Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Multi-ethnic states that used gunpowder weapons to conquer large territories.

A printing press that could print words on paper, increasing literacy.

Russian Tsar who expanded Russia's borders using gunpowder.

Chinese dynasty that stabilized East Asia for 300 years.

Chinese dynasty established by the Manchu that expanded greatly.

Long-reigning Chinese emperor who incorporated regions like Taiwan.

Mongol-Turkic ruler who ordered invasions of the Middle East and Central Asia.

A model for warrior life that influenced the Gunpowder Empires' soldiers.

One of the large and powerful Islamic empires.

A powerful and rich dynasty in India under Akbar.

The art and architecture of the Gunpowder Empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Russia) reflected the legitimacy of their rulers.

European expansion from 1450-1750 involved wider exchange networks, spreading gunpowder technology, unlike the Gunpowder Empires.

The early modern period started around 1450, marking the end of the medieval era and the beginning of a new era.

European monarchies in 1450 sought control over taxes, armies, and religious aspects.

Russia's development was shaped by both Europe and Asia.

Ivan IV expanded Russia eastward by conquering Mongol khanates.

The Ming Dynasty stabilized East Asia for 300 years after the Mongols were overthrown.

The Qing Dynasty was established by the Manchuria.

The belief that a king's right to rule comes directly from God.

Officials elected by the landed gentry to maintain peace in England.

Rights granted by England's rulers to protect individual liberties.

A system of government with absolute power vested in a single ruler.

Elite forces of the Ottoman Empire.

Landholding aristocrats in Japan who controlled their own armies.

A type of government in Japan that centralized control over the feudal system.

Paid government officials in charge of taxation, construction, and water supply.

A system in which peasants received land and protection in exchange for labor.

Poor leadership, economic weakness, weakened by rebellions, and invasions from Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

Individuals who collect taxes for the government in exchange for a percentage of the revenue. They often become wealthy by skimming money from the taxes, leading to corruption.

The Ottoman Empire heavily relied on taxes as the main source of income for its empire and military, using various means to collect revenue.

The Mughal Empire's economic decline was largely attributed to the burden of excessive taxes and military spending.

The Ming Dynasty used a system where private citizens were responsible for collecting taxes, initially in the form of grains and later transitioning to silver.

A system where conquered territories are required to pay tribute, typically in the form of goods or resources, to the conquering empire.

Peter the Great sought to industrialize Russia by establishing new industries and encouraging private enterprises.

When Peter the Great's industrialization efforts fell short of his revenue goals, he resorted to raising taxes and compelling workers to labor in shipyards.

Indulgences were grants issued by the Catholic Church, offering absolution from the punishment for sin. These were often sold for money, contributing to the corrupt practices of the Church.

The Romanov Dynasty faced competition for power from three groups: the Church, the Boyars, and the Tsar's royal family. The Church sought traditional values, the Boyars aimed for control and power, and the Tsar's family aimed to maintain their rule.

Peter the Great had to overcome his half-sister Sophia to secure his position as Tsar.

Peter's reforms caused tension with the clergy, even though he was known as the 'Defender of Orthodoxy'. They disapproved of his changes.

To manage Russia, Peter divided the country into provinces, creating a more structured administrative system.

The Ottoman Empire implemented the devshirme system to recruit soldiers and government officials.

Only Christian boys were chosen for the devshirme because they were not considered part of the 'People of the Book' and could be enslaved.

Devshirme recruits served in a variety of roles including Janissaries (elite soldiers), administrators, scribes, diplomats, and tax collectors.

Janissaries were fiercely loyal to the Ottoman Empire, as the devshirme system offered a path for upward mobility.

Elite slave soldiers recruited from non-Muslim minority groups in the Ottoman Empire, trained to be loyal to the sultan and protect his power.

Slave soldiers recruited from minority groups in the Safavid Empire, trained to protect the shah from internal threats and rival clans.

Conflicts between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires over territory and religious control, stemming from their rivalry for dominance in the Middle East.

Wars between the Safavid Empire and the Mughal Empire, primarily over control of trade routes and resources.

The Ming Dynasty used the civil service exam to select skilled officials from the scholar-gentry class, forming a highly centralized and efficient bureaucracy.

A system where Christian boys from conquered territories were forcefully taken and converted to Islam, trained to be loyal civil servants or soldiers for the Ottoman Sultan.

The Aztec Empire maintained its control through military force, terror, and a tributary system where conquered cities paid taxes and offered human sacrifices.

The Mughal Empire primarily collected taxes from the peasant class, directly relying on agricultural production.