#AP World History: Modern - Empire Organization Study Guide 🌍

Hey there, future AP World History master! Let's dive into how empires organized themselves. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for a quick, effective review. Let's get started!

#🏛️ Bureaucratic and Military Elites

Empires often relied on bureaucratic and military elites to maintain control and ensure smooth functioning. These elites held significant power and influence.

#Bureaucratic Elites

Definition: Individuals with power due to knowledge and expertise in government administration.
Role: Implementing policies, managing resources, and making key decisions.
Example: Think of them as the 'managers' of the empire, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

#Military Elites

Definition: Individuals with power due to their rank and position in the military.
Role: Leading troops, making strategic decisions, and representing the military.
Example: The 'muscle' of the empire, ensuring security and expansion.

#Case Studies

Ottoman Empire - Devshirme System
- Recruited non-Muslim children, educated them, and assigned them to military (Janissaries) or government roles.
- Initially non-hereditary, preventing power rivals to the Sultan. Later, this changed, causing problems.

Key Concept

The devshirme system is a classic example of how empires used a merit-based system to create a loyal elite.

Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
- Samurai transitioned from warriors to administrators after the unification of Japan.
- Many became ronin (masterless samurai) due to a lack of positions, causing potential instability.

Quick Fact

Samurai becoming administrators shows how empires adapt to changing needs.

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#Masterless Samurai. A highly trained and equipped warrior class with no purpose. What could go wrong? As with the Janissaries military elites can be liabilities as well as benefits. Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

The devshirme system in the Ottoman Empire is best described as: (a) a system of hereditary nobility. (b) a system of recruiting non-Muslim children for military and administrative roles. (c) a system of tax collection. (d) a system of religious conversion.
What was a consequence of the transition of samurai from warriors to administrators in the Tokugawa Shogunate? (a) Increased military power of the Shogunate. (b) Creation of a new class of hereditary administrators. (c) The emergence of ronin. (d) The abolition of the military.

Short Answer Question:

Briefly explain how the Ottoman Empire and the Tokugawa Shogunate used military elites in their governance. Provide one similarity and one difference in their approaches.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the ways in which empires used bureaucratic and military elites to maintain and consolidate power during the period 1450-1750. In your response, be sure to provide specific examples of at least two empires. (7 points)

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning about the use of bureaucratic and military elites.
Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the use of elites in empires during the period 1450-1750. * Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of how at least two empires used bureaucratic and military elites to maintain and consolidate power.
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how these examples demonstrate the ways in which elites were used to maintain and consolidate power.
Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a complex understanding of the topic, such as by explaining nuance or contradiction, or by connecting to other time periods or themes.

#🎨 Great Works of Art, Monuments, and Pretty Buildings

Empires used art, monuments, and architecture for various purposes: religious reinforcement, military displays, trade promotion, and personal glorification.

#Religious Buildings

Inca Empire: The sun temple in Cuzco reinforced the ruler's connection to the sun god Inti. *

Quick Fact

Spanish later built a church on top to symbolize their victory.

![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_750468_1061.png?alt=media&token=467a744b-a7ad-4f0b-945c-13307b05fbb5) ###### Christian Church built on Incan ruins. Image Courtesy of Wikipedia * **Mughal Empire**: **Mausoleums** like the **Taj Mahal** reflected Islamic architecture and piety of the rulers. *

Memory Aid

Think of the Taj Mahal as a giant, beautiful, religious statement.

#Military Strength

Palace of Versailles (France): Served as a parade ground for military demonstrations, showcasing Louis XIV's power. *

Exam Tip

Remember Versailles wasn't just for fancy parties; it was a power flex!

#Divine Right

Definition: The idea that rulers derive their authority from God.
European Monarchs: Claimed to rule by the consent of the Christian God. *

Common Mistake

Don't confuse 'divine right' with rulers being gods themselves.

* **Songhai Empire**: Rulers promoted Islam, took the name Muhammad, and used stories of a *jinn* founder to legitimize their rule. ![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_989dc6_3155.jpg?alt=media&token=41ab4eef-a857-4621-9f8f-4b0bc8fd34c7) ###### If it worked once, why not keep it? The Songhai Empire, like its predecessors, continued to promote Islam. The Djenne Mosque was built in the time of Mali but continued to be used in Songhai. Image Courtesy of WallpaperFicea * **Aztec Empire**: Rulers maintained a close relationship with the priest class, who legitimized their rule through **human sacrifice**. *

Key Concept

The Aztecs' large-scale human sacrifice made them unpopular with other groups.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

The Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Empire, primarily served as: (a) a military fortress. (b) a religious school. (c) a mausoleum and a symbol of Islamic piety. (d) a center for trade.
Which of the following best describes the concept of divine right? (a) Rulers are chosen by the people through elections. (b) Rulers derive their authority from a divine power. (c) Rulers are selected by a council of nobles. (d) Rulers are chosen based on their military prowess.

Short Answer Question:

Explain how the Inca and Mughal empires used religious buildings to reinforce their rule. Provide one example from each empire.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the various ways in which rulers used art, architecture, and religious beliefs to legitimize and consolidate their power during the period 1450-1750. In your response, be sure to provide specific examples of at least three empires. (7 points)

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning about the use of art, architecture, and religion to legitimize power.
Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the use of art, architecture, and religion in empires during the period 1450-1750. * Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of how at least three empires used art, architecture, and religious beliefs to legitimize their power.
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how these examples demonstrate the ways in which these methods were used to legitimize and consolidate power.
Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a complex understanding of the topic, such as by explaining nuance or contradiction, or by connecting to other time periods or themes.

#💰 Taxes

Empires need money to function. Here’s how they collected and managed it:

Tax Collectors: Some empires had specific classes for tax collection.
- Salaried Samurai (Japan) and Zamindars (Mughal Empire): Military leaders tasked with tax collection.

Quick Fact

Zamindars were often local Hindu princes incorporated into the Mughal government.

* **Tax Farming**: Governments sold the rights to collect taxes. * **Ottoman Empire**: Tax farmers collected taxes for themselves in return for an upfront payment. *

Common Mistake

Tax farming could lead to over-taxation and stifle economic growth.

* **Forms of Taxes**: Taxes could be collected in labor, products, or money. * **Ming Empire**: Shifted to collecting all taxes in silver, leading to monetization of the economy. *

Memory Aid

Think of the Ming Empire's silver policy as a major economic shift.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

Tax farming, as practiced in the Ottoman Empire, involved: (a) the government directly collecting taxes from citizens. (b) the government selling the right to collect taxes to private individuals. (c) the government using tax revenues to fund agricultural projects. (d) the government exempting certain classes from taxation.
The Ming Empire's decision to collect all taxes in silver resulted in: (a) a decrease in trade with the Americas. (b) a decrease in the value of silver. (c) the monetization of the economy. (d) a decrease in government revenue.

Short Answer Question:

Briefly describe the practice of tax farming and explain one advantage and one disadvantage of this system.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the various methods used by empires to collect and manage taxes during the period 1450-1750. In your response, be sure to provide specific examples of at least two empires. (7 points)

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning about the methods of tax collection and management.
Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to taxation in empires during the period 1450-1750. * Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of how at least two empires collected and managed taxes.
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how these examples demonstrate the ways in which empires used different methods of taxation and management.
Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a complex understanding of the topic, such as by explaining nuance or contradiction, or by connecting to other time periods or themes.

#🚀 Final Exam Focus

Okay, you've made it through! Here’s what to focus on for the exam:

High-Value Topics: Bureaucratic and military elites, religious and political legitimization, and taxation methods are frequently tested.
Common Question Types: Expect multiple-choice questions on specific examples, short answer questions comparing methods, and free response questions analyzing themes across empires.
Time Management: Quickly identify the main point of each question. Don’t get bogged down in details you don’t need. Focus on the big picture.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid making broad generalizations. Use specific examples from the empires you've studied.

Exam Tip

Exam Tip: Practice writing thesis statements and topic sentences. These are your keys to a high score.

#🎉 You've Got This!

Remember, you've put in the work, and you're ready for this exam. Stay calm, focus on the big picture, and trust your preparation. Good luck!

#🤝 Review Time

After studying on your own, invite some friends to a study with me online session to discuss the main points of the lesson and review anything that you may be confused on. It is a great way to for everyone to feel supported while studying!