Land-Based Empires EXPAND [AP World History Review—Unit 3 Topic 1]

Summary

This AP World History unit explores the rise of land-based empires from 1450 to 1750, focusing on the Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing dynasties. These 'gunpowder empires' expanded due to military innovations and territorial control. The Ottomans' capture of Constantinople and the Safavid's declaration as a Shia state were pivotal. The Mughal Empire prospered under Akbar's tolerant rule, while the Qing overthrew the Ming, expanding into Central Asia. Conflicts arose from religious differences and territorial ambitions, such as the Safavid-Mughal wars and the Moroccan invasion of the Songhai Empire.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The focus is on land-based empires expanding during 1450-1750, with a key difference from sea-based empires.
• 🛡️ These land-based empires gained power through territorial expansion and military strength, primarily using gunpowder.
• 🏴 The Ottoman Empire was a significant Islamic empire during this period, known for its strategic use of gunpowder and conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
• 🔫 The Safavid Empire, established in the 1500s, declared itself a Shia Muslim state, creating tension with neighboring Sunni empires.
• 🕌 The Mughal Empire in South and Central Asia expanded rapidly with gunpowder, and under Akbar, it became religiously tolerant and prosperous.
• 💥 The Ming Dynasty in China declined due to internal issues and external wars, leading to the rise of the Qing Dynasty, which expanded China's territory.
• ⚔️ Conflicts between empires, such as the Safavid-Mughal wars, were driven by both political goals and religious differences (Shia vs. Sunni).
• 🧨 The Moroccan-Songhai conflict highlights how gunpowder weapons gave certain empires a military edge, with Morocco defeating the Songhai due to this advantage.
• 📜 The script emphasizes the significance of gunpowder technology as a key factor in the expansion and dominance of these empires.
• 🎯 Religious and political rivalries were common as these empires vied for dominance, often leading to protracted conflicts without clear victories.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Unit 3 in AP World History?

The main focus of Unit 3 is to discuss the expansion of land-based empires between the years 1450 to 1750.

What distinguishes land-based empires from sea-based empires?

Land-based empires derive their power from territorial holdings, while sea-based empires gain power through control of the seas.

What is the common cause for the expansion of these land-based empires?

The common cause for the expansion of these empires is their militaristic use of gunpowder, which is why they are often referred to as gunpowder empires.

What is significant about the Ottoman Empire's control of the Dardanelles?

The Ottoman Empire's control of the Dardanelles was significant because it was a strategic choke point they used to launch many of their campaigns of expansion.

What was the most significant achievement of the Ottomans during this period?

The most significant achievement of the Ottomans was the sack of Constantinople in 1453, which they renamed Istanbul and became the crown jewel of their empire.

Why was the Safavid Empire's declaration as a Shia Muslim State significant?

The Safavid Empire's declaration as a Shia Muslim State was significant because it set them apart from neighboring Sunni Muslim empires, leading to religious rivalry and conflict.

How did Akbar's religious tolerance contribute to the Mughal Empire's prosperity?

Akbar's religious tolerance, along with his administrative skills, allowed for a more harmonious rule over the majority Hindu population, contributing to the Mughal Empire becoming the most prosperous empire of the 16th century.

What was the ethnic background of the Ming Dynasty and how did it differ from the preceding Mongol rule?

The Ming Dynasty was ethnically Han, which contrasted with the preceding Mongol rule that was established by outsiders. This led to the establishment of a truly Chinese dynasty after the Mongols.

How did the Qing Dynasty come to power in China?

The Qing Dynasty came to power by taking advantage of the fractured Ming Dynasty. They invaded and set up their own dynasty, launching a 40-year campaign of conquest to claim all former Ming territory.

What were the main reasons for the conflicts between the Safavid and Mughal Empires?

The main reasons for the conflicts between the Safavid and Mughal Empires were their desire to expand into the Persian Gulf and Central Asia, as well as their religious rivalry due to the Safavids being Shia Muslims and the Mughals being Sunni Muslims.

Why was the Moroccan invasion of the Songhai Empire successful?

The Moroccan invasion was successful because they had gunpowder weapons, which the Songhai lacked, giving them a significant military advantage.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Land-Based Empires Expansion (1450-1750)

This paragraph introduces Unit 3 of AP World History, focusing on the expansion of land-based empires from 1450 to 1750. The narrator outlines the commonalities among these empires: they were land-based, expanded during this period, and utilized gunpowder for military purposes, earning them the moniker 'gunpowder empires.' The Ottoman Empire is highlighted as the most significant Islamic empire of the time, expanding due to its control of the Dardanelles and the use of gunpowder weapons. The paragraph also mentions the upcoming discussion of sea-based empires and promotes a review guide for excelling in AP World History.

05:01

🔥 Conflicts Among Empires

The second paragraph delves into the conflicts that arose among the expanding empires due to their shared ambition for unlimited territorial growth. It provides two historical examples of such conflicts. The first is the Safavid-Mughal conflict, a series of wars in the 17th century between two Muslim empires, the Safavids (Shia Muslims) and the Mughals (Sunni Muslims), who both claimed to be the rightful heirs to previous Muslim dynasties. The second example is the Songhai Moroccan conflict, where the Moroccan Kingdom, taking advantage of the Songhai Empire's internal weaknesses, invaded and defeated them with gunpowder weapons, which the Songhai lacked. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to review for Unit 3 and to purchase the AP World History review guide for academic success.

Keywords

💡Land-based Empires

Land-based Empires are those whose power and influence are derived from their territorial holdings. In the video, this term is used to describe the Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing Empires that expanded significantly between 1450 and 1750. These empires are highlighted as the main focus of the video's narrative, emphasizing their territorial growth and military strategies.

💡Gunpowder Empires

Gunpowder Empires refers to nations that leveraged gunpowder weapons for military purposes, leading to their expansion during the period discussed. The video explains that the adoption of gunpowder technology was a key factor in the growth of these empires. For instance, the Ottomans used cannons to conquer Constantinople, showcasing the impact of gunpowder on their military campaigns.

💡Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire is identified as the most significant Islamic empire during the period. It is highlighted for its strategic control over the Dardanelles and its rapid expansion using gunpowder weapons. The video specifically mentions the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which marked a significant achievement and a turning point for the empire.

💡Safavid Empire

The Safavid Empire is noted for its establishment in the early 1500s and its declaration as a Shia Muslim state under Shah Ismael. This decision is significant as it set the stage for religious conflict with neighboring Sunni Muslim empires, such as the Ottomans and Mughals. The Safavids' adoption of gunpowder weapons is also mentioned as a key factor in their expansion.

💡Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire is described as replacing the Delhi Sultanate in the 16th century and expanding under the leadership of Babur and later Akbar. The video emphasizes Akbar's religious tolerance and administrative skills, which contributed to the empire's prosperity. The Mughal Empire's use of gunpowder weapons is also noted as instrumental in its territorial expansion.

💡Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty is mentioned as a non-Han Chinese dynasty that rose to power by taking advantage of the fractured Ming Dynasty. The video discusses the Qing's 40-year campaign of conquest to claim former Ming territory, including Taiwan and parts of Mongolia. The Qing's non-Han ethnicity is highlighted as a source of future tension within China.

💡Gunpowder Weapons

Gunpowder Weapons are repeatedly mentioned as a technological innovation that played a crucial role in the expansion of the empires discussed. The video provides examples such as the Ottomans' use of cannons to breach Constantinople's walls, illustrating the transformative impact of these weapons on military strategy and the balance of power.

💡Religious Rivalry

Religious Rivalry is a theme that emerges from the video's discussion of the conflicts between the Safavid and Mughal Empires. The video explains that the Safavids' declaration as a Shia state created tension with Sunni empires, leading to a series of wars. This rivalry is used to illustrate how religious differences could drive geopolitical conflict.

💡Strategic Choke Point

A strategic choke point refers to a geographical location that is crucial for controlling movement or access. The video uses the Dardanelles as an example, explaining how the Ottomans leveraged this choke point to launch campaigns of expansion. This concept is important for understanding how geography influenced the military strategies of the empires.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy is mentioned in contrast to the military expansion strategies of the other empires, specifically in relation to the Ming Dynasty. The video suggests that the Ming Dynasty expanded its borders through diplomacy rather than military force, highlighting an alternative method of achieving territorial growth.

💡Internal Divisions

Internal Divisions are discussed as a factor that weakened the Ming Dynasty, leading to its eventual collapse and the rise of the Qing Dynasty. The video uses this term to illustrate how internal strife can undermine the stability and power of an empire, setting the stage for external forces to take advantage.

Highlights

Introduction to Unit 3 of AP World History focusing on land-based empires from 1450 to 1750.

Definition of land-based empires and their reliance on territorial holdings for power.

Comparison to sea-based empires that gain power from control of the seas.

Expansion of these empires during the period due to the use of gunpowder, hence the term 'gunpowder empires'.

The fall of the Mongol Empire led to the rise of new land-based empires.

The Ottoman Empire's significance as the most influential Islamic empire of the period.

The Ottoman Empire's control of the Dardanelles and its strategic use in expansion.

The Ottoman's development and use of gunpowder weapons.

The conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, marking a significant expansion.

The Safavid Empire's establishment and its declaration as a Shia Muslim state.

Religious division between Shia and Sunni Muslims and its impact on empire relations.

The Mughal Empire's rise in South and Central Asia and its use of gunpowder for expansion.

Akbar's tolerant religious policies and effective administration leading to prosperity.

The Ming Dynasty's establishment and its ethnic Han identity.

The rise of the Qing Dynasty following the decline of the Ming Dynasty.

The Qing Dynasty's 40-year campaign to claim former Ming territory.

The ethnic tension caused by the Qing Dynasty's non-Han identity.

Conflicts between empires due to religious beliefs and political goals.

The Safavid-Mughal conflict over religious differences and territorial claims.

The Songhai Moroccan conflict due to weakening internal issues in the Songhai Empire.

Promotion of the AP World History Himler review guide for exam preparation.

Transcripts

all right welcome to unit 3 for AP World

History and that means it's time to talk

about how land-based Empires were

expanding in the time period 1450 to

1750 and that my friend is a juicy story

so if you're ready to get them brain

cows milk let's get to it now I'm going

to introduce you to these empires in a

minute but first let me tell you what

they all had in common first these

Empires were landbased which means their

power came from the extent of their

territorial Holdings now in the next

unit we're going to get cozy with

various seab based Empires which are

cropping up during this exact same time

period and the difference is that those

Empires get their power from you know

the sea second each of these Empires is

expanding during this period not unlike

my sweatpants on Thanksgiving Day and

Third the main cause of that expansion

was their militaristic use of gunpowder

and that's why you'll often hear them

referred to as gunpowder Empires which

is a good name because it would be much

more confusing if they were called

Douglas that's not funny I'm going to

cut anyway the point is these land-based

Empires that sprang up in the wake of

the fall of the Mongol empire were

growing in this period and it was the

empires that adopted gunpowder weapons

that came out on top and that reminds me

the equivalent of gunpowder in AP World

History is my himler review guy it's got

exclusive unit review videos note guides

to follow along practice questions

practice exams and answer keys for every

dang bit of it so if you want an A in

your class and a five on your examin May

then click the link in the description

and check it out okay now there are four

of these land-based Empires that you

have to know so let's get familiar with

first meet the Ottoman Empire which is

the most significant Islamic empire

during this period it was founded in the

14th century after the Mongol Empire

went the way of the dodo and it started

small but it grew rapidly for two

reasons first they controlled this bit

of water right here known as the dardel

it was a highly strategic choke point

and they used it to LA many of their

campaigns of expansion and second

Ottomans got busy developing and using

gunpowder weapons obviously and by the

beginning of our period much of

Southwestern Europe and Anatolia was

under ottoman control but perhaps one of

the most significant achievements of the

Ottomans was the sack of Constantinople

the heart of the Christian Byzantine

Empire in 1453 anyway ottoman Sultan

mehmed II sent his giant military along

with their giant cannons to lay Siege to

the city and start a blasting the walls

to pieces and that meant their military

could pour into the city for their

assault anyway the Ottomans renamed

Constantinople to istan buul and it

became the crown jewel of their growing

Empire by the end of our period in 1750

the Ottoman Empire had expanded

prodigiously second let's get to know

the safit Empire here in the Middle East

now it was established at the beginning

of the 1500s out of the ashes of former

Muslim empires and it also had a humble

beginning but as the empire grew under

the leadership of a sha named Ismael a

very significant development occurred

namely the Sha declared his Empire a

Shia Muslim State and let me explain why

that is kind of a big deal since before

this period two major divisions of Islam

developed the Shia and the Sunni without

getting too far into the significant

differences between these two Sexes it's

going to be enough for you to know that

their main beef had to do with their

conflicting beliefs about who was the

legitimate successor of Muhammad the

Shia believed that it could only be a

blood relative of Muhammad while the

sunnis believed successors could be

elected by the people anyway the reason

that decision was so significant is

because it made the sa ofid real stanky

in the nostrils of neighboring Sunni

Muslim empires most notably the mugal to

the East and the Ottomans to the West

anyway later under the rule of a guy

named sha abas the safh ofan military

was expanded like mad and they went

ahead and adopted gunpowder weapons and

then they had all they needed to start

expanding like an imperial boss okay

third let's meet the Muslim mugal empire

over here in South and Central Asia

which replaced the Delhi sulate in the

16th century under the leadership of our

boy babber and like the previous Empires

mentioned babber made use of an

expanding military armed with gunpowder

cannons and guns to extend the

geographic reach of his Empire but the

mugal Empire expanded even further under

babar's grandson Akbar no not that one

that one and this guy was all kinds of

tolerant of religious beliefs which was

real nice after centuries of Muslim rule

over the majority Hindu population add

Al Akbar was a masterful administrator

of the Empire and under his leadership

the mugal became the most prosperous

Empire of the 16th century and finally

you need to know that Ching dynasty in

China now let's back up for a second

with the decline of Mongol rule in China

a new dynasty was established namely the

Ming Dynasty in the 14th century now

it's going to be important to know that

the Ming dynasty was ethnically Han

which is to say that after the outsider

Mongols went away they established a

truly Chinese dynasty again the Ming

established peace and Order throughout

East Asia and expanded their borders

through what diplomacy no gun powder

gunpowder is always the answer in this

unit Anyway by the 1500s the Ming

dynasty was fracturing due to internal

divisions and external Wars and that's

when the Ming falls apart and we get the

rise of the Ching now the Ching dynasty

was established by another group of

Outsiders namely the Manu people to the

north of China in 1636 they went ahead

and took advantage of the fractured Ming

Dynasty and invaded to set up their own

Dynasty and from there Ching rulers

launched a 40-year campaign of Conquest

to claim all the former Ming territory

including Taiwan and portions of

Mongolia in Central Asia the important

thing to remember here for this unit is

that the man who were not ethnically Han

like the majority of China's population

which would later cause no small amount

of tension okay now that you know some

of the major land-based Empires you

further need to know that they got a

little spicy with one another what I

mean is since all these Empires had

unlimited expansion on their to-do list

it was inevitable that they would Clash

with one another and they did and their

clashes mainly had to do with

conflicting religious beliefs and

political goals and I'm in the mood to

give you two examples first was the safh

ofid mugal conflict which was a series

of wars fought between these two Muslim

empires in the 17th century now both

Empires had their eye on expanding into

the Persian Gulf in Central Asia but

even more to the point the conflict

erupted because of religious rivalry

remember earlier when I said it was kind

of a big deal that the safavids were

Shia Muslims well I wasn't just saying

that for poops and Giggles that decision

by Sha Ismail put the safavid into

direct conflict with the mugal who were

Sunni and both claimed to be the

rightful heirs to previous Muslim

dynasties so they started slapping each

other in a series of wars that lasted

decades which in the end had no clear

Victory and the second example was the

Sanai Moroccan conflict so the sonai

Empire had expanded significantly by the

16th century and had grown stupid Rich

because of their participation and

partial control of the trans Saharan

trade but right about that time they

began to weaken because of significant

internal problems and so the growing

Moroccan Kingdom to the north saw the

weakness and decided they wanted to have

more control over the trade routes

controlled by the sonai so in a surprise

Invasion the Moroccans whipped the song

High which they were able to do because

of their gunpowder weapons of which the

s High had none all right click here to

keep reviewing for unit 3 and click here

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A in your class and a five on your exam

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