European Conquests and Empires Quiz

The 3 G's represent the primary motivations for European exploration and colonization in the Age of Exploration (1400s-1600s). They are gold, glory, and God. These three factors combined fueled European ambition to venture across the globe.

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494. It divided the newly discovered lands of the Americas between the two powers. The Pope drew a line on a map, with Portugal receiving the eastern part (including Brazil), and Spain gaining control of the western parts.

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. He successfully used advanced weaponry, alliances with indigenous groups, and the spread of European diseases like smallpox to conquer the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521.

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru. He used similar tactics to Cortés, including advanced weaponry, alliances with some indigenous groups, and the transmission of European diseases like smallpox, resulting in the fall of the Inca capital, Cuzco, in 1533.

Advanced weaponry, diseases, and the formation of alliances with indigenous groups were the main tools used by Spanish conquistadors, like Cortés and Pizarro, to overcome and conquer powerful empires like the Aztecs and Incas in the Americas. These factors allowed them to gain a significant military advantage over the native populations.

Peter the Great's policy of creating a powerful, centralized Russian state through reforms, territorial expansion, and modernization.

The elite guards and foot soldiers of the Ottoman Sultan who later became key administrators within the empire.

A term used for empires that relied heavily on firearms and gunpowder to conquer and maintain control over diverse regions.

The ruling dynasty of the Austrian Empire, known for expanding their power in Eastern and Southern Europe.

The landed aristocracy in Prussia, who served as the staff of the civil and military government.

Peter the Great's policy of territorial expansion that led to the acquisition of the Baltic Sea and surrounding lands.

Peter the Great's policy of centralizing authority and bureaucracy to increase government efficiency.

Peter the Great's use of secret police to monitor and suppress opposition, both among the people and nobility, to maintain control.

Suleyman I was a powerful Ottoman sultan who conquered Hungary and Austria. Despite his initial successes, he was defeated in Vienna and the Spanish navy under Philip II destroyed the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto, marking a significant setback for Ottoman naval dominance.

Osman established the Ottoman dynasty, laying the foundation for a powerful empire that would last for centuries.

After conquering Constantinople, Mehmed I changed its name to Istanbul and declared it the new capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Selim I expanded the Ottoman Empire by conquering Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Arabian peninsula, including the holy cities of Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina. He declared himself the new caliph, asserting his authority over the Islamic world.

A powerful official who controlled the Ottoman Empire on behalf of the sultan, acting as the chief administrator.

Provincial governors responsible for managing different regions of the Ottoman Empire. They ranked second in authority after the sultan.

Religious advisors and scholars who served the sultan as the Ottoman caliph. They educated Muslims in Islamic beliefs and implemented Islamic laws and customs throughout the empire.

Lower-ranking Hindu government officials who held significant power and influence in their local districts.

Aurangzeb was an emperor of the Mughal Empire known for his attempts to reform Indian society based on his strict Islamic beliefs. He banned practices like drinking, gambling, and the Hindu ritual of sati (widow burning). He also sought to eliminate social evils by destroying Hindu temples and forcibly converting people to Islam.

Sikhism is a religion that originated in Punjab, India. It emphasizes the equality of all people and believes in one God. Sikhism emerged from the teachings of Guru Nanak and was developed by successive gurus.

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism. He preached the message of equality and emphasized the unity of God.

Guru Arjun compiled the Sikh scriptures into a holy book called the Adi Granth. He also built the Darbar Sahib, a sacred shrine known as the Golden Temple.

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final human guru of Sikhism. He appointed the Adi Granth as the eternal guru of Sikhism.

The Ming dynasty emperors strengthened Chinese rule by expanding into Mongolia and central Asia, strengthening the Great Wall, establishing a strong bureaucracy based on civil service exams, and promoting education. They also enhanced trade and agriculture through infrastructure improvements like the Grand Canal.

The Qing dynasty emperor Kangxi centralized power, reformed the tax system, established an effective bureaucracy, and modernized the military.

The Grand Canal was a significant canal system in China that connected various rivers, facilitating the transportation of goods, especially grain, from the south to the north. This project contributed to economic growth during the Ming dynasty.

Rapid population growth in China, coupled with limited land resources, created intense pressure on the environment and economy. This resulted in economic hardships and unrest, particularly among the peasant population, contributing to the outbreak of rebellions like the White Lotus Rebellion.

Oda Nobunaga, a prominent Japanese warlord, initiated the unification of Japan by establishing a stable government and controlling roughly half of the country. His strategic use of gunpowder, like employing ranks of fire instead of individual shooters, made him a formidable leader.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, a powerful daimyo (feudal lord), seized control after Hideyoshi, leading to the complete unification of Japan. He centralized power and established an era of peace and prosperity known as the Great Peace. He achieved this by strategically utilizing the power of the daimyos during a war with Korea (Imjin War).

Tokugawa's rule implemented a system that required daimyos to reside in Edo (Tokyo), the capital, with their families. This ensured that rebellious actions wouldn't disrupt the ruling shogunate.

Toyotami Hideyoshi, succeeding Oda Nobunaga, completed the conquest of Japan. He initiated a large-scale invasion of Joseon (Korea), the Imjin War, attempting to conquer China and establish himself as the paramount authority, but ultimately failed.

Using force, the Manchus preserved their distinct cultural identity by making it a legal code. Manchus were the ruling class and received land and salaries while the Chinese were given low-ranking positions to gain their support.

The Manchus forced the Han Chinese to adopt their customs, such as the queue, a specific Manchu hairstyle.

The Qing Dynasty restricted foreign trade to Guangzhou, limiting foreign activity due to their reliance on silver as currency. They feared losing too much silver and this led to economic decline.

The Qing government viewed trade and commerce as inferior to agriculture.

Kangxi's successors suppressed Christianity to protect Chinese culture and prevent Western influence.

High taxes, government corruption, internal power struggles, and peasant unrest due to lack of money and famine led to the Ming Dynasty's downfall.

The Black Death, which wiped out 50% of the population, and Li Zicheng's rebellion contributed to the Ming Dynasty's downfall.

The Manchu invasion ultimately led to the Ming Dynasty's downfall.