AP World Unit 3 Topic 1

Land-Based Empires Expansion

Contextualizing the Land-Based Empires’ Expansion

  • The fall of the Mongol Khanates combined with the spread of gunpowder technology from China facilitated the expansion of the Gunpowder Empires, which include:

    • Ottoman Empire

    • Safavid Empire

    • Mughal Empire

    • Russian Empire

  • The period of expansion spans from 1450 to 1750.

  • Characteristics of the Gunpowder Empires:

    • Highly militaristic

    • Significant artistic and architectural legacies created to legitimize the rule of leaders

  • Empires were able to push into weaker areas and sometimes completely replaced previous empires.

  • Qing Empire in China also experienced expansion and prosperity during this time.

  • European growth led to transoceanic connections with the Americas, significantly impacting global trade.

  • Varying belief systems resulted in many disputes among these empires.

  • There was a growth in armed trade during this period.

European and Russian Expansion

Europe

  • 1450 marks the end of the Medieval period and the transition into the Early Modern Period in Europe:

    • The period witnessed significant societal changes:

    • Plagues that decimated populations ended.

    • The 100 Year War concluded.

    • The Introduction of the Printing Press, leading to increased literacy.

  • Emergence of new monarchies that began to:

    • Centralize power through various means:

    • Control over tax collection

    • Centralization of military forces

    • Influence over religious practices

    • These leaders sought to reduce the power of the nobility.

Russia

  • Ivan IV's ascension as tsar in 1547 marked a significant expansionist phase for Russia, focusing eastward:

    • Russia took control of the last Khanates held by the descendants of the Golden Horde.

    • Expansion efforts primarily relied on gunpowder technology.

    • The eastern expansion aimed at controlling the lucrative fur trade.

    • Cossacks were enlisted as fierce warriors to aid against Siberian khans.

    • Control over the Volga River was achieved, facilitating direct contact with the Ottoman Empire.

    • THe control of the Volga River allowed the Russian empire to link central Asia to the Caspian Sea, establishing direct contact with the Safavid and Ottoman Empire.

    • Ultimately, Russia expanded to the Pacific Ocean, dominating the fur trade and converting many native peoples to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

East Asia Expansion

Historical Context

  • The Yuan Dynasty, founded by Mongol leader Kublai Khan, was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

  • The Ming Dynasty stabilized China for over 300 years until European powers, notably Portugal, attempted to control Asian trade routes.

  • The Ming was succeeded by the Qing Dynasty via gunpowder, which was established by the Manchu people from Manchuria, remaining in power until 1911.

  • The rise of the Qing illustrates the pattern of gunpowder empires replacing existing ones.

Important Qing Rulers

  • Emperor Kangxi (r. 1661 - 1722)

    • One of China’s longest reigning emperors, overseeing a period of peace and stability.

    • Expanded Chinese territories into Taiwan, Mongolia, and Central Asia.

    • Enforced a protectorate over Tibet and Northern India, reflecting China’s historical claim to power over these regions.

  • Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736 - 1796)

    • Ruled during a time of high tax collection and efficient governance.

    • Oversaw violent expansions of Chinese borders which led to ongoing conflicts.

    • Installed the Dalai Lama in Tibet as a religious authority.

    • Engaged in expensive military campaigns in Tibet and Burma, which depleted the treasury and were ultimately unsuccessful.

Financial Troubles during Qianlong's Reign

  • Qianlong granted trading rights to certain European nations seeking to bolster income, but Britain sought greater access.

    • He famously turned down King George III's trading proposal citing a lack of need for British goods and ceased trade.

  • The once-effective Qing bureaucracy became corrupt, leading to increased taxes amidst discontent.

  • The rise of the White Lotus Society indicated a movement to restore the Ming Dynasty, which was brutally suppressed, resulting in the deaths of 100,000 peasants.

Islamic Gunpowder Empires Expansion

  • The expansion of Gunpowder Empires was enabled by:

    • Strong militaries

    • The weakness and corruption of existing empires

    • European nations preoccupied with internal conflicts

  • Tamerlane, also known as Timur, set a precedent for the rise of these Gunpowder Empires:

    • He claimed descent from Genghis Khan and was a significant figure in the Central Asian steppes, inspiring the ghazi ideal, which encouraged Islamic warriors.

    • Conquered regions including Persia, Iraq, Syria, and what was left of the Mongol territories, showcasing the effectiveness of gunpowder in warfare.

    • Although his empire did not endure, he established military traditions that influenced future Islamic Condensed empires, including being succeeded by his grandson Babur, who founded the Mughal Empire in 1526 CE.

The Ottoman Empire Expansion (1300 - 1918)

  • The Ottoman Empire distinguished itself by effectively utilizing gunpowder technology and emerged as the largest and most durable Islamic empire, strategically located for trade.

Key Leaders

  • Mehmed II - The Conqueror

    • Utilized siege weapons and gunpowder to capture the fortified city of Constantinople, which later became the Ottoman capital.

    • Significant for trade, the capital's location facilitated further expansion around the Black Sea and development of the Navy, which asserted dominance over Venice, who was forced to pay tribute.

  • Suleiman I - The Magnificent

    • Regin was the peak of the empire’s territorial power

    • Led the empire to its zenith, successfully deploying troops deep into Christian Europe, reaching Vienna.

    • By 1522, his forces conquered the island of Rhodes, previously held by Christian Knights.

    • In the 1550s, he captured Tripoli in North Africa.

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

  • The decline began after Suleiman's reign, characterized by several weak sultans and the rise of potent European neighbors.

  • Influential factors included:

    • "Harem Politics," which led to weakened succession lines

    • Russian expansion into Ottoman territories

    • The independence of Greece

    • Increased involvement of Great Britain and France in Ottoman affairs ultimately contributing to the empire's fall by 1922.

The Safavid Empire Expansion (1501 - 1722)

  • Despite lacking a navy and natural defenses, the Safavid Empire rose to prominence due to its strong military, led by Ismail who became the first Shah at age 15, expanding into Iraq and Iran.

Key Leader

  • Shah Abbas I

    • Oversaw the empire's height, impressing Christian boys into military service.

    • Imported European weapons and technologies to modernize military approaches.

    • Emphasized the use of Shi'a Islam as a unifying force, denying legitimacy to Sunni rulers, exacerbating tensions with the Ottoman Empire which persist today.

    • Implemented trade bans against the Safavid to maintain Ottoman dominance.

Women in the Safavid Empire

  • Women wore veils similar to their Muslim counterparts but enjoyed some rights, including inheritance and divorce.

Decline of the Safavid Empire

  • The Empire weakened due to ineffectual leadership, high military expenditures, luxurious lifestyles, and Sunni rebellions.

  • Territory lost to Russia and the Ottomans, leading to chaos and the eventual rise of the Zand Dynasty.

The Mughal Empire Expansion

  • Established in the 1520s by Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane, who unified India into the Mughal Empire.

Achievements Under Akbar the Great

  • Akbar, Babur's grandson, transformed the Mughal Empire into one of the wealthiest and best-governed states globally.

    • The empire thrived in overseas trade of textiles, spices, and precious stones, receiving gold and silver in return.

  • Society became increasingly stratified due to the growth of the caste system.

  • Notable for magnificent architectural achievements symbolized by structures like the Taj Mahal.

  • The Mughal Empire engaged in significant land expansion analogous to the territorial strategies of Russia.

Decline of the Mughal Empire

  • The Empire faced corruption and failure to modernize militarily compared to external threats, rendering its forces inferior.

  • Tensions between Hindu and Muslim populations culminated in revolts, creating instability that allowed European powers, specifically the French and British, to assert dominance in India.