#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 Questi...

Governments of Land-Based Empires