UNIT 3
🏰 UNIT 3: Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–1750)
Main Idea: Several large empires expanded their power by conquering land and centralizing their governments. These were mostly Islamic, Asian, and European empires that relied on military power, bureaucracies, and belief systems to legitimize rule.
🗺 1. Major Land-Based Empires
Empire | Location | Key Rulers | Religion |
|---|---|---|---|
Ottoman | Middle East, SE Europe, N. Africa | Suleiman the Magnificent | Sunni Islam |
Safavid | Persia (modern Iran) | Shah Abbas I | Shi’a Islam |
Mughal | India | Akbar the Great | Islam (rulers); majority Hindu |
Qing | China | Kangxi, Qianlong | Confucianism |
Russian | Eastern Europe, Siberia | Ivan IV (the Terrible), Peter the Great | Eastern Orthodox Christianity |
Europe (Spain, France, etc.) | Centralized monarchies | Louis XIV (France), Philip II (Spain) | Christianity (Catholic & Protestant) |
🧱 2. How They Built Power
🔫 Military:
Gunpowder weapons like cannons and muskets helped Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals expand (called “Gunpowder Empires”)
Russia built strong military to conquer Siberia and resist Mongols
🏛 Government:
Centralized bureaucracies (tax collectors, governors)
Used civil service or military systems (like the Ottoman devshirme)
🧑🏾🤝🧑🏼 3. Religious Tolerance & Conflict
Empire | Policy | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Mughal (Akbar) | Tolerant: abolished jizya (tax on non-Muslims) | United Hindus and Muslims |
Safavid vs. Ottoman | Shi’a vs. Sunni conflict | Religious wars |
Europe | Catholic-Protestant divide → Thirty Years’ War | Devastation & peace treaties (Peace of Westphalia) |
🕌 4. Legitimizing Rule
🔮 Religion:
European rulers claimed “divine right” to rule (God chose them)
Islamic rulers used the title of caliph (religious + political leader)
Qing China used the Mandate of Heaven and Confucianism
🎨 Art & Architecture:
Ottomans: Built the Süleymaniye Mosque
Mughals: Built the Taj Mahal
France: Built Palace of Versailles to show off power
💰 5. Tax Systems & Control
Empire | Tax Method |
|---|---|
Ottoman | Tax farming – contractors collected taxes |
Mughal | Zamindars – local officials who collected tax |
Qing | Collected taxes in silver, used civil service exam |
📌 These helped fund armies, buildings, and governments.
📚 6. Cultural & Political Changes
Islamic empires blended Turkic, Persian, and Arab culture
China’s Qing dynasty promoted Confucian education, but ruled over many non-Han groups
Europe began centralizing monarchies (absolutism in France vs. limited monarchy in England)
🧠 KEY THEMES TO REMEMBER:
Theme | Summary |
|---|---|
🔫 Gunpowder Empires | Military tech allowed empires to expand |
🏛 Centralization | Leaders built bureaucracies and armies |
🕌 Religion | Used for legitimacy and sometimes caused conflict |
🧾 Taxation | Funded empire-building and control |
🎨 Art/Architecture | Expressed power and cultural identity |
🔑 MUST-KNOW TERMS:
Gunpowder empires
Divine right of kings
Devshirme system
Zamindars
Tax farming
Shi’a vs. Sunni conflict
Taj Mahal, Versailles
Civil service exam
Mandate of Heaven