consolidate

their power

in land-based

empires from

1450 - 1750.

Religion and Art

Describe two ways in which European monarchs sought to legitimize the authority of their monarchs:

Two ways in which European monarchs sought to legitimize the authority of their monarchs were through the divine right of monarchy and building impressive structures to show their power and glory.

What is the significance of the new lands Peter the Great conquered?

The significance of the new lands Per the Great conquered were that it had its own warm-water port, which Russia adopted.

Describe St. Petersburg:

St. Petersburg was the name of Russia’s warm-water port on the Baltic sea and had streets in a rectangular grid. It was also a city in which the peasants and prisoners were forced to work.

Describe two ways Askia the Great of Songhai changed his empire in order to legitimize his rule:

Two ways Askia the Great of Songhai changed his empire were supporting an efficient bureaucracy and to promote Islam.

Mughal India was marked by magnificent architectural accomplishments. What were they?

Mughal India was marked with many magnificent architectural accomplishments, the main one being the Taj Mahal.

How did the Mughal Empire use art from Islam?

The Mughal Empire used art from Islam combined with local art to create magnificent, airy structures with decorative geometric designs.

What did the artistic accomplishments of Mughal India show?

The artistic accomplishments of Mughal India showed the power of the rulers.

How did the Ottoman Empire change at this time?

The Ottoman Empire changed at this time because its rule was legitimized.

What were some continuities in the Ottoman Empire at the time?

Some continuities in the Ottoman Empire at the time was the continuity of the businesses of coffeehouses and foreign imports.

What was the Grand Bazar and why was it important?

The Grand Bazaar was a market located in Istanbul and was important because of its wide variety in goods such as spices, ceramics, textiles, etc.

Istanbul was a center of what: arts and learning

Describe the cultural contributions of the Ottoman Empire: Cultural contributions of the Ottomans included the restoration of some of the glorious buildings of Constantinople, most notably the cathedral of Saint Sophia which the Ottomans turned into a grand mosque

How did Versailles give Louis XIV power over these nobles?

Versailles gave Louis XIV power over these nobles by entertaining the nobles so much he kept them from conducting business elsewhere.

Russia

How did Peter the Great attempt to industrialize Russia?

Peter the Great attempted to industrialize Russia by establishing new industries owned by the state.

How did he increase revenue for Russia when industrialization didn’t bring in as much money as he wanted?

He increased revenue from Russia by raising taxes and compelling workers to work in the shipyard.

Financing Empires

…………

Ottoman/Mughal Empire

How did the Ottomans raise taxes to support their empire and military?

In order to raise taxes to support their empire and military, the Ottomans taxed other regions and communities.

How did tax farmers grow wealthy? Were they corrupt?

The tax farmers grew wealthy and corrupt from skimming money from the taxes in their areas.

What eventually contributed to the economic decline of the Mughal empire?

Agricultural villages continued to be burdened with the upkeep of officers and troops. This burden of taxes and the military would eventually contribute to the economic decline of the empire.

Ming Dynasty:

Who was responsible for collecting taxes in the Ming Dynasty?

Tax collection was the responsibility of private citizens, in this case wealthy families, each seeing to the collection of land taxes in their area of the countryside.

Taxes were collected in what form?

Taxes were collected first in the form of grains, and later silver.

Describe the tribute system. What empires have we learned about that utilized the tribute system?

Empires, including China, also collected tributes from other states as a way to demand recognition of their power and authority. Typically as a form of wealth, tributes were given as a sign of respect, submission, or allegiance. Some examples being Korea and China and the Mexica tribute system

Key term/event 

Definition (Think - Who, What, When, Where...) and Significance (Why this term matters)

Martin Luther

A former monk and reformer who challenged the Church for their practices with the 95 Theses.

Indulgences

A practice which grants a person absolution from the punishments for sin.

Simony

the selling of church offices.

95 Theses

A list that Martin Lutehr created that consisted of charges the Church had committed.

John Calvin

French theologian

The Elect

Those predestined to go to heaven.

Puritans

English Protestants who wanted to purify the Church of England of Catholic remnants.

Protestant Reformation

The Roman Catholic Church faced many challenges in the European shift

from feudalism to centralized governments. Efforts to curb corruption resulted in numerous Church councils and reform movements. However, efforts at reform were unsuccessful.

Anglicanism

a tradition within Christianity that originated in the Church of England and encompasses both its doctrine and practices. It is characterized by a middle way (via media) between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, emphasizing both scripture and tradition in its teachings

Henry VIII

One of the major figures of the Reformation and ruled 1509-1547.

Holy Synod

The Holy Synod was composed of clergymen overseen by a secular official who answered to the tsar.

Counter-Reformation

A battle to fight against the Protestant attacks.

Inquisition

a group of institutions within the Roman Catholic Church aimed at combating heresy, particularly during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Council of Trent

The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was a pivotal ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convened in response to the Protestant Reformation. Its main goals were to address issues of church reform and clarify Catholic doctrine.

Jesuits

The Jesuits, aka the Society of Jesus, was a religious order founded in 150

by Ignatius of Loyola, also opposed the spread of Protestantism.

Peace of Augsburg

The Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555, was a treaty between the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the Lutheran princes in Germany. It allowed each prince to determine the religion of his own territory.

Edict of Nantes

The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France, granted significant rights and protections to the Huguenots (French Protestants) and ended the French Wars of Religion. It allowed the Huguenots to practice their religion freely and established a degree of religious tolerance in a predominantly Catholic country.

30 Years’ War

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) was a protracted and destructive conflict primarily fought within the Holy Roman Empire. It began as a struggle between Catholic and Protestant states and evolved into a wider political war involving various European powers. The war had devastating effects, resulting in immense destruction and loss of life,

Shariah

Shariah is the Islamic law derived from the Quran and the Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad). It encompasses a comprehensive set of guidelines governing moral conduct, legal matters, and personal behavior, covering various aspects of life, including ethical principles, rituals, and communal responsibilities

The Safavids

The Safavids were a significant dynasty that ruled Persia (modern-day Iran) from the early 16th to the 18th century. They established Twelver Shiism as the state religion, marking a key transformation in Iran's religious landscape. The Safavid Empire is known for its cultural achievements, including advancements in art, architecture, and the development of a distinct Persian identity during a period of political and social consolidation.

Empiricism

Empiricism is a philosophical theory which asserts that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. It emphasizes observation and experimentation as the foundation of understanding, contrasting with rationalism, which prioritizes reason and innate ideas. Empiricism plays a crucial role in the scientific method, advocating that hypotheses should be tested through empirical evidence.

Objective

Key Developments

Explain the

continuity

and change

within the

various belief

systems

during the

period from

1450 - 1750.

Empires: Belief Systems

Why did King Henry IV convert to Catholicism?

Henry IV converted to Catholicism for the sake of of solidifying his power and ensuring peace

The split in Islam was between who and who?

The split in Islam was between the Ottoman and Safavid empires(politically) as well as Sunni and Shi’a Muslims.

Protestant Reformation:

What was the main challenge faced by the Roman Catholic Church?

The main challenge faced by the Roman Catholic Church was its shift from feudalism to a centralized government system.

Were efforts to reform the church successful?

Efforts to reform the church were unsuccessful.

What was John Wycliffe’s argument and why was he vilified?

Wycliffe’s argument was that priests were not needed for salvation and was vilified for translating parts of the Bible from Latin to English for the common public.

Who were the Hussites?

Hussites were followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia.

How did the Catholic Church suffer during the Babylonian Captivity, when the Catholic Church was located in France rather than Rome?

The Catholic Church suffered during the Babylonian Captivity because it gave French rulers greater influence over the Church, even the ability to decide who should be pope.

How was the Catholic Church affected by the Plague?

The Catholic Church was affected by the Plague because it failed to stop it with its “remedies”.

REFORM MOVEMENTS:

1 - Lutheranism

What did Martin Luther conclude and what did he object to about the church?

Martin Luther concluded that several traditional Church practices violated biblical teachings. He objected to the sale of indulgences, which granted a person absolution from the punishments of sin.

How did Luther speak out against the Catholic Church?

Luther spoke out against the Catholic Church by nailing his charges, also known as the 95 Theses, to a church door.

Describe Luther’s belief of “Sola Fide”:

Luther’s belief of “Sola Fide”, faith alone, was that it was the only thing needed for the basis of salvation for the Christian behavior.

Why did the church react harshly to Luther?

The church reacted harshly to Luther because it and the local political ruler needed the money the practices generated.

Luther’s ideas resulted in a split between what?

Luther’s ideas resulted in a split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

Describe Luther’s beliefs about women:

Luther’s belief about women was that they could have the equal amount of access to God as men did and that they had significant roles in society such as teaching their children to read the Bible.

2 - Calvinism

How did John Calvin believe the elect and the predestined should live?

John Calvin believed the elect and and predestined should live plainly, as anyone else.

What was the goal of the Calvinist Puritans?

The goal of the Calvinist Puritans was to purify the Church of England of Catholic remnants.

Calivinists were encouraged to work hard. Why?

Calivinists were encouraged to work hard in order for them to show God so that they could be in His favor.

3 - Anglicism

Why did Henry VIII split from the Catholic Church and install himself as the head of the Anglican (or Church of England) church?

Henry VII split from the Catholic Church and installed himself as the head of the Anglican church so that he could marry another woman after her wife died.

The Orthodox Church and Reforms in Russia

The Orthodox Church in Russia had been the unifying force in Russia between what two things?

The Orthodox Church in Russia had been the unifying force in Russia between the Holy Roman Empire and the Protestant Reformation.

How did Peter the Great assert his power of the Orthodox Church?

Peter the Great asserted his power of the Orthodox Church by abolishing the position of patriarch.

How did the Holy Synod keep the Orthodox church under government control?

The Holy Synod kept the Orthodox church under government control by diminishing the church's autonomy and making it more accountable to the state. By having the Holy Synod oversee church affairs, the government could influence religious policies, appointments, and administration. This helped to ensure that the church aligned with the interests of the state, effectively integrating religious authority with state power.

Why did Peter raise the age of people who could be monks?

Peter raised the age of people who could be monks because he preferred that the young men served first as soldiers.

The Counter-Reformation or Catholic Reformation

Why was the counter-reformation established?

The counter-reformation was established for the fight against the Protestant attacks.

Describe the following parts of the counter-reformation

❖ The Inquisition: established in the late 12th century to root out and punish nonbelievers.

❖ The Jesuits: also known as the Society of Jesus, the Jes

❖ The Council of Trent: corrected some of the worst of the Church’s abuses and concentrated on reaffirming the rituals such as marriage and other sacraments improving the education of priests.

How was the counter-reformation successful?

The counter-reformation was successful in that Catholicism remained

predominant in the areas of Western Europe near the Mediterranean Sea.

Why did Charles V give up his rule of the Holy Roman empire?

Charles V gave up his rule of the Holy Roman empire because he was discouraged from his lack of ability to stop the spread of Lutheranism.

Describe the actions of Philip II:

Philip II left Spain and the Holy Roman Empire to his brother Ferdinand.

Philip II took the Catholic crusade to the Netherlands and ruled its 1

provinces from 1556 to 1581. He later tried to conquer and convert England. In 1588, his Spanish Armada was defeated by the force of English naval troops.

Wars of Religion

What was the result of Europe’s religious division?

The result of Europe’s religious division was frequent wars.

What was the result of the Peace of Augsburg?

The result of the Peace of Augsburg was the permission of each German state to choose whether its ruler would be Catholic or Lutheran.

France

How did King Henry IV try to unify France?

King Henry IV tried to unify France by becoming a Catholic, and repeatedly saying that “Paris is well worth a Mass.”

What was the result of the Edict of Nantes?

The result of the Edict of Nantes was allowing the Huguenots to practice

their faith.

What was the result of the revocation of the edict?

The result of the cancellation of the edict was social and economic effects, some being skilled craftsman leaving France taking knowledge of important

industry techniques and styles with them.

Thirty Years’ War

What was the result of the Thirty Years’ War?

The result of the Thirty Years’ War was an economic catastrophe for most of the continent. Thirty Years’ War was initially the result of religious conflict within the

Holy Roman Empire it gradually developed into a more general conflict

involving European powers. Much of the destruction was caused by troops

who were allowed to loot as part of their compensation. The war resulted

in widespread famine, starvation, and disease.

List the chosen religion of the following regions after the Peace of Westphalia:

• France, Spain, and Italy: Catholic

• Northern Europe: either Lutheran or Calviist

• England: Protestant

What was the result of allowing rulers of the Holy Roman Empire to choose their own religion?

The result of allowing rulers of the Holy Roman Empire to choose their own religion were political. It gave the countries and duchies much more autonomy than they previously had. Consequently, the states of Prussia, now part of Germany and Austria, began to assert themselves, although they still legally belonged to the Holy Roman Empire.

How did Prussia begin to assert itself?

Prussia began to assert itself by developing a strong military to protect itself.

Islamic Religious Schisms (Splits)

Ottoman Empire:

What was the dominant religion of the Holy Roman Empire?

The dominant religion of the Holy Roman Empire was Eastern Orthodox.

How did becoming Muslim change the Ottoman Empire?

Becoming Muslim changed the Ottoman Empire because the dominant religion became Islam.

Safavid:

Describe the impact of Islam on the Safavid empire. 

The impact of Islam on the Safavid Empire was a force of unification.  Shah Ismail built a power base that supported his rule and denied legitimacy to any Sunni.

Were they Sunni or Shia?

They were Shi’a.

Mughal Toleration and Prosperity:

Akbar tolerated: all religions.

What was the result of Akbar supporting Sikhism? 

The result of Akbar supporting Sikhism was a period of religious tolerance.

How did Akbar try to ease tensions between Hindus and Muslims? 

He gave Hindus positions in his government---zamindars of high and low positions could be Hindu---and married Hindu wives. He exempted Hindus from poll taxes paid by non-Muslims in the empire.

Describe how Akbar tried to change the Mughal Empire before his death?

Akbar tried to change the Mughal Empire before his death by encouraging learning, art, architecture, and literature. He also tried, but failed, to prohibit child

marriages and sati, the ritual in which widows killed themselves by jumping

on the funeral pyres of their husbands.

Scientific Revolution:

What did scientific thought represent?

Scientific thought represented a very different kind of thinking, one based on reason rather than on faith, that would set in motion a monumental historical change.

What did Francis Bacon challenge with his ideas of empiricism?

Francis Bacon developed an early scientific method called empiricism, which insisted upon the collection of data to back up a hypothesis. Bacon challenged traditional ideas that had been accepted for centuries and replaced them with ones that could be demonstrated with evidence.

Scientific discovery continued as scientists worked together, even despite religious differences. Describe how Principa is an example of this?

Principa was an example of this as even though it was a combination of different ideas from different people, it influenced science and mathematics and helped

lead to a new vision of the world.

How did intellectuals believe science showed the world?

Many intellectuals thought that science showed that the world was ordered and rational and that natural laws applied to the rational and orderly progress of governments and society.

Objective

Key Developments

List 5 reasons the Gunpowder Empires were unable to maintain rule:

1. unable to compete with European trading companies, especially the British.

2. unable to resolve conflicts of heirs motivated by harem politics.

3. weak or corrupt leadership.

4. failure to keep up with developments in military and naval technology.

5. Religious conflicts

Describe the origin, roles, and mission of both types of soldier:

➔ Janissaries in the Ottoman Empire: helped to preserve the power of the Ottoman sultan and were often enslaved people taken from Christian areas of the Ottoman Empire.

➔ Ghulams in the Safavid Empire: people who helped to protect the Safavid shah from rival clans. They came from the Georgian, Armenian, or Circassian populations within the Safavid Empire.

Describe the following conflicts:

➔ Ottoman - Safavid wars: focused on religious problems.

➔ Safavid - Mughal conflicts: focused on control over resources and trade routes

Describe how the following land empires used bureaucracy to control populations:

➔ China: In China, the civil service examination system was used to assess the abilities of the members of the scholar-gentry who wished to enter government service.

➔ Ottoman Empire: the devshirme system provided the sultan with a ready-made pool of civil servants strictly loyal to him.

➔ Safavid Empire: the shah would enlist a class of bureaucrats from the Persian population of the empire, known as “the men of the pen.”

➔ Songhai Empire: the mansa, or  “sultan”, employed bureaucrats from the scholarly class educated in the schools, or madrasas, of Timbuktu.

➔ Incas: they didn’t use a dedicated scholarly system, however they did organize their empire into a federal system of provinces led by nobles loyal to their emperor.

How were the Aztecs different from other land empires and how did they control their empire? Describe the following systems of tax collection:

➔ Mughal tax collection: Mughal emperors appointed tax officers or zamindars to collect taxes from the peasant class based on land and production.

➔ Ottoman tax farming: Rather than employing government tax collectors, the Ottoman sultans appointed “tax farmers” to pay an annual fixed sum of money for an area to the central government and then recoup the outlay by collecting money or salable goods from the residents of the area. Many Janissaries were paid their salaries in this manner by collecting more money than they paid out to the central government.

➔ Aztec tribute lists: As the Aztecs or Mexica formed a tributary empire, the main source of revenue that supported the Aztec noble class and military came from yearly offerings or tributes from the surrounding areas. The lists included whichever local product was made or valued but could also include a demand for people, many of whom became human sacrifices in Aztec religious rituals.

➔ Ming collection of “hard currency”: The Ming Empire, like its predecessors, issued paper currency as a means to facilitate trade and tax collection however the use of paper money led to rampant counterfeiting and hyperinflation. The Ming then ordered that all taxes should be paid in the form of rice, and later silver coins, known as “hard currency.”

Summarize how rulers used religion, art, and monumental architecture to legitimize their rule:

➔ Religion: 

 • European monarchs claim a “divine right” that gave the monarch the mandate to rule by the Christian God.

• Conversion to Islam of Songhai rulers and noble class provides a religious and legal structure to the empire.

➔ Art:

•  Portraits of the Qing emperors and other high oɉcials

• Miniature paintings in the Ottoman Empire

• Financial support of artists by European rulers

➔ Monumental Architecture:

• Mausolea, such as the Taj Mahal and mosques in the Mughal Empire.

•  European palaces, such as the Palace of Versailles in France and El Escorial in Spain.