European Culture
The invention of the printing press facilitated the publishing and spread of Renaissance and Reformation literature and ideology throughout Europe
What is the divine right of kings?
The divine right of kings stated that monarchs were divinely appointed by God, thereby granting them absolute power over their subjects
Who were the Manchu, and why were they historically significant?
The Manchu were nomadic peoples living in Manchuria (northern China today) who invaded and conquered China in the mid-17th century, eventually defeating the Ming Dynasty and establishing the Qing Dynasty
Who was Babur, and why is he historically significant?
Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad (Babur) was a Central Asian warlord and descendant of both Genghis Khan and Timur. Babur is historically significant for invading and conquering northern India in the early 16th century, thereby founding the Mughal Empire.
What historical entity most inspired the rise of the Ottoman and Mughal empires?
The Mongol Empire inspired both the Ottoman and Mughal empires, as all of them originated from nomadic groups before taking part in expansive conquest
How did the Renaissance serve as a 'revival' in Europe?
The Renaissance inspired cultural innovations in visual and performing arts based on classical Greco-Roman standards, as well as the birth of the humanist movement that encouraged education and literacy throughout Europe
Why did Martin Luther criticize the Catholic Church?
Martin Luther opposed the church's policy of selling indulgences as fund-raising devices. He also generally opposed the church's hierarchy, political involvement, and widespread corruption.
Who was Zheng He, and why is he historically significant?
Zheng He was a Chinese admiral (and Muslim eunuch) who engaged in a series of "treasure voyages" throughout the Indian Ocean during the early 15th century as a means of reestablishing Chinese trade and prestige. His voyages helped legitimize the Ming Dynasty and reinvigorated Chinese ocean trade.
Who were the Janissary Corps?
The Janissary Corpse were an elite Ottoman infantry unit composed of slave troops taken from the Christian population as part of the devshirme policy
Describe the use of Neo-Confucianism in China during the Ming Dynasty
Neo-Confucianism was based on a synthesis of traditional Confucianism with popular Buddhism, allowing for a more "modern" governing philosophy that allowed religious pluralism but maintained a strict social hierarchy
What did the Protestant Reformation reveal about European society?
Who benefited the most from the Protestant Reformation, and why?
Centralizing monarchs benefited the most from the Protestant Reformation as it limited the authority of the Catholic Church and granted them more independent political power, particularly if they converted to Protestantism
What foreign policy was pursued by both Japan and the late Ming dynasty?
Both Japan and the late Ming Dynasty supported policies of isolationism and xenophobia; they welcomed trade from East Asian merchants, but feared European economic and cultural penetration
What major characteristics did the Ottoman and Mughal empires share?
- Islamic empires
- Use of gunpowder weaponry
- Strong, centralized bureaucracies
- Ruled multi-ethnic and multi-religious populations
Describe the Japanese ukiyo ("floating worlds")
The ukiyo were Japanese urban entertainment districts popular during the Edo period. The "floating worlds" were centers of Japanese culture and included theaters, brothels, tea houses, art shops, and more.
How did Early Modern European society differ from Medieval European society?
Early Modern European society largely moved past the feudal system and embraced a new system of centralized monarchies, both absolute and constitutional. The power of the Catholic Church was diminished, but religion still played a significant role in European society. Education and literacy was more widely-spread, and urbanization was occurring in many European kingdoms.
Identify TWO ways in which European monarchs consolidated their power during this time period
- King Louis XIV of France created a standing army and took control of state finances
- King Louis XIV of France moved the capital from Paris to Versailles and required the nobility to live with him, allowing him to supervise their actions
- Isobel and Ferdinand of Spain utilized the Spanish Inquisition to root out religious minorities
- King Henry VIII of England (and many others) converted to Protestantism in order to declare independence from the Catholic Church
- Mary and William of England created the English Bill of Rights, personally limiting their power while granting more authority to Parliament
- The Dutch Republic (and others) wrote and ratified constitutions in order to centralize power while granting rights to their citizens
Identify THREE major accomplishments of the Ming Dynasty in China
- Reestablished native Han Chinese rule following the collapse of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty
- Restored the Confucian meritocracy, thereby reviving Confucian education and the civil service examination
- Rebuilt and expanded the Great Wall of China for defensive purposes
- Sponsored Zheng He's "treasure voyages" throughout the Indian Ocean
- Moved the capital city to Beijing in order to better fortify the frontier
- Established Mandarin Chinese as the official script and language of China
Compare the policies of Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb
While both Akbar and Aurangzeb supported government centralized and territorial expansion, Akbar was religiously tolerant whereas Aurangzeb imposed strict Islamic rule
Identify TWO ways in which Asian rulers consolidated their power during this time period
- Ming emperors restored the Confucian bureaucracy and utilized Confucian education and civil service
- Japanese shoguns used the policy of "alternate attendance" to supervise the actions of daimyos
- Both Chinese and Japanese rulers isolated their countries from foreign trade as a means of protecting culture and consolidating power
- Ottoman emperors used the devshirme to collect human tribute from the Christian population
- Akbar of the Mughal Empire utilized the "divine faith" to secure loyalty and religious freedom
- Aurangzeb of the Mughal Empire imposed strict Islamic law upon his people in order to unite them
- Both Ottoman and Mughal emperors utilized standing militaries armed with gunpowder weaponry to expand and conquer territory
Identify THREE major effects of the Protestant Reformation
- Diminished the power of the Catholic Church
- Creation of independent Protestant churches
- Religious wars throughout Europe, including the Thirty Years' War
- Witch hunts and witch trials throughout Europe
- Encouraged the rise of independent kingdoms and both absolute and constitutional monarchies
Explain the historical significance of the Peace of Westphalia
Aside from officially ending the Thirty Years' War, the Peace of Westphalia established a "balance of power" in Europe in which all states had to recognize each other as sovereign and equal
Describe the social structure of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate
1 - "Emperor"
2 - Shogun
3 - Daimyo
4 - Samurai
5 - Peasants
6 - Artisans & Merchants
What factors contributed the rapid growth and expansion of the Ottoman and Mughal empires?
- Utilization of gunpowder weaponry
- Creation of disciplined standing armies
- Control of major trade routes for taxation
- Absolute monarchies supported centralized power
What factors contributed to the eventual decline of the Gunpowder Empires?
- Cultural conservatism and a refusal to modernize
- Economic and technological stagnation
- Decline in military discipline and tactics
- Territorial encroachment by Western imperial powers
- Abandonment of religious tolerance as a policy