land-empires compare

• What was a major theme in the period c. 1450-c. 1750 regarding empires?

  • Building and maintaining large land-based empires
  • Growth through incorporation of conquered lands
  • Implementation of policies to legitimize rule over diverse populations
• Did the conquered populations fully assimilate to the culture of their conquerors?

  No, the conquered often did not totally assimilate.
• How did the conquered populations influence their conquerors?

  They helped to shape a blended culture.
• What led to blended cultures during this period?

  The interconnection of hemispheres.
• Who besieged the Habsburg-controlled city of Esztergom in 1543?

  The Ottoman Empire under Suleiman I.
• What military support did the Ottoman Empire use during the siege of Esztergom?

  French artillery.
• What is a key reason for the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Inability to compete with European trading companies.
• What internal conflicts contributed to the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Conflicts of heirs motivated by harem politics.
• What were some other factors in the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Weak or corrupt leadership and failure to keep up with military technology.
• How did the expensive armies affect the peasants in the Gunpowder Empires?

  They placed harsh financial burdens on them through taxes.
• What religious schism divided Muslims and Hindus in Mughal India?

  A deep religious schism.
• What was a significant conflict between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires?

  Territorial claims at their borders.
• What role did religion play in the conflict between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires?

  It was an underlying cause due to Sunni and Shi'a differences.
• What was the core issue in the conflict between the Safavid and Mughal Empires?

  Control over resources and trade routes in present-day Afghanistan.
• What happened when Morocco invaded the Songhai Empire in 1591?

  Moroccan forces sacked the capital of Gao.
• What was the outcome of Morocco's invasion of the Songhai Empire?

  Morocco was unable to hold onto all the Songhai territory.
• What was required for land-based empires to control diverse populations?

  • Establishment of an organized and centralized bureaucracy
  • Recruitment of bureaucratic elites through various systems
• What system did the Ming and Manchu dynasties use to assess abilities for government service?

  The civil service examination system.
• What system provided the Ottoman sultan with loyal civil servants?

  The devshirme system.
• Who were the bureaucrats in the Safavid Empire?

  The men of the pen from the Persian population.
• What were the taxation policies of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires?

  • Ottoman Empire: Taxes on non-Muslims and peasants; military supported by village grants.
  • Safavid Empire: Taxation to encourage adherence to Shi'a Islam; military independent of central government.
  • Mughal Empire: Taxes on unbelievers abolished by Akbar but reinstated; zamindars collected taxes.
• How did the Songhai Empire employ bureaucrats?

  They employed bureaucrats from the scholarly class educated in madrasas.
• How did the Incas organize their empire?

  Into a federal system of provinces headed by nobles loyal to the emperor.
• How did the Aztec Empire differ in its centralization compared to other land empires?

  It was less centralized and bureaucratic.
• What forms of taxation supported the bureaucracy and military of land-based empires?

  • Mughal zamindar tax collection based on land and production.
  • Ottoman tax farming with appointed tax farmers.
  • Aztec tribute lists from conquered areas.
  • Ming collection of "hard currency" through rice and silver coins.
• How did rulers strive for legitimacy in land-based empires?

  • Used religion, art, and monumental architecture.
  • Examples include references to "caliph," divine right, and human sacrifice.
• What approach did Akbar attempt in the Mughal Empire regarding religion?

  A syncretic approach to religion.
• What sources of legitimacy did rulers in Islamic empires use?

  • Title "caliph" as successor to the Prophet.
  • Conversion to Islam of rulers and noble classes.
  • Artistic representations and monumental architecture.
• What is the essential question regarding empires from c. 1450-c. 1750?

  By what methods did empires increase their societal and cultural influence?
• What is a major theme in the period c. 1450-c. 1750 regarding empires?

  • Building and maintaining large land-based empires
  • Growth through incorporation of conquered lands
  • Implementation of policies to legitimize rule
• How did conquered populations respond to their conquerors?

  They often did not fully assimilate and sometimes influenced the conquerors.
• What led to blended cultures during this period?

  The interconnection of hemispheres contributed to blended cultures.
• Who besieged the Habsburg-controlled city of Esztergom in 1543?

  The Ottoman Empire under Suleiman I.
• What was a significant factor in the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Inability to compete with European trading companies.
• What internal conflicts contributed to the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Conflicts of heirs motivated by harem politics.
• What were some external factors that led to the decline of the Gunpowder Empires?

  Weak or corrupt leadership and failure to keep up with military technology.
• What was a significant religious conflict in Mughal India?

  A deep schism divided Muslims and Hindus.
• What was the religious divide between the Ottomans and Safavids?

  Sunni Ottomans and Shi'a Safavids had a schism.
• What characterized the armies of land-based empires during this period?

  • Well trained, organized, equipped, and led
  • Reliance on gunpowder weapons
  • Use of traditional cavalry and infantry units
• How did Aztec and Incan warriors contribute to their empires?

  They intimidated and conquered neighboring territories.