Empires face and respond to Challenges in 1700s
The world in was marked by powerful Eurasian states and empires, coastal African Kingdoms, and growing maritime empires during the late 1700s. The interaction of these states often disrupted trade networks and influenced the development of new ones.
The Mughal Empire
The MUGHALS from India ruled an empire for about 200 years from 1526-1857. The name might remind you of MONGULS....and they are KIND OF the same thing. As a matter of fact, the world Mughal is Persian for Mongol. They were a group of Muslims who came to India and ruled. Today, a large group of people from India are also Muslim due to the influence of the Mughal Empire.
The head of the Mughals was BABUR. He believed he was a descendant of Genghis Khan which is why he takes the name Mughals. Babur was a military genius, poet, and author. As you can see below, Babur and his descendents Akbar and Aurangzeb were able to grow their Empire from the Himalayas Mountains to the Deccan Plateau.
AKBAR, Babur's grandson, really is responsible for enlarging the Empire the most. He created a very strong central government as well and he was referred to as AKBAR THE GREAT. Akbar was a very tolerant leader. Hindu subject as well as Muslims liked him. He opened government jobs to Hindus of all castes and treated Hindu princes as his partners in ruling the vast empire. Akbar ENDED the TAX ON NON-MUSLIMS and he married a Hindu princess. Akbar respected India's diversity.
Akbar did more than allow religious diversity. He also paid government officials, he modernized the army, encouraged international trade, standardized weights and measures, and introduced land reforms.
Like all empires, building stunning infrastructures of buildings is always an accomplishment. The Mughal Empire is no different. Akbar's grandson, SHA JARAN who's wife passed away at 39 had a stunning tomb built for her called the Taj Mahal. It has spectacular white domes and graceful minarets mirrored in clear blue reflecting pools. Verses of the Quran adorn its walls. Pleasant gardens surround the entire structure. A picture of the Taj Mahal is pictured below. The link also allows you take a virtual tour.
Sha Jaran's son AURANGZEB rejected Akbar's tolerant policies. He resumed persecution of the Hindus. Economic hardships increased under heavy taxes and discontent sparked revolts. European traders were able to get a foothold in India and overthrow the Mughal Empire.
The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire at its height expanded three continents. It is largest empire in the Middle East and Europe to date. You can see on the map below that scope of the empire. Please take time to view these Google Slides on the Ottoman Empire and its effect on permanently changing global trade routes.
The Ottoman Empire changes World Trade routes
As the Ottoman Empire expanded into eastern Europe and into the eastern Mediterranean, European trade routes were disrupted. Why? The Ottomans controlled just about the entire Mediterranean Sea so it could not be used for transporting goods! So Portuguese sailors set out over the Atlantic Ocean to find new trade routes. Other European nations quickly followed.
The Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan
In 1603 The Tokugawa shogunate came to power, bringing peace and stability to Japan for nearly 300 years. The Tokugawa Shogunate restored Japanese feudalism. The Tokugawa shoguns created a centralized feudal government. They halted the fighting among the powerful daimyo by at times forcing them to live at the capital of Edo (now Tokyo) instead of at their country estates. WHen the daimyo did leave the capital, their families were forced to stay under the shogun's careful watch. The diagram below depicts the class system that existed.
This slideshow below will help you review how the Tokugawa Shogunate restored peace, brought stability, and centralized Japan.