Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Question 1

Explain how and why various land-based empires developed and expanded

Answer 1

Empire’s expansion relied on the increased use of GUNPOWDER, cannons, and armed trade. Weakened places from Mongol rule were conquered and centralized into new empires, unified by religion with a military focus.

Question 2

Explain how rulers used a variety of methods to legitimize and consolidate their power in land-based empires

Answer 2

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅/𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅:
𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆: Large empires needed an organized and centralized power (ex. China’s Civil Service Exams, Ottomans Devshirme System. However, Aztecs didn’t have a centeralized power but controlled through fear)
𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲: Decreased threat of others with power; Implemented policies and European monarchs + Japanese Shoguns forced elite to move in with them.
𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Workers traveled to collect taxes and carry out will of the ruler; gave ruler presence which showed who’s in charge. Taxes/tributes showed submission and acknowledged power (ex. Mughal Zamindars, Ottomans Janissaries, Englands Justices of peice).

𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅/𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅:
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 - Justified rule; Absolutism gave all power to one person through the Divine Right of King who was above the law
𝗔𝗿𝘁/𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 - Rulers who made this were in charge; displayed political power and wealth

Question 3

Explain continuity and change within the various belief systems

Answer 3

In general, religion provided a religious and legal structure to an empire, unifying it.

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: During and after feudalism, Roman Catholic Church was continued until it lost power during monarchies because of corruption. The Protestant Reformation took place as a result of Martin Luther exposing the church of going against the bible through his 95 theses. His ideas spread throughout Europe, splitting the Roman Catholic Church from the Roman Empire. Three reform movements emerged as a result: Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicism. In attempt to regain control, Roman Catholic Church fought against the reformation through missionaries that opposed Protestantism, and correcting there abuses.

𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺: Ottomans were Sunni muslims and the Safavids were Shi-a muslims creating religious disagreement. This disagreement created conflict between both empires. In contrast, Mughal ruler Akbar was very tolerant of everybody.

Question 4

Compare the methods by which various empires increased their influence

Answer 4

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀: Consolidated control over land. Most times, empires would use enslaved people to make territories loyal. (ex. Ottomans Jannissaries; Japanese Samuria)
𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Showed submission and acknowledged power (Eurasia had tax workers; Aztecs had tributary system)

Question 5

Why did the gunpowder empires decline?

Answer 5

Empires failed to modernize with military and economy compared to Europe. East India Trade Company rise + Military growth.

Question 6

What was the Ottoman Devshirme system?

Answer 6

Ottomans would pick the most skilled Christians from tributary states who were given a high education and became loyal servants for the Sultan.

Question 7

What was the scientific revolution?

Answer 7

In the early 1600’s, thinking based on reason rather than faith grew popular. This replaced old ideas with ones backed by evidence. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗺 was a new method of collecting data to support a hypothesis. Scientific thinking led to enlightenment.

Question 8

What are Jesuits and how did they impact China?

Answer 8

Jesuits were Christian missionaries who planned to convert China from Confucianism to Christianity. They adopted the Chinese way of living but had few converts. Pope claimed authority over Chinese Christians, which was unacceptable to the Chinese emperor (Emperor Kangxi). Afterward, Emporer Kangxi banned Jesuits from China. Jesuits had a significant role in transferring knowledge between China and Europe, and influenced Christian culture in Chinese society today.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
- Christianity spread through missionary and merchant activity