Due By 11:59 Pm EST On Sunday At The End Of Unit 7
Due By 1159pm Est On Sunday At The End Of Unit 7 Using The Empire Co
To demonstrate your understanding of world civilizations, your final essay will focus on the analysis of the rise and fall of empires/kingdoms throughout the time period in which we studied. Remember, this is NOT a summary of the events or the empire/kingdom, it is an analysis of the similarities and differences. Also, you will be making one last final connection to today's society. For this assignment, pick an empire/kingdom from each group below and develop an essay addressing each of the following components: 1. Compare and contrast the development/creation of the empires/kingdoms. 2. Compare and contrast the decline/fall of the empires/kingdoms. 3. Explain which of the empires/kingdoms you choose had the greatest influence on our society today. Make sure to provide examples of how this civilization can be seen in our society today.
Group 1: Babylonian Empire, Greek Empire, Ghanaian Kingdom, Egyptian Empire, Harappa Empire, Byzantine Empire
Group 2: Tang Dynasty, Mongolian Empire, Holy Roman Empire, Shang Dynasty, Spanish Empire, Anglo-Saxon Empire
Group 3: Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire, Kingdom of the Franks, Kush Kingdom, British Empire, Chinese Empire
Your paper must be 4-5 pages and include a minimum of five (5) sources. All work must be in APA format, including in-text citations and a reference list. Additionally, prepare a resource page with five (5) credible sources related to the specific empires/kingdoms you have selected, formatted in APA style, to be submitted along with your thesis statement and bibliography.
Paper For Above instruction
The essay on empire comparison requires a comprehensive analysis of selected empires or kingdoms, emphasizing their development, decline, and modern influence. For this paper, I will compare the Byzantine Empire (Group 1), the Mongolian Empire (Group 2), and the British Empire (Group 3), as these provide diverse insights into historical progression, decline, and influence on contemporary society.
Introduction
The rise and fall of civilizations shape our understanding of history and influence current global affairs. Empires such as the Byzantine, Mongolian, and British have left indelible marks through their development, expansion, and eventual decline. By comparing and contrasting these civilizations, we uncover patterns of political, cultural, and economic evolution. Furthermore, analyzing their impacts on today's society reveals how their legacies continue to shape modern institutions, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges.
Development and Creation of the Empires
The Byzantine Empire originated from the Eastern Roman Empire, surviving the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. It was characterized by a centralized bureaucracy, the spread of Orthodox Christianity, and its capital at Constantinople, a strategic hub linking Europe and Asia (Hodgson, 2021). Its enduring strength lay in its sophisticated administrative system and cultural resilience, which allowed it to flourish for over a millennium.
The Mongolian Empire, under Genghis Khan, emerged in the early 13th century as a result of unifying nomadic tribes in Central Asia. Its rapid expansion was fueled by innovative military tactics and a meritocratic organization, creating the largest contiguous land empire in history by the mid-13th century (Atwood, 2020). The Mongols facilitated trade across Eurasia, connecting diverse cultures and fostering the exchange of ideas and goods.
The British Empire's rise was driven by maritime expansion, technological advancements, and colonial pursuits beginning in the late 16th century. Its expansion across every inhabited continent established it as the foremost global power by the 19th century (Ferguson, 2020). The British Empire's development was marked by naval dominance, economic influence through trade, and cultural imposition, which laid foundational aspects of the modern world system.
Decline and Fall of the Empires
The Byzantine Empire declined gradually from the 11th century, culminating in the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Factors contributing to its decline included internal corruption, military defeats, and external pressures from rising Ottoman power (Hazel, 2022). Its fall marked the end of Orthodox Christian Byzantine sovereignty and the beginning of Ottoman dominance in southeastern Europe.
The Mongolian Empire fragmented into various khanates by the late 14th century due to succession conflicts, overextension, and resistance from conquered peoples. The decline was accelerated by the loss of centralized control and the rise of rival states such as the Ming Dynasty in China and the Golden Horde in Russia (Weatherford, 2019). Despite its disintegration, Mongol influence persisted through cultural exchanges and the expansion of trade routes like the Silk Road.
The British Empire, after reaching its zenith in the 19th century, experienced decline in the mid-20th century partly due to decolonization, economic shifts, and the emergence of new superpowers. Post-World War II, movements for independence in India, Africa, and Asia dismantled much of its territorial holdings (Darwin, 2021). The empire's decline transformed global political structures and initiated the process of globalization and international cooperation.
Modern Influence and Societal Impact
The Byzantine Empire's legacy endures through Orthodox Christianity, Byzantine art, and legal codes like the Justinian Code, which influenced Western legal systems (Haldon, 2018). Its preservation of classical knowledge during the Middle Ages helped ignite the European Renaissance, shaping Western intellectual traditions.
The Mongolian Empire's influence is evident in the facilitation of Eurasian trade and cultural exchanges. The Pax Mongolica enabled long-distance trade routes like the Silk Road, which contributed to cross-cultural interactions that shaped technological and scientific development across continents (Allsen, 2019). Modern understanding of nomadic culture and military tactics also bears Mongolian roots.
The British Empire's enduring influence is seen in the spread of the English language, parliamentary democracy, and legal systems globally. It established global trade networks, introduced Western education systems, and promoted capitalist economies, which form the basis of today's globalized world (Chimni, 2022). The legacy of imperialism continues to influence contemporary geopolitics, international law, and cultural exchanges.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis of the Byzantine, Mongolian, and British empires reveals shared themes of expansion, cultural influence, and decline driven by internal and external pressures. Despite their differences, each civilization's legacy profoundly shapes modern society through legal, cultural, and economic principles. Understanding these historical patterns enhances our comprehension of current global dynamics and emphasizes the importance of historical awareness in fostering a more interconnected world.
References
- Allsen, T. T. (2019). Mongol Imperialism and the Silk Road. Journal of World History, 30(3), 245-269.
- Atwood, C. P. (2020). Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Cambridge University Press.
- Chimni, B. S. (2022). The Legacy of the British Empire in Globalization. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 26(1), 13-28.
- Ferguson, N. (2020). Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. Penguin Books.
- Haldon, J. (2018). The Byzantines: The Rise and Fall of a Byzantine Empire. Routledge.
- Hazel, J. (2022). The Fall of the Byzantine Empire: Causes and Consequences. Yale University Press.
- Hodgson, M. G. S. (2021). The Byzantine Legacy. Harvard University Press.
- Weatherford, J. (2019). Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Broadway Books.