Gallery

AP World History

Home

Textbook notes

Class

Resources

Explore

Content

3. Land-Based Empires

1450-1750

3.1-3.2 Empires Expand, Administration

Land-based empires

Definition

An empire that primarily expands its territories through conquest on land rather than maritime (sea) exploration

Characteristics

vast territorial holdings

strong centralized government

bureaucracy and administrative systems

diverse populations and cultures

economic systems

agriculture

trade

taxation

Key factors

military power and strategy

technological advancements

economic resources and stability

political organization and governance

Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

founded by Zhu Yuanzhang

former Buddhist monk who led the Red Turban rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty (Mongols)

took the throne as the Hongwu Emperor

many Mongols, Muslims, Jews, Christians remained in China

returned to Song Dynasty values

tried to eliminate all signs of foreign Mongol rule

promoted Confucian learning; reestablished the civil service exam

launched Treasure Fleet commanded by Zheng He

expanded Chinese tribute and trade

consolidating power

Emperor Yongle built the Forbidden City

power concentrated in the hands of the emperor

scholar-gentry ran a bureaucracy

eunuchs (castrated men) advised the emperor and exercised great authority

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Manchus invaded and conquered China

nomadic tribes north of the Great Wall

maintained separation between Manchus and Chinese

highest posts were filled by Manchus

forbade intermarriage

conquered the nomadic peoples of Central Asia

Central Asia was ruled separately from the rest of China

used locals to govern the region

did not seek to assimilate people into Manchu culture

restricted Chinese settlers and merchants in the region

consolidating power

Chinese men forced grow a queue

shave front of head, grow braid

made it easy to identify those who might rebel

imperial portraits portrayed emperors as Confucian scholars

Russian Empire (1492-1917)

expansion

south (steppes) for protection against pastoral nomads

east (Siberia) for fur (”soft gold”) to trade

west (Poland, Ukraine, Belarus) due to military rivalries with Europe

Russification

conquered peoples were forced to swear an oath to the Czar/Tsar

forced to pay tribute (cash, furs)

pressured to convert to Orthodox Christianity

influx of Russian settlers overwhelmed native populations

multi-ethnic but Russians were dominant

identity crisis

backwards European nation; several attempts to Westernize

Asian powerhouse; defeated the Mongols

Mughal Empire (1526-1761)

Muslim Turkic warriors from Central Asia

claimed descent from Chinggis Khan (Mughal: Indo-Aryan for Mongol)

conquered Delhi Sultanate in India, expanded to control almost all of India

consolidating power

policy of religious toleration towards Hindus

Emperor Akbar the Great (1556-1605)

created “state religion” blending Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism

incorporated Hindus into government; had three Hindu wives

softened Hindu restrictions on women

promoted remarriage

discouraged child marriage

prohibited sati (self-sacrificial burning of widows)

Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707) reversed religious tolerance

destroyed Hindu temples, reinstated jizya tax on non-Muslims

imposed Islamic law; outlawed gambling, drinking, dancing

impact: antagonized Hindus, prompted opposition movement

Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)

Muslim Turkic warriors from Anatolia

conquered much of Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Europe

Muslim inroads into Europe

1453: Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople

1481: Ottoman conquest of Balkans/Byzantine Empire

1683: Siege of Vienna - Turks defeated by Polish

stops Ottoman conquest into Europe

begins the decline of the Ottoman Empire

consolidating power

Ottoman Empire was ethnically and religiously diverse

millet system: non-Muslim communities were semi-autonomous

religious sects were governed by their own religious leaders

jizya tax on non-Muslims

devshirme: form of tribute; took Christian boys for state service

required to learn Turkish; most converted to Islam

trained for government work or military service as Janissaries

became the governing elite of the Ottoman Empire

Safavid Empire (1501-1736)

Muslim Turkic warriors from Central Asia

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.