Empires: Belief Systems
Teacher Resources
Driving Question: What changes and continuities took place in Afro-Eurasian belief systems from c. 1450 to 1750 CE?
Across the world, numerous rulers championed a shared belief system to strengthen cohesion within their empires. Empires of the early-modern era witnessed the fracturing of several world religions as well as the shaping of some new ones. In this unit, you will analyze the development of different belief systems, as well as the impacts these systems had across various Afro-Eurasian empires from c. 1450 to 1750 CE.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain continuity and change within various belief systems, such as Protestantism, Catholicism, Sikhism, and Sunni and Shi’a Islam, during the period from 1450 to 1750.
- Assess how belief systems led to rivalries and conflicts between empires from 1450 to 1750.
- Use the historical thinking skill of contextualization to evaluate the transformation of belief systems in this era and how these systems were used by empires to maintain control.
- Use the historical reasoning process of continuity and change over time to assess how trade networks and land-based empires evolved from c. 1450 to 1750 CE.
- Analyze primary sources to evaluate the transformation of belief systems from c. 1450 to 1750 CE.
Vocab Terms:
- devshirme
- divine
- imam
- Reformation
- Shia
- Sikhism
- Sunni
Opener: Empires: Belief Systems
Feeling insecure about reading and responding to prompts? We’ve got you covered. The Question Parsing Tool will help you succeed!
Contextualization: Belief Systems
Contextualization will provide clues for you in figuring out why belief systems changed from 1450-1750.
Transformations in Eurasian Belief Systems, 1450–1750
The change in belief systems across the world from 1450-1750 completely changed the world. But why? And how did things change?
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What are some of the short and long-term changes that the author provides to explain this period of religious transformation?
- How did the Sunni-Shi’a split in Islam create a crisis for the Ottoman Empire?
- Who was Martin Luther and why was he a significant figure in religious change in this period?
- Why did the Protestant Reformation spread so quickly?
- What does the author list as important characteristics of Sikhism?
After you read
Respond to the following questions:
- To what extent does this article explain continuity and change within the various belief systems during the period from 1450 to 1750?
- This article lists three belief systems that emerged as politically powerful forces during this period (Shi’a Islam, Protestant Christianity, and Sikhism). Did these three belief systems do more to support or to destabilize empires and states? Provide three pieces of evidence to support your claim.
Themes Notebook
Earlier, you have used the Themes Notebook to predict what you think might happen based on your studies. It’s time to see if you were right!
The Reformation
The work of one person can change everything. This was the case when a local monk fighting corruption in the Catholic Church set in motion a religious conflict that continues to influence our world today.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Before you watch the video, it’s a good idea to open and skim the video transcript. And always read the questions below so you know what to look and listen for as you watch!
While you watch
- What sixteenth-century practices of the Catholic Church and its pope led people to accuse them of corruption?
- What criticisms of the Catholic Church did Martin Luther make in his 95 Theses?
- Why was Protestantism appealing to women and what contributions did some women make to the movement?
- How did the Reformation lead to the deaths of millions of people?
- Who were the Jesuits and why was this order created?
- What was ironic about the North American colonists fleeing Europe due to religious persecution?
After you watch
- In what ways is the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation still relevant today?
Key Ideas
CCOT: Networks of Exchange to Land-Based Empires
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Is this true? You will find out as you analyze continuity and change over time from Unit 2 to Unit 3!
Source Collection: Transformation of Beliefs
What leads people to change their beliefs over time? Understanding the answer to this question may unlock other mysteries over how society changes over time. Use the Quick-Sourcing Tool to help you analyze these primary source excerpts.
Closer: Empires: Belief Systems
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a teacher? Here is your chance! You will score other students’ SAQ responses!