Unit 3: Topic 1 - Empires Expand

Question 1

Gunpowder Empires

Answer 1

The term “Gunpowder Empires” refers to large, multiethnic states in Central, South, and Southwest Asia that relied on gunpowder weaponry, such as firearms, to conquer and control territories. In addition to Russia, the empires included three Islamic empires: the Ottoman, the Safavid, and the Mughal Empires. They tended to be militaristic, but they also left important artistic and architectural legacies. Each empire also had different ways to legitimize their authority.

Question 2

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

Answer 2

Ivan IV expanded the border of Russia eastward through taking more land from Mongol control. He gained control of the Volga River (which connects to Caspian Sea), allowing Russia to trade with the Persian and Ottoman Empire without worrying about Mongols. He did this by using a lot of gunpowder and using groups of warrior-peasants called Cossacks.

Question 3

Mehmed II

Answer 3

Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. He then focused on areas around the Black Sea and the Balkans, using cannons and navy. He almost conquers Venice, but then establishes a sort of tribute system with taxes paid from Italy to them.

Question 4

Suleiman I

Answer 4

Suleiman I ruled the Ottoman Empire when it was at its peak. Under him, the Ottoman Empire conquered parts of Hungary and almost conquered Austria, creating fear throughout Western Europe. He also conquered parts of Greece and Tripoli in North Africa.

Question 5

Flaws of the Safavid Empire

Answer 5

The empire lacked a real navy and lacked natural defenses, so it was difficult for it to expand.

Question 6

Shah Abbas I

Answer 6

Under him, the Safavid Empire used imported weapons from Europe, in an effort to expand the empire further into Persia toward the Ottoman Empire. He used Shi’a Islam as a unifying force and created a power base that supported his rule.

Question 7

Babur

Answer 7

Babur’s conquests in Northern India and the expansion of his territory led to the creation of the Mughal Empire.

Question 8

Akbar

Answer 8

Akbar greatly expanded trade within the Mughal Empire, resulting in wealth and the Golden Age of the empire.

Question 9

Emperor Kangxi

Answer 9

Emperor Kangxi expands to Taiwan, Mongolia, and Central Asia, including
establishing Tibet as a protectorate of China.

Question 10

Emperor Qianlong

Answer 10

-Emperor Qianlong expanded westward into Xinjiang through brutal mass killings, Tibet (again), and then tried (unsuccessfully) to expand to Burma and Vietnam, using all of the Qing Dynasty’s remaining money.

Question 11

Ottoman-Safavid conflict

Answer 11

Ottomans were Sunnis while Safavids were Shi’a Muslims, causing religious conflict & a war over bordering territory. They also had conflicts over control of overland trade routes. The Ottomans used trade embargoes bans on trade to assert dominance over the Safavids.