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Unit 3

Unit 3 Overview: Land-Based Empires

11 min read•june 18, 2024

Evan Liddle

Riya Patel

AP World History: Modern 🌍

577 resources

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Unit 3 Overview: Land-Based Empires

The one thing you need to know about this unit:

Ruling is Complicated

Lots of territory + diverse populations + external challenges = many different ruling styles, techniques and methods.

Contextualizing the Unit

While the Columbian Exchange and Columbus’s Voyages capture most of the attention between 1450-1750, at the same time, around the world a number of land empires centralized. These Land Empires are meant to be a topic to compare and contrast with each other and with the Maritime Empires of Unit 4.

Gunpowder technology was getting better, making it easier to use guns en masse. Intensification of trade routes also occurred on land, meaning that the new empires would have access to a larger pool of resources than their predecessors.

These empires were different, but a few continuities remained. Religion and cultural ideas continued to play a role, and even spread within empires. Empires continued to be absolute, with most maintaining strict political and economic control over their domains.

🎥Watch: WHAP - Overview of the World 1450-1750

Main Events

1453: Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople, Rise of the Ottoman Empire

1471: Completion of the Sun Temple in Cuzco, rise of the Inca Empire

1517: Martin Luther publishes 95 Theses, Protestant Reformation begins

1526: Guru Nanak founded the first Sikh Community

1600: Tokugawa Shogun unifies Japan

1644: Qing Dynasty is founded

1682: Palace of Versaille completed in France

1707: Death of Emperor Aurangzeb, weakening of the Mughal Empire

Major Trends Between 1450-1750

New military weapons make wars more decisive
Increase in the size and number of Empires

Administrative systems → more resources to expand
Collapse of Nomadic Empires → room for landed empires to expand
Continued spread of major religions associated with empires

Utilization of religious ideas to solidify rule.

Rulers continue to use religious ideas to justify their rule
Rulers waged conflicts against other rulers of different religions

What is a Land-Based Empire?

What is a land-based empire? By the name it may seem obvious, and it is to an extent. But there are a few key features of these empires.

1. The term land-based empire--as it explicitly applies to AP World History--refers to empires which existed during the period 1450-1750. Although some existed before and after, most are confined to this time period.

2. These empires were land-based, meaning they focused their attention predominantly on land-based expansion or administration and did not express interest in controlling overseas territory. Why? That’s complicated, and unique to each state. But some reasons include:

Long-term conflict with other land-based powers, which focus attention on land-based concerns.

These regions did not have a history of state sponsorship of naval activity; for example, merchants may have done most of the overseas trading.

Settled nomads who were not interested in overseas expansion ruled a few of these states.

This rule has several notable exceptions of course: The Ottoman, Ming and French Empires all sponsored or supported major naval expeditions, and the Tokugawa Shogunate launched a major seaborne invasion of Korea. But overall, these states focused predominantly on land-based expansion. *Pointing out these exceptions in an essay would be an excellent complexity point.*

3. These were empires, and, while each empire was run slightly differently with different systems of administration or taxation or military technology, they were absolute monarchies. These should not be confused with democracies or representative governments.

Let’s meet the land-based empires

(While these are the empires which are explicitly listed in the AP World Course description, you can probably think of other empires similar to these.)

In Asia:

The Ming and Qing Dynasty in modern China

The Ming Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that ruled China from 1368 to 1644. It followed the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was known for its trade expansion to the outside world, including the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the Treasure Fleet, a powerful navy that allowed China to become a dominant maritime power. The Ming Dynasty is also known for its cultural achievements, including the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the completion of the Great Wall of China.

The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was founded by the Manchu people, who conquered the Ming Dynasty and established their own rule over China. The Qing Dynasty is known for its territorial expansion, including the conquest of Taiwan and parts of Central Asia. It was also a period of economic and cultural growth, with the creation of a unified currency and the development of a distinct Qing style of art and literature. However, the Qing Dynasty was also marked by political and social unrest, including several major rebellions and the Taiping Rebellion, which was one of the deadliest conflicts in world history.

The Tokugawa Shogunate in modern Japan

The Tokugawa Shogunate, also known as the Edo period, was a period in Japanese history that lasted from 1603 to 1868. It was a time of relative peace and stability, marked by the centralization of power under the Tokugawa Shogunate, a hereditary military dictatorship that ruled Japan during this time. The Tokugawa Shogunate implemented a number of policies that had a lasting impact on Japan, including the sakoku policy, which isolated Japan from the rest of the world and restricted foreign trade and contact.

During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan underwent significant economic and cultural development. The economy became more centralized and industrialized, and the arts, including literature, theater, and the tea ceremony, flourished. The shogunate also established a system of feudalism, in which the daimyo, or regional lords, were required to spend every other year in the capital, Edo (present-day Tokyo). This helped to further consolidate the shogunate's power and maintain stability throughout the country.

The Tokugawa Shogunate ended in 1868, when the Meiji Restoration restored power to the emperor and ended the shogunate's rule. The Meiji period saw the modernization and westernization of Japan, as the country opened up to foreign influence and underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization.

The Mughal Empire in modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

The Mughal Empire was a Muslim dynasty that ruled India from the early 16th to the mid-19th century. It was founded by Babur, a Chaghatai Turkic prince who traced his ancestry back to Timur, the Turco-Mongol conqueror, on his father's side, and to Genghis Khan on his mother's side. The Mughal Empire is known for its cultural achievements and the relative peace and prosperity that it brought to the region during its rule.

Under the Mughal Empire, the arts, including literature, architecture, and painting, flourished. The Mughal emperors, particularly Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Jahangir, were patrons of the arts and encouraged the development of a distinct Mughal style of art and architecture. The Mughal Empire is also known for its religious tolerance, as the emperors welcomed people of different faiths and sought to create a peaceful and harmonious society.

The Mughal Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the world, at its peak stretching from present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan in the west to Bangladesh and parts of India in the east. It came to an end in the mid-19th century, as the British East India Company gained more and more control over India and eventually took control of the Mughal Empire.

The Safavid Empire in modern Iran and Iraq

The Safavid Empire was a Persian Empire that ruled over parts of present-day Iran, Iraq, and the Caucasus region from the early 16th to the mid-18th century. It was founded by Ismail I, who established the Safavid Dynasty and declared Twelver Shia Islam the official religion of the empire. The Safavid Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its role in the spread of Shia Islam in the region.

During the Safavid Empire, the arts, including literature, architecture, and painting, flourished. The Safavids were patrons of the arts and encouraged the development of a distinct Safavid style of art and architecture. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major libraries and the support of scholars and intellectuals.

The Safavid Empire was a major regional power and had a significant influence on the culture and history of the Middle East. It came to an end in the mid-18th century, when it was conquered by the Afghan Hotaki dynasty. The Qajar dynasty, which followed the Safavids, eventually regained control of the empire and ruled over Iran until the early 20th century.

The Ottoman Empire (some parts of the Ottoman Empire were in Europe) in modern Turkey, Egypt, Syria and Jordan

The Ottoman Empire was a Muslim empire that ruled over a large territory that included parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa from the late 13th to the early 20th century. It was founded by Osman I, who established the Ottoman Dynasty and expanded the territory of the empire over the centuries. The Ottoman Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its role as a major world power.

During the Ottoman Empire, the arts, including literature, architecture, and music, flourished. The Ottomans were patrons of the arts and encouraged the development of a distinct Ottoman style of art and architecture. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major libraries and the support of scholars and intellectuals.

The Ottoman Empire was a major regional power and had a significant influence on the culture and history of the Middle East. It came to an end in the early 20th century, following the First World War, when the empire was dissolved and its territory was divided into several new states. The modern nation of Turkey was established on the territory of the former Ottoman Empire and is the successor state to the Ottoman Empire.

In Africa:

The Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire was a West African empire that ruled over a large territory that included parts of modern-day Mali, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria from the 14th to the 16th century. It was founded by Sonni Ali, who established the Songhai Dynasty and expanded the territory of the empire through military conquests. The Songhai Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its role as a major regional power.

During the Songhai Empire, the arts, including literature, music, and architecture, flourished. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major universities and the support of scholars and intellectuals. The Songhai Empire is particularly known for its contributions to the study of mathematics, astronomy, and Islamic studies.

The Songhai Empire was a major regional power in West Africa and had a significant influence on the culture and history of the region. It came to an end in the 16th century, when it was conquered by the Moroccan Saadi dynasty. The fall of the Songhai Empire marked the end of the Mali Empire, which had previously been the dominant power in West Africa.

In Europe:

French Empire

The French Empire, also known as the Napoleonic Empire, was a French state that ruled over a large territory that included parts of Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the early 19th to the mid-19th century. It was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, who established himself as Emperor of the French and expanded the territory of the empire through military conquests. The French Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its impact on European politics and history.

During the French Empire, the arts, including literature, music, and architecture, flourished. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major universities and the support of scholars and intellectuals. The French Empire is particularly known for its contributions to the fields of law, administration, and education, as many of the institutions and systems that were developed during this time continue to influence these fields today.

The French Empire came to an end in the mid-19th century, following Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The monarchy was restored in France and the territory of the empire was gradually reduced through a series of treaties. However, the legacy of the French Empire lives on in the many countries that were influenced by French culture and institutions during this time.

Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a state that ruled over a large territory that included parts of Europe and Asia from the late 18th to the early 20th century. It was founded by Catherine the Great, who established the Romanov Dynasty and expanded the territory of the empire through military conquests. The Russian Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its role as a major world power.

During the Russian Empire, the arts, including literature, music, and architecture, flourished. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major universities and the support of scholars and intellectuals. The Russian Empire is particularly known for its contributions to the fields of science and technology, as many notable scientists and inventors, including Mikhail Lomonosov and Dmitry Mendeleev, worked and studied in Russia during this time.

The Russian Empire came to an end in the early 20th century, following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent collapse of the monarchy. The Soviet Union, which was established on the territory of the former Russian Empire, became a major world power and played a significant role in global politics for much of the 20th century.

In the Americas:

Inca (Inka)

The Inca Empire, also known as the Inka Empire or the Tawantinsuyu, was a South American empire that ruled over a large territory that included parts of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and Colombia from the 13th to the 16th century. It was founded by the Inca civilization, which developed in the Andean region of South America and eventually came to dominate much of the region through military conquests. The Inca Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its sophisticated system of government and administration.

During the Inca Empire, the arts, including literature, music, and architecture, flourished. The Incas were skilled metalworkers and weavers and produced many works of art and crafts in gold, silver, and other materials. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major universities and the support of scholars and intellectuals. The Inca Empire is particularly known for its system of quipus, which were knotted cords that were used for record-keeping and communication.

The Inca Empire came to an end in the 16th century, when it was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro. The fall of the Inca Empire marked the end of the pre-Columbian civilizations in South America and the beginning of the colonial period.

Aztec Empire (also known as the Mexica, for the dominant cultural group within the empire)

The Aztec Empire, also known as the Mexica Empire, was a Mesoamerican empire that ruled over a large territory that included parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America from the 14th to the 16th century. It was founded by the Aztec civilization, which developed in the central valley of Mexico and eventually came to dominate much of the region through military conquests. The Aztec Empire is known for its cultural achievements and its sophisticated system of government and administration.

During the Aztec Empire, the arts, including literature, music, and architecture, flourished. The Aztecs were skilled metalworkers and weavers and produced many works of art and crafts in gold, silver, and other materials. The empire was also a center of learning and scholarship, with the establishment of several major universities and the support of scholars and intellectuals. The Aztec Empire is particularly known for its system of writing, which was based on glyphs, or symbols, that represented sounds and concepts.

The Aztec Empire came to an end in the 16th century, when it was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés. The fall of the Aztec Empire marked the end of the pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica and the beginning of the colonial period.

Review Time

After studying on your own, invite some friends to a

study with me online session

to discuss the main points of the unit and review anything that you may be confused on. It is a great way to for everyone to feel supported while studying!

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🐎Unit 1 – The Global Tapestry, 1200-1450

🐫Unit 2 – Networks of Exchange, 1200-1450

🕌Unit 3 – Land-Based Empires, 1450-1750

3.0Unit 3 Overview: Land-Based Empires

3.1Expansion of Land-Based Empires

3.2Governments of Land-Based Empires

3.3Belief Systems of Land-Based Empires

3.4Comparison in Land-Based Empires

🍕Unit 4 – Transoceanic Interactions, 1450-1750

✊🏽Unit 5 – Revolutions, 1750-1900

🚂Unit 6 – Consequences of Industrialization, 1750-1900