AP World History UNIT 3 REVIEW—1450-1750

Summary

In this video, Heimler explores how land-based empires from 1450 to 1750 gained and maintained control. Key empires like the Ming, Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid centralized power through bureaucracy, taxation, military structures, and religious legitimization. Examples include the Chinese civil service exam, the Ottoman devshirme system, and the Aztec tribute system. Empires also legitimized their rule through art, architecture, and religion, using titles like 'caliph' and building monumental structures like the Taj Mahal and Versailles. The video offers key insights to help students excel in their AP World History exams.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ The major theme of Unit 3 is how land-based empires from 1450 to 1750 gained and maintained power through consolidating and legitimizing their authority.
• 🏛️ Empires like the Manchu (Qing), Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid used centralized bureaucracies to consolidate power by controlling the government through appointed officials.
• 📜 In China, the Qing dynasty reinstated the Civil Service examination to ensure bureaucrats shared the same beliefs, aiding in power consolidation.
• ⚔️ The Ottomans used the devshirme system to enslave Christian boys, train them in various fields, and employ them in military and bureaucratic roles, making them fiercely loyal to the Sultan.
• 👑 The Aztecs ruled a vast empire through a tribute system rather than centralized bureaucracy, demanding goods and people from conquered states.
• 💰 Land-based empires collected taxes to fund their military, bureaucracy, and grandiose projects. The Mughals used zamindars to collect land taxes, while the Ottomans relied on tax farmers.
• 🎖️ Empires maintained military power with elite troops like the Ottoman Janissaries and Safavid Guls, both made up of enslaved individuals loyal to their rulers.
• ⛪ Religion was key to legitimizing power: Islamic rulers took the title of caliph, European kings used the divine right of kings, and African rulers in Songhai converted to Islam to solidify authority.
• 🎨 Empires used art and monumental architecture to legitimize their power, such as the Mughal Taj Mahal or portraits of Chinese emperors and high officials.
• 🏰 Monumental architecture, like the Palace of Versailles, was a way for rulers to showcase their authority and keep nobility close, preventing rebellions.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Unit 3 in AP World History?

The central theme of Unit 3 is how land-based empires gained and maintained control over large territories from 1450 to 1750 by consolidating and legitimizing their power.

Which major empires are covered in this unit and why are they important?

The major empires covered include the Manchu (Qing Dynasty), Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid Empires. These are important because they exemplify key strategies for consolidating and legitimizing power during this period.

How did the Qing Dynasty consolidate power after its establishment?

The Qing Dynasty consolidated power by reintroducing the Civil Service examination, which ensured that bureaucratic leaders thought and believed in similar ways, legitimizing the foreign Manchu rule.

What role did the Devshirme system play in consolidating power for the Ottoman Empire?

The Devshirme system involved enslaving poor Christian boys, educating them in philosophy, politics, and art, and placing them into military or bureaucratic roles, creating fierce loyalty to the sultan and consolidating Ottoman power.

How did the Songhai Empire maintain power differently compared to the Qing and Ottoman Empires?

The Songhai Empire consolidated power through control of trade routes, military expansion, and alliances, rather than a centralized bureaucracy. Their kings also used court rituals to demonstrate their power.

What was the tribute system in the Aztec Empire, and how did it differ from centralized bureaucratic control?

The Aztec Empire used a tribute system where conquered peoples had to provide goods, services, or even people for human sacrifice. This allowed the Aztecs to rule a diverse empire without centralized, direct control.

How did the Mughal and Ottoman Empires collect taxes, and how were their systems different?

The Mughal Empire used zamindars, bureaucrats who collected taxes based on land holdings or production. The Ottomans, on the other hand, used tax farmers who collected taxes for the government but could also profit by collecting extra.

What role did military might play in consolidating power for these empires?

Land-based empires consolidated power by building strong militaries, often using elite groups of soldiers such as the Ottoman Janissaries, the Safavid Ghulams, and the Aztec warriors, many of whom were enslaved or tribute members.

How did religion serve to legitimize the power of rulers during this period?

Rulers used religion to legitimize their power. For example, Islamic emperors took on the title of caliph, claiming to be successors to Muhammad, while European rulers embraced the divine right of kings, claiming to rule by God’s will.

What role did monumental architecture play in legitimizing the rule of emperors?

Monumental architecture, such as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal or Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles, was built to symbolize the power and grandeur of the ruler, helping to legitimize their authority.