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Empires of Early Modernity
1. How did the Russian Empire change the lives of its conquered peoples and the land itself?
2. What were some of the distinct features of the empire established by the Qing Dynasty?
3. What were some of the distinct features of the Mughal Empire?
4. What was the significance of the Ottoman Empire in the early modern world?
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Empires of Early Modernity
1. How did the Russian Empire change the lives of its conquered peoples and the land itself?
The Russian Empire, which expanded significantly from the 16th to the 19th century, had profound effects on the peoples and lands it conquered. As Russia expanded its borders through conquest, it incorporated numerous diverse ethnic and cultural groups, including Ukrainians, Kazakhs, and peoples from the Caucasus and Siberia. One of the most significant changes was the imposition of Russian language, culture, and Orthodox Christianity, often through policies of forced assimilation and resettlement. Indigenous religions, languages, and cultures were suppressed, and many were incorporated into the Russian feudal system.
The land itself was transformed through the establishment of serfdom in many of the newly acquired territories, which tied peasants to the land and underpinned the Russian economy. The state’s expansion also led to the exploitation of natural resources such as timber, fur, and minerals. Although some regions were able to maintain elements of their traditional lifestyles, the overall impact of the Russian Empire was one of centralized control, economic exploitation, and cultural homogenization.
2. What were some of the distinct features of the empire established by the Qing Dynasty?
The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) established an empire that lasted for nearly three centuries, and several distinct features defined it. One of the most notable aspects was the inclusion of non-Han Chinese territories, which expanded the empire to include regions such as Tibet, Mongolia, and Xinjiang. The Qing rulers were Manchu, a non-Han ethnic group, and they worked to establish their legitimacy by adopting many Chinese traditions, including Confucian governance, but also maintained distinct Manchu cultural practices.
The Qing Dynasty implemented a system of rule that balanced traditional Chinese imperial governance with their own practices, including the use of the banner system, which was essential for organizing military and social structures. The Qing also implemented strict control over the population through a system of censuses, and they made efforts to maintain peace in the…