POP Quiz! 10/30/23

Which of the following contributed the most to the Ottoman Empire’s successful expansion in Europe and the Middle East in the period from 1450 to 1600 ?

• The Ottomans’ use of revenues from transoceanic trade to build a powerful army
• The Ottomans’ use of nomadic tribes as cavalry troops
• The Ottomans’ adoption of the gunpowder artillery technology and its elite fighting force.

• The Ottomans’ exploitation of Muslim desire to avenge the crusades

What was the principle responsibilities of the Janissaries?

• Elite infantrymen trained for military service from childhood
• Clergy responsible for dispensing and deciphering religious texts
• The solely advise the sultan on any matter
• They had absolute authority over the kingdom

Which answer best describes 'Devshirme' the process in which Janissary soldiers were recruited?

• Infantrymen volunteered as a means of earning citizenship within the Ottoman empire.

• Children were taken from among Non-Muslim groups as part of a blood tax to be trained as soldiers.

• Individuals completed a series of examinations to earn a place among the military and later the government bureacracy.

• Only those within specific bloodlines could be selected based upon their lineage to the Prophet and their Islamic background.

Which answer best describes how Non-Muslims were treated under the rule of the Ottoman Empire?

• They were forcibly converted to Islam.

• They were treated as complete equals by Muslims
• They had to pay a Jizya, or special taxes.

• They were expelled to nearby Eastern Europe.

Despite Mehmed II claims, the Ottoman empire under his rule, would conquer what major trade hub between Europe and Asia in 1453AD?

• The Mediterranean Sea, which the Ottoman Empire governed all ports North, South, and East.

• The Byzantine capital, Constantinople, which was once thought to be impregnable.

• Baghdad, which at the time, was considered to be in Safavid territory.

• The capital city of the Dehli Sultan after an impressive gunpowder victory.

Which answer best describes Ottoman approach to spreading the Islamic faith amongst their diverse population?

• They focused on the Merchant class, promising protection from bandits and pirates.

• People were given the opportunity to work in the government, providing they complete a exam on Islamic topics.

• The Ottoman empire utilized taxation supported by their military to encourage people to choose to convert for their own benefit.

• Those .considered foriegn were not permitted to enter the cities and instead had to reside only in ports and hongs.

The Safavid Dynasty mostly resided in what area?

• A, known today as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and home to Medina and Mecca.

• B, known today as Iran. This area included the historic city of Baghdad.

• C, known today as Afghanistan. This area today remains in contention between rival groups.

• K, known today as India. This region maintains a cultural connection between Hindus and Muslims.

What developments may have prevented the former Islamic world from uniting after the fall of the Mongols?

• Most of the Islamic cities had been destroyed and many people had moved far away.

• Conflicting ideas regarding succession separated different Islamic sects from uniting under the same banner.

• Geographical barriers prevented similar groups from reuniting as climate change resulted in harsher conditions.

• Some groups wished to maintain their nomadic lineage while others desired adopting more domesticated lifestyles.

Which of the following answers would best describe how the Safavid interacted with neighboring regions?

• The Safavids built long, extensive barriers to protect their capital from the threat of invading nomads.

• Seeking greater economic growth, they conquered the trade hub of Constantinople to control trade between Europe and Asia.

• Border disputes arose between neighboring Islamic empires as the Safavid attempted to expand their territory.

• The Silk Road florished under Safavid rule as more Caravanserai were built under the protection of their roaming guards.

Which of the following answer could best be used to describe an example of 'syncretism'?

• The creation of Sikhism, which combines aspects of Hinduism and the Islamic faith.

• Massive tombs created for respective significant others
• Emergence of capitalist economies in Southwest Asia as East Asia reduced their participation in the Silk Road.

• Islam's dominance over Mughal India