Unit 3 - Land Based Empires Flashcards
Land Based Empires empires
A land-based empire is an empire that prioritizes control and administration of territory over control of seafaring trade routes.
Inca Empire
The Incan Empire, also known as the Inca Empire, was a South American land based empire that was located in the Andes Mountains. It was the largest empire in the pre-Columbian Americas and was centered in what is now Peru. The Incan Empire was founded in the early 13th century and reached its height of power in the 15th century, when it controlled a large territory that included much of the western Andes and parts of present-day Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. The Incan Empire was known for its advanced system of government, which included a well-organized bureaucracy and a strong centralized administration. It was also known for its impressive architectural achievements, such as the construction of roads, aqueducts, and terraced agriculture. The Incan Empire was conquered by the Spanish in the early 16th century, and it was eventually absorbed into the Spanish Empire.
Mexica
The Mexica were a Native American civilization that existed from the 14th to the 16th centuries in central Mexico. They established the Aztec Empire, a vast empire that ruled over much of central and southern Mexico.
Aztec Empire
The Aztec Empire, spanning from approximately 1200 to 1521, emerged as a dominant land based force in Mesoamerica, with its heartland located in present-day Mexico. Founded by the Mexica people, the empire thrived through a combination of military conquest, tribute collection, and religious fervor. The Aztecs constructed a sophisticated society characterized by elaborate city-states, intricate social hierarchies, and a complex system of tribute and trade. At the height of its power, the empire controlled a vast territory, including present-day Mexico City, and exerted influence over neighboring regions. However, the arrival of Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes in the early 16th century marked the beginning of the empire’s downfall. Despite fierce resistance, including the famous siege of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec Empire ultimately fell to Spanish forces in 1521, leading to the colonization of Mesoamerica by European powers and the end of Aztec dominance in the region.
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate, established in 1603 after Tokugawa Ieyasu’s victory in the Battle of Sekigahara, ushered in a period of centralized rule in Japan. The shoguns implemented policies to consolidate political authority, enforce social order, and stimulate economic stability. They imposed strict class hierarchies and initiated a policy of isolationism, known as sakoku, which restricted foreign trade and contact. This era, lasting over two centuries, was marked by relative peace and stability, fostering economic growth and urban development, particularly in thriving centers like Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Following the Meiji Restoration, which ended feudal rule in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate was deposed in 1868.
The Edo Period
The Edo period, also known as the Tokugawa period, spanned from 1603 to 1868 in Japan. It was characterized by the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Edo period witnessed significant cultural developments, including the emergence of kabuki theater, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, haiku poetry, and the tea ceremony. Socially, rapid urbanization occurred, with cities like Edo and Osaka becoming vibrant hubs of commerce and culture. The merchant class experienced growth in wealth and influence, despite their lower status in the social hierarchy, while education became more widespread, leading to increased literacy rates and the popularization of literature among the common people.
Russia at the Time
The Russian Empire lasted from 1721 until the 1917 Russian Revolution. It was the world’s largest country by land area, covering more than one-sixth of the planet’s land surface, and the third most populous. The Romanov dynasty ruled the Russian Empire, which was distinguished by a strong government and a rigid hierarchy. The tsar wielded absolute power in this autocracy. The Russian Empire was a multiethnic state with over 100 ethnic groups living within its borders. It was a major player in world affairs and one of the great powers of the nineteenth century. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, which resulted in the establishment of the Soviet Union, the Russian Empire was dissolved.
