Unit 3.1-3 (Land-Based Empires Expand/Govern and Changing Belief Systems) Flashcards
Empires expanded thanks to…
the use of gunpowder, cannons, and armed trade
Tamerlane
The father of gunpowder empires who established the “ghazi ideal” (model warrior life)
Gunpowder Empire
A group of large Muslim states in central Asia that used gunpowder to conquer land
Examples of Gunpowder Empires
Ottoman Empire (Sunni), Safavid Empire (Shia), Mughal Empire (Syncretic), and Russian Empire (Orthodox Christian)
Ottoman Empire (Sunni; Mehmed II)
Used cannons to conquer Constantinople and navy to conquer and force Venice to pay tributes. Declined due to lost battle and political conflict.
Sunni Islam
Any devout Muslim can be a spiritual leader
Safavid Empire (Shia; Ismail & Abbas the Great)
Ismali used gunpowder to conquer and Abbas forced Christian boys to serve in army (Devshirme); also used Shia to unify empire. Declined due to leaders wasting money on luxuries, rebellion in Afghan., and lost battle to Ottomans
Shia Islam
Only those related to the prophet Mohammed can be a spiritual leader
Mughal Empire (Mix of Hindu & Muslim; Barbur & Akbar the Great)
Barbur used gunpowder to conquer northern India and Akbar tolerated all religions and patronized (gave move) them; gave Hindus gov. positions and married Hindu women, didn’t tax Hindus, and tried to stop child marriage/sati (widow suicide after losing husband). Declined due to loss of wealth after failed expansion attempt and intolerant religion policies of Arunbang.
Qing China (Emperor Kangxi)
Military force and gunpowder used to incorporate Taiwan, Mongolia, and parts of Cent. Asia under Kangxi and additions to western China under Emperor Qianlong
White Lotus Rebellion
Unsuccessful peasant revolt over high taxes
Russia (Ivan IV/the Terrible)
Attacked Siberian kingdoms using gunpowder and cossacks (peasant warriors) because he wanted to control the fur trade
Political and Religious Disputes Between States were caused by…
rivalries and conflicts
Ottoman vs. Safavid Empires
Safavid denies Sunnis right to live in their land, angering Ottoman empire and they establish trade embargo (bans on trade) with Safavid; Battle of Tabriz won by Ottomans and stops western Safavid expansion
Mughals vs. Hindu Indians
Akbar’s grandson, Aurangzeb, becomes leader and persecutes Hindus as a devout Muslim and so religious minorities rebel against him, collapsing his empire
To maintain their power, rulers…
recruited bureaucratic elites and military power. England used “justices of peace” appointed by king.