A Safavid Empire SPICE-T Chart for AP World History

Are you studying for a test in your AP World History class? Are you reviewing for the actual AP World History Test? Either way, you need this basic information about the Safavid Empire. It is organized in a SPICE-T Chart to make it easy to categorize the information in your brain. Read the Google Slides to get an overview of the Safavid Empire. Want more detailed information about the Safavid Empire? You need to check out our Safavid Empire Google Slides!

Social

1. Safavid society was characterized by a strict adherence to Twelver Shia Islam, with religious leaders (Ulema) holding significant influence.

2. They used Shariah law in their legal system.

3. The Safavids promoted Persian culture and language, fostering a distinct Persian identity.

4. The empire had a hierarchical social structure with a powerful Shah at the top.

5. It was a patriarchal society with harems and veiling of women.

   
   

Political

1. The Safavid Empire was an absolute monarchy, with the Shah holding central authority.

2. The state’s legitimacy was closely tied to its promotion of Twelver Shia Islam.

3. The empire was known for its centralized bureaucracy and military organization.

4. The Safavid Empire was founded by Ismail.

5. They had a similar system for turning conquered people into soldiers as the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire.

   
   

Interactions with the Environment

1. The Safavids relied on the exploitation of agricultural lands, particularly through the qanat irrigation system.

2. Their control over key trade routes facilitated economic prosperity.

3. Architectural achievements like Isfahan’s Naghsh-e Jahan Square showcased their interaction with the environment.

4. Isfahan was a major city.

   
   

Culture

1. Safavid culture was a fusion of Persian and Islamic elements, with a rich tradition of poetry, art, and architecture.

2. Twelver Shia Islam played a central role in Safavid culture, with the veneration of Imams and religious rituals. Only descendants of Muhammad could be the leader. The different forms of Islam led to conflicts with the Sunni Muslims of the Ottoman Empire.

3. Miniature painting and Persian carpets were notable cultural contributions.

4. They made beautiful Persian rugs.

5. The culture of the Safavid Empire was Persian. It was much less diverse than the Ottoman Empire.

   
   

Economics

1. The Safavid Empire benefited from trade along the Silk Road, with Isfahan as a major trade center.

2. Agriculture, including crops like cotton and silk, was a key component of the economy.

3. The empire’s wealth came from the production and export of goods, including carpets and textiles.

4. They used the Zamindar system for tax collection. The Shah chose a person to collect taxes. It was perfect but had less corruption than the tax-farming system.

5. Akbar abolished the jizya tax, but it was reinstated under Shah Abbas I.

   
   

Technology

1. Safavid architecture, exemplified by structures like the Imam Mosque in Isfahan, showcased advanced engineering and design.

2. The use of qanat systems for irrigation was a significant technological development.

3. Safavid poets and scholars made contributions to Persian literature and philosophy.

4. They used gunpowder technology, such as guns and cannons, to take over territory.

   
   

People the Know

1. Ismail

2. Shah Abbas I

   
   

Dates to Know

1. 1501 – 1722: Safavid Empire

2. 1514: Battle of Chaldiran

   
   

The Safavid Empire

Comparison in Land-Based Empires

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

AP World History

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