Military Factors Leading to the Rise of Empires
Ottoman Empire, Built powerful military with cannons and armed infantry. Elite fighting force of janissaries was created from their slave tax. Conquered Constantinople and changed name to Istanbul. Powerful sultans continued to expand borders.
Mughal India,
Babur, a great military leader, began empire by conquering most of northern India. Had a well-trained army with artillery and muskets. Aurangzeb conquered southern India.
Ming and Qing Dynasties,
Zhu Yuanzhang led a rebel army to take power and establish the Ming dynasty. Rebuilt the Great Wall. Later, the Manchus from the north used gunpowder weapons to take power and establish the Qing dynasty.
Tokugawa Japan,
Tokugawa Ieyasu used muskets and field artillery to take power and become shogun. Ended the Age of Warring States and unified Japan.
Russian Empire,
Ivan the Great (Ivan III) conquered Russia, threw out the Mongols, and began to call himself czar. He saw Russia as the “Third Rome.” The Romanovs expanded Russia all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Cultural Factors Leading to the Rise of Empires
Ottoman Empire
1453–1923 Originated from a Turkish Muslim tribal group. Occupied holy cities and claimed leadership of Muslim world. Ottomans allowed diverse culture with influences from many different groups.
Mughal India,
Muslim group combined cultural traditions from India, Persia, and Arab worlds. Akbar promoted learning, poetry, painting, and architecture. Developed Hindi language.
Ming and Qing Dynasties,
Manchus of the Qing dynasty upheld traditional Chinese traditions and ruled according to Confucian principles. Admiral Zheng He’s voyages increased flow of tribute to China.
Tokugawa Japan,
Chinese writing system, art, and literature influenced Japan during this period. Buddhism from China adopted. Kabuki theater and haiku poetry developed.
Russian Empire,
1462–1917 Russians were Orthodox Christians. But under Peter the Great, officials were required to dress in Western clothes and shave off their beards. Catherine the Great supported the arts and sciences.
Political Factors Leading to the Rise of Empires
Ottoman Empire,A series of strong sultans ruled a large, centralized government. Bureaucracy was based on a system of meritocracy. Strong legal code based on Islamic law. Governors managed conquered territories.
Mughal India, Ming dynasty had merit-based civil service, but Zhu Yuanzhang ruled as a despot. Yong Le built new capital at Beijing. Later Qing dynasty had two outstanding emperors: Kangxi and Qianlog.
Ming and Qing Dynasties,
Ming dynasty had merit-based civil service, but Zhu Yuanzhang ruled as a despot. Yong Le built new capital at Beijing. Later Qing dynasty had two outstanding emperors: Kangxi and Qianlog.
Tokugawa Japan,
Tokugawa replaced the traditional feudal system with a strong, centralized government. Secret police and strict rules controlled the daimyo and samurais.
Russian Empire
Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV) strengthened central government. He was a cruel tyrant who seized lands from the boyars and created a secret police force. The Romanovs modernized Russia’s civil service, but were still absolute rulers.
Economic Factors Leading to the Rise of Empires
Ottoman Empire Ottomans controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia, which gave them prosperous cities. Had rich agricultural lands. Commoners such as farmers and merchants paid taxes.
Mughal IndiaAbundant farmlands and rivers supported a large population. Extensive trade routes to India led to wealth and the spread of Indo-Muslim culture.
Ming and Qing Dynasties Agriculture prospered when new crops were brought from the Americas. Trade and commerce increased, but trade was limited. Qing China was richest empire in the world.
Tokugawa Japan
At first, Tokugawa rulers were open to the rest of the world, but then they restricted trade and access and expelled Christian missionaries.
Russian Empire
Peter the Great opened Russia to Europe. He built schools, factories, and roads. But Russia’s old social system of serfdom dragged the economy down.
Social Factors Leading to the Rise of Empires
Ottoman Empire Divided society into the rulers and the ruled. Generally tolerant of different religions, but persecuted Shi’a Muslims who they saw as a threat. Christian slaves were converted to Islam and served in government.
Mughal IndiaAt first the empire was tolerant of different religions, but under Aurangzeb, Hindus were taxed and removed from government.
Ming and Qing Dynasties Under the Ming, people believed other cultures were inferior and decided to isolate China. Manchu rulers (Qing dynasty) respected Chinese traditions and Confucian principles.
Tokugawa JapanA rigid social structure of four classes was created: warriors, famers, artisans, and merchants. This social system reflected Confucian values of order and respect for authority.
Russian Empire By the end of the empire, Russia’s peasants, or serfs, had no rights and lived in terrible poverty. Their revolts were brutally suppressed.