WHAP Flashcards - Unit 3 - Land-Based Empires 1450-1750

Front

How did the Ottoman Empire expand starting in the 14th century?

Back

Through the use of gunpowder weapons and the Devshirme system, including the elite Janissary corps.

Front

What was the Devshirme system?

Back

A system where Christian boys from the Balkans were enslaved, converted to Islam, and trained to serve in the Ottoman bureaucracy and military.

Front

How did the Safavid Empire expand in the 16th century?

Back

Through gunpowder weapons and an enslaved Christian army from the Caucasus region, developed under Shah Abbas.

Front

How did the Mughal Empire expand starting in the 16th century?

Back

Babur used gunpowder weapons to defeat the Delhi Sultanate. Akbar expanded and legitimized rule through religious tolerance.

Front

What was the root of the Ottoman-Safavid rivalry?

Back

The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims and the Safavids were Shi’a, deepening the Sunni-Shi’a split.

Front

What caused the Safavid-Mughal conflict?

Back

A territorial and religious conflict over land in Afghanistan; Safavids were Shi’a, Mughals were Sunni.

Front

How did the Safavids deepen the Sunni-Shi’a divide?

Back

Shah Ismail enforced Shi’a Islam, executed Sunnis, and rejected the first three Sunni caliphs.

Front

What does it mean to legitimize and consolidate power?

Back

Legitimizing is establishing authority; consolidating is centralizing and strengthening control.

Front

How did rulers use bureaucracies to consolidate power?

Back

By creating organized systems with loyal officials to enforce laws and maintain control.

Front

How did the Ottomans use bureaucracy to consolidate power?

Back

Through the Devshirme system, producing loyal bureaucrats and Janissary soldiers.