Global DBQ study guide EMPIRES

Persian Empire – Government/Bureaucracy

Satrapy system where provinces were ruled by satraps who collected taxes, enforced laws, and reported to the king.

Persian Empire – Tolerance

Practiced religious tolerance and allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem to maintain loyalty.

Persian Empire – Military

Strong, organized army used to control a large territory.

Persian Empire – Trade

Royal Roads allowed fast travel, communication, and trade.

Persian Empire – Infrastructure

Extensive road system helped trade and military movement.

Persian Empire – Strengths

Religious tolerance, strong military, effective satrap system, controlled vast land.

Persian Empire – Weaknesses

Disloyal satraps, corrupt leaders, heavy taxes caused revolts.

Persian Empire – Control

Maintained control through tolerance, peaceful leadership, and satrapies.

Persian Empire – Collapse

Long-term: corruption and overexpansion; Short-term: revolts from heavy taxes; Trigger: conquered by Alexander the Great.

Macedonian Empire – Government/Culture

Spread Hellenism by encouraging Greek culture, language, and ideas.

Macedonian Empire – Tolerance

Generally tolerant of other cultures and religions.

Macedonian Empire – Military

Powerful army led by Alexander the Great using the phalanx formation.

Macedonian Empire – Trade

Major trade centers in Alexandria and the Middle East.

Macedonian Empire – Strengths

Strong general, powerful phalanx, military tactics, cultural tolerance.

Macedonian Empire – Weaknesses

No heir, wasted resources through constant conquest, power-hungry leadership.

Macedonian Empire – Control

Used tolerance, strong economy, military power, and trade.

Macedonian Empire – Collapse

Long-term: overexpansion; Short-term: no heir; Trigger: death of Alexander the Great.

Mauryan Empire – Government/Bureaucracy

Highly centralized government with regional officials.

Mauryan Empire – Tolerance

Dharma promoted moral and ethical rule focused on peace.

Mauryan Empire – Law Codes

Ashoka’s Edicts spread laws and moral teachings.

Mauryan Empire – Military

Strong military used mainly during early expansion.

Mauryan Empire – Trade

Prosperous trade throughout India.

Mauryan Empire – Infrastructure

Wells, inns, and irrigation systems along trade routes.

Mauryan Empire – Strengths

Unified India, peaceful rule, strong trade, Ashoka’s Edicts.

Mauryan Empire – Weaknesses

Large size, communication issues, weak successors.

Mauryan Empire – Control

Maintained control through Dharma, regional leaders, and popular support.

Mauryan Empire – Collapse

Long-term: over-centralization; Short-term: weak leadership; Trigger: decline after Ashoka’s death.

Gupta Empire – Government

Decentralized system with local rulers.

Gupta Empire – Tolerance

Religious tolerance allowed freedom of belief.

Gupta Empire – Golden Age

Golden Age of India with advances in math, science, art, and literature.

Gupta Empire – Achievements

Concept of zero, algebra, and Aryabhata’s astronomy work.

Gupta Empire – Strengths

Scientific innovation, cultural growth, stable leadership.

Gupta Empire – Weaknesses

Weak central government and foreign invasions.

Gupta Empire – Control

Maintained control through tolerance, decentralization, and military.

Gupta Empire – Collapse

Long-term: weak central control; Short-term: invasions; Trigger: successful foreign attacks.

Qin Dynasty – Government/Law Codes

Legalism with strict laws and harsh punishments.

Qin Dynasty – Infrastructure

Built the Great Wall and large construction projects.

Qin Dynasty – Military

Strong and advanced military.

Qin Dynasty – Strengths

Unified China, strong military, major infrastructure.

Qin Dynasty – Weaknesses

Harsh laws, short rule, book burning, inequality.

Qin Dynasty – Control

Maintained control through fear, centralization, and military force.

Qin Dynasty – Collapse

Long-term: public resentment; Short-term: revolts; Trigger: peasant uprisings.

Han Dynasty – Government/Bureaucracy

Civil Service Exams and Han Synthesis (Confucianism + Legalism).

Han Dynasty – Trade

Created the Silk Road to expand trade.

Han Dynasty – Infrastructure

Improved roads and the Great Wall.

Han Dynasty – Strengths

Strong government, expanded trade, effective administration.

Han Dynasty – Weaknesses

Nomadic invasions, heavy taxes, costly wars.

Han Dynasty – Control

Maintained control through exams, Han Synthesis, and infrastructure.

Han Dynasty – Collapse

Long-term: taxes and border threats; Short-term: revolts; Trigger: rebellions and invasions.

Roman Empire – Government/Law Codes

Twelve Tables created written laws for all citizens.

Roman Empire – Infrastructure

Aqueducts and roads connected the empire.

Roman Empire – Golden Age

Pax Romana brought long-lasting peace and prosperity.

Roman Empire – Military

Strong army called legions.

Roman Empire – Trade

Extensive trade networks across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Roman Empire – Strengths

Strong military, land expansion, powerful leadership.

Roman Empire – Control

Maintained control through Pax Romana, law codes, and trade.

Roman Empire – Collapse

Long-term: overexpansion; Short-term: weak leadership and invasions; Trigger: repeated invasions led to fall.