Do-Now• Take out your homework and, with your
groupmates, discuss your answers. Come to a consensus (agreement) and write your answers on the white board given to you.
• You have 8 minutes to do this.
• BJOTD: Why was the computer so tired when he came home from work?
Objectives
• The Student will know– the major empires of the world in 1500 CE
• The Student will understand– History is written by those who win.
• The Student will be able to:– Describe some of the major characteristics of the
Empires in 1500 CE– Locate on a map the major empires of the world in
1500 CE– Work with a partner to investigate the reasons why
some history is never heard of
Outline
• European Kingdoms• Africa (Songhai state)• Gunpowder States (Ottomans,
Safavids, Mughals)• Asia (China & Japan)• American Civilizations (Aztecs, Inca)• Trade Networks / Product Origins
European Kingdoms
• Holy Roman Empire–Location: Northern Italy and
German States–Close ties to the Catholic Church–Ruled by the Hapsburgs (Charles
V)
• France–Wins 100 Years War–Emerges as most
powerful continental nation state under the Capetian dynasty
• England– Norman Conquest results in
Anglo-Saxon/French culture– Loss in 100 Years War ends
British claim to the continent– Henry VIII (a Tudor King) is
the current ruler– Parliament controls the
money
• Spain–Reconquista
reestablishes Christian European dominance over Moors (Muslims)
–Spanish Armada is major force
–Beginning exploration of the Americas
Africa
• Songhai–Controlled the Gold-
Salt trade–Islamic religion–Timbuktu: Islamic
Cultural Center and city
Ottoman Empire• Ottomans (Today’s Turks)
–Conquer Byzantines in 1453 (Constantinople becomes Istanbul)
–Empire on 3 continents (Asia, Europe and Africa) united by Islam
–Take Balkans up to Vienna–Sunni Muslims–Trade in coffee and
ceramics
Decline of the Ottomans
• Decline of the Ottoman Empire
• 1798-1920
• Nation state of Turkey emerges
Safavid Empire (Persian)
• Location=Southwest Asia (Iran today)
• Religion=Islam (Shi’ite/Shi’a)
• Silk Trade
Palace at Isfahan
Mughal Empire
• Location= North and Central Indian subcontinent
• Religion=Islam, but the people are mostly Hindu
• Establish trade with Europeans along SW coast (Portuguese, English, Dutch)
Ming Empire (China)
–Overthrow Mongols–Explorations of
Admiral Zheng He–Beijing and
Forbidden City–Establish European
trade enclaves to limit outside influences
• Ming Empire in 1580 CE
Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
–Tokugawa Shogunate unifies feudal
Japan (Muskets)–Social Pyramid :Emperor, Shogun,
Daimyo, Samurai, Peasants (strict)–Isolationist (Act of Seclusion)
Aztec Empire• Location= Central Mexico• Capital city=Tenochtitlan
Inca and Aztec
• Society=hierarchical, led by Emperor• Religion= polytheism, included human
sacrifice• Depended on tribute from surrounding
states
Trade Goods
• Asia: Paper, Compass, Silk, Porcelain• India: Textiles, # System, Spices, Gems• Middle East: Astronomy, Medicines,
Mathematics (al jabr)• Africa: Ivory and Gold