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Lesson #7: Power
Empires
The Hellenistic World
The Hellenistic world began under the leadership of Alexander the Great, who conquered
an empire stretching from the Greek mainland all the way to the Indus River Valley. Hellenistic
society was a blending of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and many other cultures that gave rise to
advancements in math, science, art, and literature. The influence of power in this case is one of
culture. Alexander died young, and his empire was divided between his strongest generals. Yet,
the cultural and intellectual achievements live on in both the Roman Empire and Byzantine
Empire, as well as cultures spread from the Mediterranean to the Indus River Valley.
Hellenistic World
The Roman Empire
The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BCE. The government was run by elected officials
called Senators, who were chosen from the upper class called Patricians. The lower class,
Plebeians, made up the majority of the population and were generally farmers, artisans, and
merchants.
By 270 BCE, Rome controlled all of Italy. They also soon
conquered Carthage, Macedonia, Greece, and parts of Asia Minor. This expansion led
to civil war and the end of the Republic when Julius Caesar took power in 48 BCE. After
his murder, Caesar's grandnephew, Augustus, became Emperor, turning Rome into an
Empire. Rome extended it power throughout the Mediterranean world for about the next 500
years. Roman territories adopted Roman culture, the Latin language and alphabet, and
supported Rome through taxes and trade.
Roman Empire
The Islamic Empire
Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula in the early 7th century CE. It quickly spread
throughout the Middle East before moving across North Africa, and
into Spain and Sicily. By the 13th century, Islam had spread
across India and Southeast Asia. The reasons for the success of Islam, and the expansion of
its empire, can be attributed to the strength of the Arab armies, the use of
a common language, and fair treatment of conquered peoples.
Arab armies were able to quickly conquer territory through the use of advanced tactics and the
employment
of horse and camel cavalry. Islamic rulers
were very tolerant of conquered peoples, and
welcomed conversion to the Islamic faith. All
Muslims must learn Arabic, so they can read
the Quran, the Islamic holy book. This
common language helped to unite many
different ethnic groups within the Islamic
empire. It also made possible the easy exchange
of knowledge and ideas. This resulted in a
golden age under the Abbassid Dynasty,
which ruled from the mid 8th century until the
mid 13th century. Under the Abbassids, Islamic
culture became a blending of Arab, Persian, Egyptian, and European traditions. Islam did
not lose power in Spain until the end of the 15th century during
the Reconquista. Throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, while the Islamic Empire
of the Abbassid's disappeared, the faith of Islam, and government and society based thereon
remain to this day.
The Byzantine Empire
When the Roman Empire divided under the Emperor in the late 200s CE. The Eastern half
of the empire became known as the Byzantine Empire, as its new capital was built on the site
of the old Greek city Byzantium. When the western half was overrun in the late 5th century CE,
the Byzantine Empire became supreme. The Byzantine Empire preserved much of the GrecoRoman culture, and helped spread it across a vast region. Maintaining control over much of
the old Roman territories, the Byzantine Empire also spread its power and influence into new
areas, such as Russia. Byzantine missionaries spread the Orthodox Christian religion to
Russia, and also adapted the Greek alphabet to provided the Slavic speaking peoples a written
language called Cyrillic, after the monk Cyril who helped create it. Russia and Eastern Europe
also adapted art and literature from the Byzantines, as well as architecture. In return, these
areas became important trading partners for the Byzantines.
Byzantine Empire
The Mongol Empire
The Mongols were a nomadic tribe of herders who lived in Central Asia. Under their
greatest leader, Genghis Khan, they conquered the world's largest empire to date. The
Mongols ruled, at one time or another, Russia and parts of Eastern Europe, China, India, and
parts of the Middle East.
Mongol Empire
Yet, little of Mongol culture remained after they have left a region. Their power was one of
control. During the Pax Mongolia, or Mongol Peace, global trade expanded due to the
political stability provided by Mongol rulers. Silk Road trade flourished as goods and ideas,
such as gunpowder, porcelain, and the technology of papermaking were traded with the
west. The Pax Mongolia was a time of trade and cultural diffusion.
Political Systems
Throughout history, many kinds of political systems developed
in different areas of the world depending on the needs of the
people, and the economic resources available.
In Europe, as well as in parts of China, India, Africa, and South
America, a system known as monarchy developed. Beginning
in ancient Greece, the practice of democracy has continued into
the 21st century. In both Europe and Japan, feudalism had
developed by the 1100s.
By the 1500s, absolutism, and divine right monarchy, had emerged, especially in
Europe. The Enlightenment, a rejection of absolutism, forced political changes in
Europe, North America and Western Asia. The 1850s saw the rapid spread of an anticapitalist economic & political system called communism.
Related Political Systems
monarchy
a political system in which the government is under the control of
one powerful leader.
oligarchy
a political system in which the government is under the control of
a small group
theocracy
a political system in which the government is under the control of
a religious organization or its officials.
a political system in which the government is under the control of
democracy the citizens themselves, or elected representatives chosen from
eligible citizens.
Early Systems
Monarchy and the Divine Right to rule
In most of the oldest river valley civilizations, the strongest military man became king. A
political system in which government is controlled by a king or queen is called
a monarchy. Some kings were also the chief priest in their city. This dual role was not
uncommon, and served to place the king on a much higher social level than his subjects, thus
making it easier for him to govern them
Some kings took the religious affiliation even further, declaring they had the right to rule because
God had chosen them to do so. Claiming to rule by divine right made kings appear very
powerful, and closely connected to the patron god of the city.
Examples of Early Monarchy
Mesopotamia
In Sumer and Babylon, the king was often the monarch and the high
priest. The position of these so-called priest-kings was relatively
unstable. If the god(s) didn't provide for welfare of the citizens, the
people often held the king responsible, and overthrew him.
Egypt
In the land of the Nile, the all-powerful monarch was
called pharaoh. The people thought pharaoh was the physical
incarnation of the god Horus here on earth. As both a man and a god,
pharaoh blended and used both politics and religion to govern his
lands.
Quick Comparison
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Political system
hereditary monarchy
divine monarchy
Religion
polytheistic
Social structure
distinct social classes many social classes
Women's roles
very few rights
polytheistic
could own property
and enter business
Monarchy
Kingship in the Ancient World
China
Chinese emperors justified their actions by claiming the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right of
rule. The Mandate of Heaven was later used to explain the Dynastic Cycle. A dynasty would remain in
power only as long as it was providing good government. When a dynasty went into decline, and
began to abuse its power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong
leader would usually emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle
would then begin again.
Roman Empire
By 270 BCE, Rome controlled all of Italy. They also conquered most of southern Europe and
parts of Asia Minor. This expansion led to a civil war and the end of the Republic when Julius
Caesar took power in 48 BCE. After his murder, Caesar's grandnephew, Augustus,
became Emperor. Under Augustus, a 200 year long peace began, which is called the Pax
Romana. The Pax Romana became a time of cultural and intellectual achievements for Rome,
and saw the return of the monarchy to Rome.
Modern European Monarchy
During the Middle Ages, kings and strong nobles battled with
the Roman Catholic Church for supreme power. Beginning in
England and France, kings began to strengthen their central power, and
restrict the Church.
In Spain, England, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia, absolute
monarchies were established. Each had a different level of
success. Absolute monarchies also existed in Mughal India
and Ottoman Asia Minor & Africa.
Feudalism
European Feudalism
About 500 CE, much of western Europe was left without a strong centralized government due to
the breakdown of the Roman Empire. With little organized resistance, Germanic invaders raided
western European cities and monasteries. Because kings were often too weak to repel the invaders,
many city dwellers moved into the countryside in hopes of greater safety. As a result of the invasions,
and a weak central government, a new social and political system known
as feudalism developed. Strong local lords formed a strict code of behavior and allegiances which
became the foundation of feudal life.
For example, the king controlled huge tracts of land. He would give his support and a large piece of
land, called a fief, to a powerful lord in return for loyalty and military support. This meant the lord was
now a vassal of the king. The Lord would then divide up that land among his supporters, usually less
powerful lords, obtaining vassals of his own. The Lesser Lords would do the same, dividing up the
increasingly smaller land holdings to their knights. Finally, the knights would be left in direct control of
the land and the peasants or townsfolk who lived there. The peasants were expected to grow food, tend
the land, and provide military support to the feudal lords. Under European feudalism, there was very
little opportunity for social advancement.
The Feudal Economy
Feudal lords and knights lived in a manor house on a large estate. The economy that grew up
around the lord's home is known as manorialism. Under this system, everyone had a welldefined place in the social structure.
Many nobles became knights, mounted warriors, who lived according to a code of conduct
called chivalry. They were expected to be honest, brave, and loyal to their word. Most
peasants were serfs, meaning they could not leave their lord's lands without permission. The
serfs farmed and provided manual and military labor for the lord, and in return, he protected
them and gave them a few acres to farm for themselves.
Feudal Japan
Japan's feudal period lasted from the 12th century until the 19th century. During this period,
society was divided in different classes. At the top, was the Emperor, although he
had little real power. Japan was ruled by the Shogun, who was a military leader
with near absolute control. The most successful was the Tokugawa Shogunate,
which ruled Japan from 1603 until 1868.
In Japan, the real political and military power was in the hands of the shogun. Much like in
Europe, the shogun distributed lands to his loyal vassals, who were called daimyo. The daimyo
then granted lands to their warriors, the samurai. Japanese warriors lived according to a code
of conduct known as bushido, which was even stricter than that in Europe. A disgraced samurai
was expected to perform hara-kiri (commit suicide) in order to maintain his family's honor.
Comparison of Feudalism in Europe and Japan
Europe
Japan
Nobility
king, lord, lesser lord
emperor, shogun, daimyo
Warriors
knights
samurai
Code of
conduct
chivalry
bushido

Evolution


Both practices developed in response to the
need for security and stability
everyone had well-defined social roles
helped preserve law and order
Absolutism
The European Model
Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, absolutism, when kings or queens have complete control over
government and the lives of their subjects, was the most widespread political system in use in
Europe and parts of Asia.
In the 1500s, Spain emerged as the first modern European power. Spain's king, Charles V, was
involved in almost constant warfare. His son, Philip II, expanded Spanish influence,
strengthened the Catholic Church, and, believing he ruled by divine right, made his own power
absolute. Under him, Spain became the most powerful state in Europe.
Religious wars between Catholics and Protestants tore France apart in the late
1500s. In the 1640s, under Louis XIV, who assumed absolute power with the help
of Cardinal Richelieu, France became the most powerful state in Europe. Louis,
known as "The Sun King," ruled for 72 years. His claim to power was furthered by
Jacques Bousset, who argued that Louis was god's representative here on earth.
In Russia, Peter the Great used autocratic methods to Westernize Russia, pushing
through social and economic reforms and importing western technology. Later, he
achieved the Russian dream of a warm-water port on the Black Sea by waging war
against the Ottoman Empire.
The Response to Absolutism in England
Beginning in 1603 in England, the Stuart kings James I and Charles I, clashed
with Parliament over royal authority, money, foreign policy, and religion. Civil war broke
out in 1642 when Charles I tried to arrest the radical leaders of the House of Commons. In the
end, a victorious Parliament executed Charles, abolished the monarchy, and created a
republic headed by Oliver Cromwell.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which established the English Bill of Rights, ensured the
supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. Under the Bill of Rights, England became a
constitutional monarchy. The king or queen would now be only a symbol for the country.
The Islamic World
There are also several examples of absolute monarchy in the Muslim
world. In Islamic history, the Ottoman sultan Suleiman is considered to be
the perfect ruler. He is said to have had all of the most important qualities of
an Islamic ruler, especially knowledge of justice. In addition, he is viewed by
many as a law giver, a great soldier, and a magnificent poet.
A contemporary of Suleiman, Akbar the Great, ascended the throne in
1556, at the age of thirteen. The third Mughal emperor of India, Akbar won the support
of Hindus and Muslims. His greatest accomplishment was the institution of an efficient
bureaucracy that helped to run the empire.
Enlightenment
Background
The Enlightenment developed as an extension of the Scientific
Revolution. During the Scientific Revolution,
Europeans discarded traditional beliefs and began using reason to explain
the world around them. While the Scientific Revolution focused on the
physical world, the Enlightenment attempted to explain the purpose
of government, and describe the best form of it. The most influential
Enlightenment thinkers were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Voltaire, Baron de
Montesquieu, and Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Tasks:
1. Define the following terms
a. Hellenistic Culture
b. Patricians/ Plebeians
c. Byzantine Empire
d. Pax Mongolia
e. Silk Road
f. Monarchy
g. Democracy
h. Pharaoh
i. Pax Romana
j. Fief
k. Knights/ Chivalry
l. Shogun
m. Samurai/ Bushido
n. Westernize
2. For each of the following individuals explain who they are and their historical importance
(3 or more sentences for each)
a. Alexander the Great
b. Julius Caesar
c. Augustus
d. Genghis Khan
e. Louis XIV
f. Suleiman the Magnificent
g. Akbar the Great
3. In small paragraph explain the historical importance of the a) Hellenistic World b)
Roman Empire c) Islamic Empire d)Byzantine Empire e) Mongol Empire
4. Compare and Contrast Feudalism in Europe to Feudalism in Japan.
5. Explain Feudalism in your own words (hint: italics)
6. Complete All Documents