Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)
IntermediateFrom 1450 to 1750, powerful land-based empires dominated Eurasia. The Ottoman Empire controlled southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, using gunpowder weapons and the devshirme system. The Safavid Empire established Shia Islam as the state religion of Persia.
The Mughal Empire unified much of South Asia under rulers who balanced Hindu and Muslim populations. The Ming dynasty restored Chinese rule after Mongol domination, building the Forbidden City and launching Zheng He voyages before turning inward. The Qing dynasty, founded by Manchu conquerors, expanded China to its largest territorial extent.
The Russian Empire expanded eastward across Siberia. These empires consolidated power through military innovation, bureaucratic administration, religious legitimacy, and monumental architecture.
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- •Compare methods of imperial administration across land-based empires
- •Analyze how rulers legitimized and consolidated power
- •Evaluate the role of religion in imperial governance
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