Empires Expand
These new weapons allowed land‑based empires to expand dramatically between 1450–1750.
What are gunpowder and cannons?
The Ottomans used this system to recruit Christian boys for government and military service.
What is devshirme?
This major Christian movement broke from the Catholic Church in the 1500s.
What is the Protestant Reformation?
These four major land empires dominated Afro‑Eurasia during this period.
What are the Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Manchu empires?
Rulers used these large, impressive buildings — like Versailles — to legitimize their power.
What is monumental architecture?
This split within Islam intensified due to Ottoman–Safavid rivalry.
What is the Sunni–Shi’a divide?
This conflict between two Islamic empires reflected political and religious rivalry.
What is the Ottoman–Safavid conflict?
Mughal rulers used these local officials to collect taxes.
Who are the zamindars?
This syncretic religion developed in South Asia, blending elements of Islam and Hinduism
What is Sikhism?
This empire in West Africa was defeated by Morocco due to gunpowder weapons.
What is the Songhai Empire?
The Ottomans used this system where private individuals collected taxes on behalf of the state.
What is tax farming?
The Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformation with this movement.
What is the Catholic Reformation (or Counter‑Reformation)?
Imperial expansion relied not only on gunpowder but also on this type of commerce backed by military force.
What is armed trade?
Rulers strengthened central control by relying on these two groups of state workers.
What are bureaucratic elites and military professionals?
Religious conflict and reform movements during this period contributed to the spread of this global religion.
What is Christianity?