#AP World History: Modern - Unit 3: Land-Based Empires - The Ultimate Study Guide

Hey there, future AP World History master! 👋 This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for crushing Unit 3. Let's make sure you're not just ready, but excited for the exam! Remember, you've got this!

#🎯 Unit 3 Overview: Ruling is Complicated

#🧭 Contextualizing the Unit

While everyone's buzzing about the Columbian Exchange, don't forget that land-based empires were also having their moment! These empires are the perfect contrast to the maritime empires of Unit 4. Think of them as two sides of the same coin: global power, but achieved through different means.

#Key Points:

• Gunpowder Tech: Improved weaponry made conquests more efficient. ⚔️
• Trade Routes: Intensified land trade brought more resources to these empires.
• Continuities: Religion and culture still played big roles, and rulers remained absolute. 👑

#🗓️ Main Events (1450-1750)

• 1453: Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople. 🇹🇷
• 1471: Completion of the Sun Temple in Cuzco. ☀️
• 1517: Martin Luther's 95 Theses. ⛪
• 1526: Founding of the first Sikh community. 👳
• 1600: Tokugawa Shogunate unifies Japan. 🇯🇵
• 1644: Founding of the Qing Dynasty. 🇨🇳
• 1682: Palace of Versailles completed. 🏰
• 1707: Death of Emperor Aurangzeb, weakening the Mughal Empire. 🇮🇳

#📈 Major Trends (1450-1750)

• Military: New weapons = more decisive wars. 💥
• Empires: Bigger and more numerous than ever before. ⬆️
• Admin: Better systems = more resources for expansion. ⚙️
• Nomads: Decline of nomadic empires = more room for land-based ones. 🏕️➡️🏘️
• Religion: Continued spread and use to justify rule. 🙏
• Conflicts: Rulers clashed over religious differences. ⚔️

#🌍 What is a Land-Based Empire?

It's pretty self-explanatory, but here are the key features:

1. Time Period: Mostly existed between 1450-1750. 2. Land Focus: Primarily focused on land expansion and administration, not overseas territories.
   • Reasons: Land conflicts, lack of naval tradition, or settled nomadic rulers.
   • Exceptions: Ottoman, Ming, and French Empires had naval activities. Mentioning these exceptions in an essay shows complexity!

3. **Absolute Monarchies:** Ruled by absolute monarchs, not democracies.

#👑 Let’s Meet the Land-Based Empires

#📍 In Asia

#🇨🇳 The Ming and Qing Dynasties

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644):

• Known for trade expansion, including the Treasure Fleet. 🚢
• Cultural achievements like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. 🏯

Qing Dynasty (1644-1912):

• Last imperial dynasty of China, founded by the Manchu. 👲
• Territorial expansion, economic and cultural growth. 📈
• Also marked by unrest, like the Taiping Rebellion. 😥

#🇯🇵 The Tokugawa Shogunate

• Edo Period (1603-1868): Peace and stability under a military dictatorship. 🛡️
• Sakoku Policy: Isolation from the rest of the world. 🚫
• Economic and cultural development, feudal system. 🎎
• Ended with the Meiji Restoration. ⚙️

#🇮🇳 The Mughal Empire

• Muslim dynasty ruling India from the 16th to 19th century. 🕌
• Founded by Babur, with lineage to Timur and Genghis Khan. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Cultural achievements, religious tolerance. 🕊️
• Fell to the British East India Company. 🇬🇧

#🇮🇷 The Safavid Empire

• Persian Empire in modern Iran and Iraq. 🇮🇷
• Founded by Ismail I, with Shia Islam as the official religion. ☪️
• Cultural achievements, center of learning. 📚
• Conquered by the Afghan Hotaki dynasty. ⚔️

#🇹🇷 The Ottoman Empire

• Muslim empire spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. 🌍
• Founded by Osman I, with major cultural achievements. 🎭
• Center of learning and scholarship. 🎓
• Dissolved after WWI, leading to modern Turkey. 🇹🇷

#📍 In Africa

#🌍 The Songhai Empire

• West African empire from the 14th to 16th century. 🌍
• Founded by Sonni Ali, known for cultural achievements. 🎶
• Center of learning, especially in math, astronomy, and Islamic studies. 📐
• Conquered by the Moroccan Saadi dynasty. 🇲🇦

#📍 In Europe

#🇫🇷 The French Empire

• Also known as the Napoleonic Empire. 👑
• Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, with a large territory in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. 🌍
• Cultural achievements and impact on European politics. 🏛️
• Ended after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. ⚔️

#🇷🇺 The Russian Empire

• Large territory in Europe and Asia. 🌍
• Founded by Catherine the Great, with major cultural achievements. 🎭
• Center of science and technology. 🔬
• Ended with the Russian Revolution. ✊

#📍 In the Americas

#⛰️ The Inca Empire

• South American empire in the Andes region. ⛰️
• Known for sophisticated government and administration. 🏛️
• Skilled metalworkers and weavers. 🧶
• System of quipus for record-keeping. 🪢
• Conquered by the Spanish conquistadors. 🇪🇸

#🏛️ The Aztec Empire

• Mesoamerican empire in modern-day Mexico. 🇲🇽
• Known for cultural achievements and a complex system of government. 🏛️
• Skilled metalworkers and weavers. 🧵
• System of writing using glyphs. ✍️
• Conquered by the Spanish conquistadors. 🇪🇸

#🧠 Review Time

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

#Top Topics:

• Empire Building: How did these empires expand and maintain control? 👑
• Administration: What systems did they use to govern? ⚙️
• Cultural Exchange: How did cultures interact within and between empires? 🎭
• Continuity and Change: What stayed the same, and what changed? 🔄
• Comparison: How did these empires compare to each other and to maritime empires? ⚖️

#Common Question Types:

• Multiple Choice: Focus on specific events, policies, and empire characteristics. 🤔
• Short Answer: Be ready to explain key features and compare empires. ✍️
• Free Response: Analyze causes and effects, and make comparisons. 📝

#Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Don't get stuck on one question. Move on and come back. ⏱️
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague statements. Be specific and use evidence. 🎯
• Strategies: Read the question carefully and plan your response before writing. 🗺️

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following best describes a major difference between the Spanish and Portuguese empires in the Americas?

   • (A) The Spanish focused on establishing trade networks while the Portuguese focused on agricultural production.
   • (B) The Spanish established large territorial empires while the Portuguese focused on coastal trading posts.
   • (C) The Spanish relied heavily on slave labor while the Portuguese used indentured servitude.
   • (D) The Spanish were primarily interested in religious conversion while the Portuguese were mainly interested in economic gain.

2. Which of the following was a significant factor in the decline of both the Ottoman and Mughal empires?

   • (A) Religious conflicts between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
   • (B) Economic competition from European maritime powers.
   • (C) Internal political corruption and weak leadership.
   • (D) The rise of nationalist movements within their territories.

3. The Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan is best known for which of the following?

   • (A) Its aggressive expansion into Korea and China.
   • (B) Its promotion of free trade and open markets.
   • (C) Its policy of strict isolation from the outside world.
   • (D) Its embrace of Western technology and culture.

#Free Response Question:

Analyze the similarities and differences in the methods used by TWO of the following land-based empires to expand and maintain control over their territories:

• The Ottoman Empire
• The Mughal Empire
• The Qing Dynasty

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that addresses similarities and differences in the methods of expansion and control.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of methods used by each of the chosen empires.
• Analysis (2 points): Analyzes the similarities and differences in the methods used by the chosen empires. Explains how these methods contributed to expansion and control.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering the limitations or contradictions of the chosen methods or by connecting the empires to broader historical contexts.

Alright, you've got this! You're well on your way to acing this exam. Go get 'em! 💪