Ottoman rulers used firearms and organized armies to expand their territory.
← Unit 3: Land-Based Empires
Topic 3.1 · c. 1450–1750
Empires Expand
Gunpowder weapons and military organization helped rulers build large land empires. Expansion brought new peoples and territories under imperial control.
The big picture
What to know
Gunpowder weapons and military organization helped rulers build large land empires. Expansion brought new peoples and territories under imperial control.
The Safavid state established power in Persia and promoted Shi'a Islam.
Mughal rulers built a large empire across much of South Asia.
Check your understanding
01 / Multiple choice · 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question. Feedback appears below it.
Question 01
Which example fits this clue? Ottoman rulers used firearms and organized armies to expand their territory.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
Question 02
Which example fits this clue? The Safavid state established power in Persia and promoted Shi'a Islam.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
Question 03
Which example fits this clue? Mughal rulers built a large empire across much of South Asia.
Select an answer to check your thinking.
02 / Write with evidence
Write a short response
What helped land-based empires expand?
- Make a claim that answers the question.
- Use two examples from the review.
- Explain how the examples support your claim.
See a model response
Gunpowder weapons and military organization helped rulers build large land empires. Ottoman rulers used firearms and organized armies to expand their territory. The Safavid state established power in Persia and promoted Shi'a Islam.
Worksheets, notes & slides
No class materials have been shared for this topic yet.
Resources & review
Quick study check
Before opening another resource, explain these examples from memory. Reveal each explanation to check yourself.
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman rulers used firearms and organized armies to expand their territory.
Safavid Empire
The Safavid state established power in Persia and promoted Shi'a Islam.
Mughal Empire
Mughal rulers built a large empire across much of South Asia.
Read / watchOER Project · Unit 3 ↗
Find this numbered lesson in the unit’s articles, videos, and activities.
Video / reviewKhan Academy · World History AP ↗A second explanation when you need to see a topic another way.
Official practiceAP Classroom ↗AP Daily videos and teacher-assigned topic questions. Sign in with your school AP account.
OER Project and Khan Academy may organize some lessons differently. Use the topic number on this page to match the material you need.