Unit 3 Review
Land-Based Empires Expand, Legitimize, and Consolidate
their rule.
3.1 - Expansion
Essential Question: How did certain land-based empires
develop and expand in the period from 1450-1750?
3.1 - Expansion
Context
The fall of the Mongol Khanates combined with the spread of gunpowder from China allowed
the Gunpowder Empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Russian) to expand and grow in the
period of 1450-1750.
These Gunpowder Empires were highly militaristic but left great artistic and architectural
legacies, created to legitimize the rule of their leaders.
The Qing Empire of China also expanded and prospered, and Europe’s growth led to
transoceanic connections with the Americas.
Varying belief systems lef to many disputes between empires in this time. Armed trade grew.
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3.1 - Europe and Russia Expand
EUROPE: RUSSIA:
➔ 1450 signals the end of the Medieval ➔ Ivan IV becomes Tsar in 1547 and
period and the beginning of the Early wants to expand Russia East.
Modern Period in Europe ◆ Takes control of last Khanates
◆ Plagues had ended held by Golden Horde
◆ End of the 100 Year War descendants.
◆ Introduction of the Printing Press ◆ Expansion relied on
- Increased Literacy Gunpowder.
➔ New monarchies begin to grow, ➔ Focused on expanding East to control
explore, and establish colonies. the fur trade.
◆ Leaders centralized power by: ◆ Hired Cossacks - fierce warriors
● Controlling taxes - to help Siberian khans.
● Centralizing the military ◆ Took control of the Volga River-
● Controlling religion Important because now Russia
➔ Leaders worked to control the power has direct contact with the
of the nobility. Ottoman Empire.
➔ Russia eventually is able to expand as
far East as the Pacific Ocean.
◆ Dominated fur trade.
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◆ Missionaries converted many to
3.1 - East Asia Expands
Context: The Yuan Dynasty - founded by Mongol leader Kublai Khan was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in
1368. Ming rulers stabilized power for over 300 years until Portugal and other European nations came in to try
and dominate Asian trade routes. The Ming were overthrown by the foreign Manchu people from Manchuria
Important Qing Rulers: who established the Qing Dynasty which remained until 1911. .
FINANCIAL TROUBLES:
★ Emperor Kangxi - One of China’s longest rulers - ❖ Qianlong gives trading rights to
1661 - 1722 (Very peaceful time) some Europeans to make some $
○ Expanded China into Taiwan, Mongolia, C. $ but the British wanted more.
Asia . Imporsed a protectorate over Tibet ➢ Qianlong tells King George
he doesn’t need British
and N. India which reflects China’s power
goods and cuts of trade.
today. ❖ The usually efficient bureaucracy
★ Emperor Qianlong - 1736 - 1796 Came in at a becomes corrupt and continues
time of very high tax collecting and efficient to increase taxes.
governing. ❖ The White Lotus Society
○ Violently expanded Chinese borders - conflict reforms to try and reestablish the
still exists today. Ming Dynasty
➢ The government
○ Installed the Dalai Lama in Tibet
suppresses it and kills
○ Expensive campaigns in Tibet and Burma 100,000 peasants.
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3.1 - Islamic Gunpowder Empires Expand
Gunpowder Empires were able to expand because
they had very strong militaries, the empires they
were replacing were weak and corrupt, and Europe
was busy fighting against itself.
❏ The Rule of Tamerlane set the stage for the
rise of the Gunpowder empires.
❏ Built a government dependent on the
military that encouraged the arts and
learning.
❏ Started in Samarkand and butally spread
through Persia and Indian.
❏ Began the ghazi ideal which encouraged
Islamic warriors for centuries.
❏ Ineffective rule eventually ended the rule of
Tamerlane, but traditions established by his
empire led to the Islamic gunpowder empires.
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3.1 - Ottoman Empire Expands (1300s - 1918)
The Ottoman Empire used gunpowder to establish itself. This
empire was the largest and most enduring of the great Islamic Decline: After Suleiman, the Ottomans
empires, with a great location for trade. had a string of weak Sultans and strong
Leaders: European neighbors. “Harem Politics
“weakened succession, the Russian
➔ Mehmed II - the Conqueror empire expanded into Ottoman territory,
◆ Used siege weapons and gunpowder to overtake the Greece became indepent, and Great
highly fortified city of Constantinople and establish Britain and France got more involved in
the ottoman capital. the Empire leading to it’s fall by 1922.
● The city was a nexus of trade with a great
location.
◆ Expanded to lands around the Black sea and built up
the Navy to counter Venice, who he forced to pay a
yearly tax.
➔ Suleiman I - Ottoman empire reaches its peak.
◆ Able to send troops all the way into Christian Europe
(Vienna) which freaked Europe out!
◆ By 1522 Suleiman's army had conquered the island of
Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which had been held by
Christian Knights.
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◆ 1550s - Took Tripoli in North Africa
3.1 - The Safavid Empire Expands (1501 - 1722)
Despite not having a navy or natural defenses, the Safavids
came to power because of their strong military led by 15 year Decline: Ineffectual leaders, high military
old Ismail who pushed into Iraq and Iran becoming the first spending, lavish lifestyles and Sunni
Shah. rebellions led to a weakened Safavid
Empire. Russia and the Ottomans were
Leaders: able to seize territory and after years of
➔ Shah Abbas I - Presided over the empire at its height. chaos the Safavids fell and was replaced
◆ Impressed Christian boys into his military. by the Zand Dynasty.
◆ Imported weapons from Europe and utilized
European technology and advice in war.
◆ Controlled religion - used Shi’a Islam as a unifying
force and denied legitimacy to any Sunni ruler.
● This leads to tension with the Ottoman empire
(Sunni) which still exists in modern day Iraq and
Iran.
● Ottomans used trade bans against the Safavid
to assert dominance.
➔ Women in the Safavid Empire - Wore a veil like their
Muslim counterparts, but had some freedoms like inheritance
and divorce. 8
3.1 - The Mughal Empire Expands
In the 1520’s Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane, finally
centralized India in the Mughal empire.
★ Under Akbar the Great, Babur’s grandson, the
Mughal Empire was one of the richest and best-
governed states in the world.
○ Overseas trade of goods like textiles, spices,
and precious stones flourished. The got gold
and silver.
★ The Indian Caste System grew and controlled
society.
★ Magnificent architectural achievements are a
hallmark of Mughal culture.
★ The Mughal empire was known for overland
expansion, much like Russia.
Decline: Corruption and failure to keep up militarily
compared to external forces weakened the Hindu Mughal
empire. Tensions between Hindu and Muslim populations
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caused revolts and this instability allowed the French
3.2 -
Administration
Essential Question: How did rulers in the land-based
empires legitimize and consolidate their rule?
3.2 - Centralizing Control in Europe
England:
France:
❏ King James I - Divine right of the ❏ Henry IV and Louis XIV - Divine right of
king. the king.
❏ To disobey the king, is also to ❏ Believed king should have absolute
disobey God. power combining all process of law into
❏ Makes king the head of the one person.
government and the powerful ❏ Bureaucratic elites - Intendants or tax
church. farmers.
❏ Beuraucratic Elites - the Justice of ❏ Functioned similarly to JOP - specifically
the Peace collected taxes.
❏ Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles to
❏ Had the power to collect taxes and
keep his nobles close and ensure their loyalty.
enforce laws in the name of the king. ❏ Failure to share power like the English king did
❏ Weakened feudal lords and with parliament eventually weakened France.
legitimized the power of the king.
❏ Checks to power:
❏ Parliament
❏ English Bill of Rights - Ensured
individual civil liberties. Big deal! 11
3.2 - Centralizing Control in the Russian Empire
❏ Strict social classes with the Boyars (rich ❏ Peter the Great: Defeated his sister and a
people who own land) at the top and the boyar led army (the Streltsy) to take control
serfs at the bottom kept Russian social after Ivan.
structure the same as it had always been. ❏ Consolidated rule by eliminating threats.
❏ Ivan IV: Hated the Boyars - thought they ❏ Supported the church, but reforms made
would overthrow him. him lose their favor.
❏ Forced boyar families to live in Moscow ❏ Reorganized Russia into provinces
like Louis XIV ❏ Used bureaucratic elites (paid
❏ Created the Oprichnina - a secret government officials) to collect taxes.
police loyal to Ivan who kept an eye on ❏ Created a senate to inform his
the Boyars. decisions.
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3.2 - Centralizing Control in the Ottoman Empire
To consolidate control over vast lands:
❖ Devshirme System - Staffs military
and government with Christian boys
stolen and forced to serve.
❖ Christian boys were taken because
they were not “people of the book”
❖ Taught skills in politics, art, and the
military. Received high levels of
education and jobs as scribes, tax-
collectors, and diplomats.
❖ Janissaries - Elite devshirme. Formed
elite of Ottoman military
➢ Fiercely loyal to the sultan.
➢ Provided a parth to upward
mobility.
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3.2 - Centralizing Control in China and the Mughal Empire
China (Ming) Mughal (India)
➔ The Ming consolidated rule by erasing all ➔ Akbar:
vestiges of the previous Mongol rulers of the ◆ Extended the Mughal borders and
Yuan dynasty. created fairly administered laws.
◆ Brought back the civil service exam. ● All could appeal to him in lawsuits.
◆ Improved education and made a ◆ Capable men came to serve him after
national school system. learning of his brilliance.
◆ Reestablished the bureaucracy, which ◆ Created a very strong centralized
was unused by the Mongols. government.
➔ Bureaucratic elites - Zamindars- In charge
China (Qing)
of specific duties like taxation.
➔ Effective bureaucracy became corrupt. ◆ Paid by keeping portion of taxes. After
➔ Levied high taxes on the people. Akbar left, the Zamindars became
➔ Used a harsh military to control and put corrupt and rich, building armies loyal to
down rebellions and maintain authority. them.
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3.2 - Centralizing Control in Japan
Context: The Tokugawa Shogunate consolidated power by:
● Japan was ruled by military leaders called ● Creating centralized control and ending the
Shoguns, but they were in constant conflict feudal system.
with landholding aristocrats called the ● Dividing Japan into 250 hans, or territories,
daimyo, leaving Japan fractured. each controlled by a Daimyo.
○ Each daimyo had an army of samurai ○ BUT they forced the Daimyos to have
loyal only to him. two homes - one of which was in the
● Gunpowder allowed 3 powerful daimyo to capital - making the family stay in the
take control and consolidate power in Japan. capital so they Daimyo would not gain
○ Oda Nobunaga used gunpowder to power when they were away (like Russia
unify ⅓ of Japan. and France).
○ Toyotomi Hideyoshi followed
Nobunaga and expanded until all of
Japan was united.
○ Tokugawa Ieyasu followed him and
his successors ruled Japan into the mid-
19th century in what is called the
Period of Great Peace.
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3.2 - Legitimizing Power through Art and Architecture.
Europe: Mughal Empire and Shah Jahan
1. Divine Right of the Monarchy 1. Taj Mahal beautiful structure.
2. Palace of Versailles - Keep the 2. Combined the arts of islam with local arts to
nobles close! Look how rich I am! create a syncretic system of design seen
throughout India.
St. Petersburg and Peter the Great a. All of this shows power of the emperor.
3. New, highly-organized Russian capital Ottoman Empire.
4. Close to the boyars to Peter could keep 3. Art and architecture like the Suleymaniye
an eye on them. Mosque was built to show the power of the
5. Famous architecture, built on very king and mixed old and new traditions.
organized streets, like the Winter 4. Topkapi palace - the royal residence of the
sultans.
Palace. 5. Restored landmarks from Constantinople like
6. Built to show how European Russia the Cathedral of Saint Sophia which the
was. Ottomans turned into a mosque.
Askia the Great of Songhai
7. United Songhai in Africa by making
Islam the united religion - legitimize 16
3.2 - Consolidating and Legitimizing Power Through Finances
In every empire around the world, they had Ming:
to find a way to make money to continue ➢ Private citizens (wealthy families) collected
their rule. taxes and paid them to the empire.
Russia: ➢ Taxes were grain and later silver.
Tribute Systems:
➢ Industries (ship building and iron
mines) owned completely by the state. 1. China collected tribute from Korea
2. Aztec had many tribute nations, but also
Private industry was encouraged.
collected taxes from citizens.
➢ Peasants were taxed heavily - pushed 3. Songhai Empire had tribute nations
further into serfdom.
Ottoman and Mughal:
➢ Ottoman - tax farming and heavy
taxes on peasants
➢ Mughal - Zamindar tax collection
system.
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3.3 - Beliefs
Essential Question: How did different belief systems endure
or change during the period from 1450 - 1750?
Religion.
Religion was an important force in empire building at this time. It acted as a unifier in
some places, and as a divisive element in others. Religion was so important, that some
rulers from Henry IV of France converted (he to Catholicism) to solidify their power
and ensure their rule.
This time is also marked by two major religion schisms (splits) on in Catholicism and
another in Islam. .
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3.3 - Protestant Reformation
As Europe shifted from feudalism to a centralized the government, the corrupt Catholic church began to face many
challenges. Reform movements were unsuccessful, the church moved to France during the Babylonian Captivity
which gave French rulers unbalanced power, and the church failed to stop the Black Death.
John Wycliffe: John Calvin: Anglicanism
❖ Priests are not necessary for ❖ Broke with the Catholic church ❖ Henry VIII wanted a
salvation. to create Calvinism. divorce and the Catholic
❖ Translated the Bible into ❖ Plain living, simple buildings, Church wouldn’t have it,
English. governance by church so he created the new
Martin Luther: officials. Church of England, free
❖ Disliked indulgences (paying ❖ Calvinism eventually morphs of control of the pope.
for sins) and simony (buying into puritanism. The Puritans
church offices) and believed in come to the New World! These are the main movements
“Sola Fide” or “Faith alone” ❖ Calvinists believed the elect of the Protestant Reformation -
for salvation. were predestined to go to the break of Protestant religions
❖ 95 Thesis heaven. from the Catholic Church.
❖ Thought women should have ❖ Believed God favored hard
more of a role in religion. word. 20
3.3 - Counter Reformation
The all powerful church did not sit quietly while the Protestant Reformation spread. They led their own counter-
❖ The Inquisition reformation that was made up of three parts
➢ Formal movement to root
❖ The Jesuits ❖ The Council of Trent
out and punish non-
➢ Undertook missionary ➢ Tried to correct some
believers. They used
torture sometimes! activity in the Spanish of the worst problems
Empire as well as Japan in the Church.
and Indian to spread ➢ Banned protestant books
Catholicism. ➢ Reaffirmed some
practices of the Catholic
Church.
The counter-reformation kept Catholicism the main religion in W. Europe and the Mediterranean
region. Also, as Catholic nations began to colonize, Catholicism spread to the new world.
Protestantism (lutheranism) did spread, however, causing Charles V to leave his throne in the Holy
Roman Empire because he was so ashamed. German nobles helped support the growth of
Lutheranism in Germany so the reformation did get support in some European nations.
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3.3 - Wars of Religion
Europe’s religious divisions led to lots of wars.
1. Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire fought
German Lutherans.
a. Ended in the Peace of Augsburg which
allowed each German state to choose if 3. The Thirty Years’ War - Religious conflict starting in
its ruler would be Catholic or Lutheran. the Holy Roman Empire (Germany) and eventually
2. In France, Catholics fought against the including numerous nations of Europe.
Protestant Huguenots for over 50 years. ● Devastated the European continent in many
a. Henry IV tied to end the wars by places.
becoming Catholic. ● Resulted in famine and disease.
b. He also issues the Edict of Nantes, ● Ended in the Peace of Westphalia which allowed
which allowed Huguenots to practice each region of the Holy Roman Empire to become
their faith. This kept peace in France for Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Calvinist.
87 years under the Revocation of the ○ Gave each portion of the Holy Roman
Edict Empire more power than they were
i. This negatively impacted France used to!
with many skilled craftsmen ○ Prussia and Austria begin to assert
leaving France. 22 themselves as an independent nation.
3.3 - Islamic Religious Schisms
Ottoman:
Safavid : Mughal:
❏ Islam was the dominant ❏ Shi’a Islam was the ❏ Akbar consolidated and unified
religion.
dominant religion. his empire by tolerating all
❏ Used Muslim Sharia law ❏ Rulers denied legitimacy to religions!
code to consolidate rule. ❏
any Sunni. He tried to make his own
❏ Sunni Islam - some ❏ Created hostilities with religions that blended Islam,
tolerance under Suleiman,
the Ottomans. Hinduism, and Sikhism but it
but not much after him. ❏ It was mandatory to be didn't work out.
Shi’a ❏ Known for religious harmony!
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3.3 - Scientific Revolution
In the 1600’s in Europe, scientific thinking and the ideas of the Renaissance like curiosity, discovery,
and investigation began to spread.
In a time of religious schisms and wars, the Scientific Revolution presented the ideas of thinking
based on reason rather than faith called empiricism.
The ideas that the world was orderly and rational took hold, eventually leading to the Enlightenment.
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THE END
Go forth and study.
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