Consolidation and Legitimation of Power (1450-1750)

Introduction

• Focus on how rulers legitimized and consolidated power.
• Key message: "I'm in charge and here's how you know."

Europe

Divine Right of Kings

• England
  • King James I: Advocated divine right, kings are appointed by God.
  • Challenges to the king = challenges to God.
  • Often led to kings seeing themselves as above the law.
• Establishment of Justices of the Peace
  • Under Tudor dynasty: Justices sent to counties to settle disputes and enforce monarch's will.
• English Bill of Rights (1689)
  • Parliament guaranteed civil liberties, checking monarch's power.

Absolutism in France

• Henry IV: Advocated divine right similar to England.
• Louis XIII
  • Created Intendants: Officials executing king’s will and collecting taxes.
• Louis XIV
  • Consolidated power to dictatorship level.
  • Built Palace of Versailles, requiring nobles to live there, reducing their power.

Ottoman Empire

• Devshirme System: Enslavement and training from tribute states.
  • Non-Muslim boys educated and trained, ensuring loyalty.
• Janissaries: Elite military group from enslaved boys.

East and Southeast Asia

Ming Dynasty in China

• Overthrew Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.
• Reinstituted civil service exam, enhanced bureaucracy.

Japan

• Feudal System:
  • Daimyo (landowners) and Samurai (warriors).
  • Fragmented Japan due to daimyo conflicts.
• Tokugawa Shogunate
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu centralized power.
  • Daimyo required to have residences in Tokyo.

India

• Mughal Empire under Akbar
  • Efficient administration and tax collection through zamindars.

Methods of Legitimization

Religion

• Africa: Askia the Great of Songhai adopted Islam for cultural unity.

Art and Architecture

• India: Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal.
• Ottomans: Built Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
• France: Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles as a symbol of power.

Conclusion

• Rulers used religion, art, and architecture to influence people's imagination and sense of authority.
• Encouragement to engage with educational content.