Unit 3 - Gunpowder Empires and Changes in Religion Flashcards
Gunpowder empires
Empires that were able to increase in power during 1450 - 1750 after the fall of the Mongol empire. All these empires were land based, all expanding geographically by utilizing gunpowder.
Gunpowder
a game-changing innovation that had been developed in China prior to the Mongol age, but it took a while for technology to make it an effective battlefield tool. for several empires, enabling them to assert control over vast territories. The Ottomans notably utilized advanced cannons to conquer Constantinople in 1453, renaming it Istanbul and solidifying their dominance. Similarly, the Mughal Emperor Babur employed cannons and muskets effectively, neutralizing the cavalry of the Sultan of Delhi at the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Additionally, the Russians leveraged gunpowder weaponry to defeat the remnants of the Mongol Khanate of Crimea in 1532, showcasing the widespread adoption of this technology.
Ottoman Empire
Government: The Ottomans ruled under a Sultan, considered a caliph (Islamic leader) as well. The Sultan held absolute power, advised by a Grand Vizier and a council. Local governors (pashas) oversaw provinces with a degree of autonomy.
Policies: The Ottomans maintained a millet system, granting some autonomy to different religious groups (Christians, Jews) within the empire. They focused on military expansion and controlling trade routes, particularly the strategically important Dardanelles straits.
Internal Conflicts: Despite the millet system, tensions arose between different religious groups. Janissaries, a powerful elite military corps, sometimes revolted against the Sultan. Corruption and a decline in central authority also plagued the empire later in its history.
Safavid Empire
Government: The Safavids were a hereditary monarchy ruled by a Shah (king). Shia Islam became the state religion, creating friction with neighboring Sunni empires.
Policies: Shah Ismail I established a centralized government and promoted Shia Islam throughout the empire. Shah Abbas I reformed the Safavid military, incorporating gunpowder technology, and expanded the empire’s borders.
Internal Conflicts: The Safavids faced constant conflict with the Ottomans due to religious differences. Sunni minorities within the empire also rebelled against Shia rule. Internal struggles for power and succession also weakened the empire at times.
Mughal Empire
Government: The Mughals initially ruled under a centralized monarchy led by a Padishah (emperor). Akbar the Great implemented a more tolerant religious policy, allowing Hindus and other religions to hold high positions. A strong bureaucracy managed the vast empire.
Policies: Akbar’s religious tolerance helped create a period of peace and prosperity. The Mughals also focused on infrastructure development and introduced new agricultural techniques.
Internal Conflicts: Later Mughal emperors were less tolerant, leading to religious tensions. Provincial governors sometimes challenged central authority. Weakening leadership and economic problems contributed to the empire’s decline.
Qing Dynasty
Government: The Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty adopted aspects of Chinese imperial traditions while maintaining their own identity. The emperor held absolute power, assisted by a council of advisors.
Policies: The Qing tried to assimilate with the Han Chinese majority, adopting Confucian ideology and promoting cultural exchange. They maintained a strong military presence and focused on internal stability.
Internal Conflicts: Despite assimilation efforts, some Han Chinese resented Manchu rule, leading to rebellions. Social and economic inequalities also caused internal tensions. The Qing Dynasty struggled to adapt to Western influence in the later 19th century.
Tensions between Gunpowder empires
All the gunpowder empires had similar desire for power/money/control etc, causing tensions between the 4. AN example of conflict was the Safavid-Mughal conflict, a series of wars occuring between the two over dominance of Central Asia. However, the conflict first erupted due to religious conflicts, since Safavids were Shia and Mughals were Sunni, leading to wars spanning across decades with no clear winner. Another conflict was the Songhai-Moroccan conflict. The Songhai empire expanded significantly in the 1600s due to partial control of trans-saharan trade, but weakened due to internal conflicts and the Moroccan kingdom took advantage of that to gain more access to trans-saharan trade
Changes in the Catholic Church in 1500
The popes were able to gain the wealth to produce mass structures like the Basilica because of the selling of Indulgences and Simony, which were both very corrupt practices. More powerful monarchs would begin challenging the power of the popes in Europe later on.
Indulgences
n the teaching of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is “a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins”. A little slip of paper saying you’re free from sin if you buy it.
Simony
Simony is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things.
Martin Luther
Catholic monk who was very troubled about the selling of indulgences and simony. He wrote the 95 theses in order to protest against this, and nailed them to the church door, which led him to be excommunicated. WHile other people also did similar protests, Martin Luther’s work split the Roman Catholic Church in what was known as the Protestant Reformation. This is because Luther had the printing press, and was able to send his protests all throughout Europe very quickly. The reformers rejected the authority of the pope as well as many of the principles and practices of Catholicism of that time. The essential tenets of the Reformation are that the Bible is the sole authority for all matters of faith and conduct and that salvation is by God’s grace and by faith in Jesus Christ.This Reformation was reacted to with the Catholic Reformation.
Catholic Reformation
Upon the Catholic Church realizing Protestant complaints may be true, the Catholic Reformation (or Counter Reformation). The Church would gather at a series of meetings known as the Council of Trent to toss out corrupt practices of the church like Nepotism and absenteeism. At the council, the Catholic Church reaffirmed old doctrines and restating salvation was gained by both faith and works, and nature of biblical authority. This made the split between Catholics and Protestants permanent. This led to various rulers across Europe either remaining Catholic or imposing Protestantism upon the people they ruled.
Changes in Islam in the Middle East during 1450-1750
The Safavids were Shia and the Ottomans were Sunni, both fought against each other in order to gain dominance. The split between Shia and Sunni Muslims intensified because of this conflict.
Changes to Religion in South Asia
Muslims held power in the Mughal Empire, which was upsetting to the Hindu majority. Two belief systems emerged to bridge the gap between Islam and Hinduism. There was the Bhakti movement which blended with Sufism due to shared beliefs and practices. Sikhism also emerged to blend elements of Islam and Hinduism. Was able to demonstrate continuity because it represented doctrines from both belief systems. Also developed change because it led to the caste system being discarded.
