Legitimacy and Power in Empires: A Historical Overview

Taj Mahal

Mausoleum symbolizing Mughal architecture and power.

Palace of Versailles

French royal residence demonstrating absolute monarchy.

Divine Right

Ruler's authority derived from God in Europe.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese belief in divine approval for rulers.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires using gunpowder for military dominance.

Tax Farming

Individuals pay to collect taxes from areas.

Zamindars

Mughal landowners collecting taxes from peasants.

Devshirme System

Ottoman practice of recruiting Christian boys as soldiers.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman infantry formed from the devshirme system.

Ghulam

Safavid slave soldiers serving the empire.

Samurai

Japanese warriors serving feudal lords (daimyo).

Protestant Reformation

Movement challenging Catholic Church practices and authority.

Indulgences

Payments to the Church for forgiveness of sins.

Martin Luther

Initiated Protestant Reformation with 95 Theses.

Lutheranism

First Protestant sect founded by Martin Luther.

Anglicanism

Church of England established by Henry VIII.

Daimyo

Feudal lords in Japan, similar to European lords.

Joint Stock Companies

Investment groups minimizing risk in exploration.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of goods between Americas and Europe.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Trade of enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Mercantilism

Economic policy favoring exports over imports.

Casta System

Social hierarchy based on race in Latin America.

Mita System

Inca labor tax system co-opted by Spain.