Apex Learning - Study Sheet 5.4.3

5.4.
3 Study: Islamic Land Empires Study Guide

World History Honors Sem 1 Name:
Date:
Use this study guide to keep track of the important concepts covered in this activity. If you need help
answering any of the questions, check with your instructor. Save these study guides for review when
preparing for quizzes and tests.
Write the definition to each of the key terms below.

Word Definition
devshirme A system of education used by the Ottoman Empire that took boys
from Christian families, converted them to Islam, and then trained
them to become military or political leaders within the empire.
Gunpowder Empires (ca. 1300 – ca. 1600) The civilizations of the Mughals, Ottomans, and
Safavids that were able to create their empires using newly developed
gunpowder-based weapons such as cannons and small arms.
Mehmed the Conqueror (1432 – 1481) The sultan of the Ottoman Empire for two periods, from
1444 to 1446 and from 1451 to 1481. He conquered Constantinople
and greatly expanded the size of the Ottoman Empire through
conquest.
Mughal Empire (1526 – 1857) The large and powerful kingdom that stretched from
the Indian subcontinent to modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. It
was known for its unique architecture and its own Persian-based
language called Urdu.
Safavid Empire (1501 – 1736) A Persian empire that at its height contolled all of
modern-day Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, and parts of Iraq, Georgia,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey. One of the three Islamic
"Gunpowder Empires."
Shia The second-largest denomination in Islam. Unlike other Muslims, Shia

Muslims believe that only God has the right to choose a representative
to protect Islam. Therefore, they do not recognize the first four caliphs
as rightful successors to Muhammad and instead believe that
Muhammad's son-in-law Ali was the rightful successor.
Süleyman the Magnificent (1494 – 1566) The 10th emperor of the Ottoman Empire. Known for
his legal reforms and military conquests in Europe, Süleyman ruled
during the peak of the empire's power.
Sunni The largest denomination in Islam, sometimes referred to as the

orthodox version of the religion. Sunnis believe that the first four
caliphs were the rightful successors to Muhammad. They follow the
Quran and the Hadith.
Write a short answer to each question.
1. How did the geographic location of the Ottoman Empire lead to its growth, wealth, power, and
influence?
The wealth of the Ottoman Empire was a direct result of its location on the Anatolian peninsula. Because
of the empire's location, most trade that came from the East had to go through territory controlled by the
empire. The Ottomans taxed international trade and became wealthy because of it.
2. What characteristics marked the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent?
During his reign, the Ottoman Empire was at its largest, wealthiest, and most influential.
3. What roles did women play in the Ottoman Empire?
Women in the Ottoman Empire had more rights and responsibilities than their European counterparts.
They could own and inherit land, and some women even served as officials in the Ottoman court.
4. What was devshirme?
Devshirme was a kind of slavery. The Ottoman sultan took child slaves as tributes from non-Muslim
families in the empire. Those slaves were raised to follow Islam and became loyal soldiers to the sultan.
5. What was the major conflict between the Safavids and Ottomans?
The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims, while the Safavids were Shia Muslims. This led them to directly
oppose each other. The Safavids aligned themselves with European Christians in order to gain an
advantage.
6. What did Akbar the Great do that made the Mughal Empire so successful?
Akbar the Great encouraged religious tolerance and moderation, which created a very stable and long-
lasting empire.
7. What are the origins of Sikhism?
Sikhism emerged during the Mughal Empire and combined aspects of both Hinduism and Islam,
including the beliefs in reincarnation and in one all-powerful god.
8. Why were some Islamic empires also known as Gunpowder Empires?
These empires used significant advances in weapon technology, particularly cannons, to expand their
power. For example, the Ottomans were able to use their powerful cannons to destroy the walls of
Constantinople, which had once been considered indestructible.
Expand your thinking on questions raised in this activity.
9. How might history have been different if the Ottomans had lost the Battle of Constantinople in 1453?
Many answers are possible. Below is one way you might have answered.
If the Ottomans hadn't established their empire, it's possible that no one power would have controlled
access to trade routes to the Far East. And if that had been the case, Europeans might have been less
eager to find new routes to Asia, which is what had led to the Age of Exploration. So without the expanse
of the Ottoman Empire, history might have been very different.
10. Emperor Aurangzeb was very intolerant of other religions, which helped cause the decline of the
Mughal Empire. Do you think religious intolerance is always bad for an empire?
Answers will vary. Below is one possible answer.
Empires have generally been more successful if they have shown tolerance of different religions, as the
Ottoman Empire did. Both the Ottoman and early Mughal emperors had to be tolerant because they ruled
over so many different people.
In one to two sentences, write the "big idea" or main point of this study.
Islamic land empires such as the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires greatly influenced the
development of world cultures, religions, methods of warfare, the arts, and politics.
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5.4.

3 Study: Islamic Land Empires Study Guide

Write the deﬁnition to each of the key terms below.

Shia The second-largest denomination in Islam. Unlike other Muslims, Shia

Sunni The largest denomination in Islam, sometimes referred to as the

Write a short answer to each question.

2. What characteristics marked the reign of Süleyman the Magniﬁcent?

3. What roles did women play in the Ottoman Empire?

4. What was devshirme?

7. What are the origins of Sikhism?

8. Why were some Islamic empires also known as Gunpowder Empires?

Expand your thinking on questions raised in this activity.

Answers will vary. Below is one possible answer.

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