Empires: Administration [AP World History Review] Unit 3, Topic 2

Summary

This video discusses how rulers from 1450 to 1750 legitimized and consolidated their power. The presenter explores various methods used in Europe, the Ottoman Empire, East Asia, and India. Examples include the Divine Right of Kings in Europe, the Janissary system in the Ottoman Empire, and architectural achievements like France's Palace of Versailles and India's Taj Mahal. Through religion, art, and architecture, rulers solidified their authority. The video emphasizes how these rulers communicated their dominance and the means by which they maintained control over their empires.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Divine Right of Kings was a doctrine used in Europe, particularly in England under King James I, to legitimize royal power by claiming that kings ruled by divine mandate.
• 🛡 In England, justices of the peace were established to enforce the monarch's will and settle legal disputes, further consolidating power.
• 📜 The English Bill of Rights in 1689 was a check on the monarch's power, guaranteeing civil liberties such as the freedom to petition the king.
• 👑 Absolutism in France centralized power in the king, with Louis XIV taking it to the extreme by combining legislative and judicial powers and building the Palace of Versailles.
• 🧳 The Ottoman Empire's devshirme system involved taking non-Muslim slaves, educating them, and turning them into loyal administrators and soldiers, like the elite Janissaries.
• 📚 The Ming Dynasty in China reestablished the civil service examination to reinforce bureaucracy and erase remnants of Mongol rule.
• ⚔️ In Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate under Tokugawa Ieyasu unified the country, reduced the power of local daimyo, and required them to maintain residences in the capital.
• 🏰 Akbar, a Mughal ruler in India, extended his empire and established an efficient tax collection system with zamindars to enforce his rule.
• 🕌 Religion, art, and architecture were used to legitimize power, influencing people's emotions and imaginations to create a sense of awe and authority.
• 👑 Rulers across different empires used grand architectural projects, religious conversions, and artistic patronage to assert their power and connect with their subjects on a deeper level.

Q & A

How did European rulers legitimize their power during the period from 1450 to 1750?

European rulers legitimized their power using several methods, including the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings, where rulers like King James I of England claimed that their authority was granted by God. This made challenging the king akin to challenging divine will. Additionally, rulers consolidated power through administrative systems like England's justices of the peace and France’s intendants.

What was the Divine Right of Kings, and how did it help rulers consolidate power?

The Divine Right of Kings was the belief that monarchs were chosen by God to rule, making them accountable only to divine authority. This doctrine helped rulers consolidate power by discouraging opposition, as challenging the king would be seen as opposing God's will.

How did the establishment of justices of the peace in England contribute to the consolidation of power?

Justices of the peace were appointed by the Tudor dynasty to represent the monarchy in various counties. They settled disputes and enforced royal decrees, ensuring that the monarch's authority reached throughout the kingdom, even in areas where the monarch was not physically present.

What was absolutism, and how did it manifest in France during this period?

Absolutism was a system where the monarch held absolute power over the state. In France, absolutism reached its peak under Louis XIV, who centralized power by controlling both legislative and judicial functions, as well as forcing nobles to live at his palace in Versailles, limiting their ability to challenge his authority.

How did the Ottoman Empire use the devshirme system to consolidate power?

The devshirme system involved taking Christian boys from the Balkan and southern European regions, converting them to Islam, and training them as soldiers or administrators. This created a loyal class of elite warriors, such as the Janissaries, and capable administrators, all dedicated to serving the Sultan.

What role did the Janissaries play in the Ottoman Empire's power structure?

The Janissaries were an elite military corps composed of boys taken through the devshirme system. They received rigorous training and education, becoming fiercely loyal soldiers who played a key role in securing the Sultan's military power and maintaining the empire's stability.

How did the Ming Dynasty in China work to erase Mongolian influence after overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty?

The Ming Dynasty sought to remove Mongolian influence by reintroducing the civil service examination system, which ensured that government officials were chosen based on Confucian principles. They also strengthened the bureaucracy to restore traditional Chinese governance and culture.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate consolidate power in Japan?

The Tokugawa Shogunate, led by Tokugawa Ieyasu, consolidated power by weakening the influence of the daimyo, the land-owning aristocrats, and requiring them to maintain a second residence in the capital, Edo (now Tokyo). This allowed the shogun to keep close watch over the daimyo and prevent rebellion.

What role did religion play in legitimizing power in the Songhai Empire under Askia the Great?

Askia the Great legitimized his rule by declaring Islam the official religion of the Songhai Empire. This created a sense of unity and cultural continuity, as well as aligning the empire with the broader Islamic world, further strengthening his authority.

How did rulers use art and architecture to legitimize their power during this period?

Rulers used grand architectural projects and artistic commissions to legitimize their rule. For example, Shah Jahan of India commissioned the Taj Mahal, Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles, and the Ottoman rulers constructed mosques like the Suleymaniye Mosque. These structures impressed the populace and reinforced the rulers' authority and divine right to rule.