Lecture on Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

Key Concepts: Legitimization and Consolidation of Power

• Legitimization: Methods used by rulers to communicate authority to their subjects.
• Consolidation: Methods used by rulers to centralize power from other groups.

Strategies for Maintaining Power

Bureaucracies

• Definition: A collection of government officials ensuring laws are kept throughout the empire.
• Expansion: As empires grew, so did bureaucracies.
• Example: Ottoman Empire's Devshirme System
  • Enslaved Christian boys trained for bureaucracy.
  • Boys learned language, received Islamic education.
  • Elite were further educated and became effective administrators.

Militaries

• Expansion: Empires expanded their military might significantly.
• Elite Military Cadres
  • Example: Janissaries in the Ottoman Empire
    • Comprised of enslaved Christians, forming the core of the standing army.

Legitimization and Consolidation through Culture

Religion

• Europe: Monarchs claimed rule by Divine Right, with opposition equated to opposing God.
• Americas: Aztecs used human sacrifice to show power, believed in revitalizing sun god through blood.

Art and Architecture

• Art: Chinese Qing Dynasty's portraits of Emperor Kangxi reinforced legitimacy.
  • Portrayed according to Confucian values.
  • Aimed to persuade Chinese subjects to accept his rule.
• Architecture
  • Versailles: Built for Louis XIV of France, symbolized power and consolidated power by hosting nobility.
  • Inca Sun Temple: Demonstrated rulers as gods' descendants, legitimized power through grandeur.

Financing Empires

Taxation Systems

• Mughal Empire: Zamindar system used local landowners to collect taxes.
  • Extended imperial authority and reduced suspicion among Hindu population.
• Ottoman Empire: Tax farming system auctioned off tax collection rights.
  • Provided reliable income and allowed tax collectors to enrich themselves.