Key Civilizations and Empires: Notes Review

The Incas (1190-1530)

  1. Origin Myth

    • The Inca people traced their lineage back to Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, who were considered the children of the sun god Inti.

    • They emerged from Lake Titicaca to establish themselves.

    • They founded the city of Cuzco, which would eventually become the capital of the Inca Empire.

  2. Turning Point

    • A significant figure is Virachocha, who is viewed as the 8th lord of Cuzco and a descendant of Manco and the sun god.

    • The Incas faced attacks from neighboring Chancas, leading to Virachocha and his successor, Urchon, fleeing. Cuzco was captured during this turmoil.

  3. Yupanqui/Pachacuti

    • Yupanqui was the younger son of Virachocha.

    • He successfully rallied the Incas, driving the Chancas from Cuzco and becoming the new lord.

    • After the deaths of Virachocha and Urchon in exile, he adopted the name Pachacuti, becoming the first High Inca and ruler of Tahuantinsuyu, which refers to the four regions of the Inca Empire.

    • His reign lasted from 1471 to 1493 and he is often referred to as "the unforgettable."

  4. Huayna Capac

    • In 1493, Huayna Capac inherited the largest empire in South America's history.

    • Factors contributing to Inca success included:

      • Remarkable leadership

      • A very large and formidable military force

      • A unique and effective imperial administration.

      • The religious belief system of the Incas.

Mali (1230-1400)

  1. Geography and Early History

    • Mali arose in what is now western Sudan, controlling fertile lands and significant goldfields.

    • It was strategically located south of the Sahara Desert and north and west of regional tropical rainforests, established around the Senegal and Niger rivers.

  2. Economic Foundations

    • The wealth and power of Mali were largely built upon trade networks.

    • The introduction of camel caravans enabled trans-Saharan trade, particularly in gold, salt, and slaves, beginning around 100 CE.

  3. Sundiata Keita

    • Reigned from 1230 to 1255, Sundiata is credited with establishing the greatest empire seen in Sudan.

    • His reign was distinguished by a monopoly on gold and salt trades.

    • Sundiata converted to Islam, influencing many subjects to follow suit, significantly impacting the region’s culture and stability.

  4. Mansa Musa

    • Famous for his 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca, during which he showcased Mali's immense wealth while further promoting Islam.

    • His reign from 1312 to 1337 marked the zenith of Mali's power and global recognition.

  5. Ibn Battuta

    • A Moroccan traveler who visited Mali between 1352 to 1354, noted for mentioning Mali's justice system and Islamic practices during his journey.

    • After traveling across the Sahara in 1352, he met Mansa Suleiman, Mansa Musa’s successor.

    • He returned to Fez in Morocco in 1354, where he worked as a judge and recorded his travel accounts.

  6. Decline of Mali

    • Internal strife, succession disputes, and a loss of strategic trade routes to the emerging Songhai Empire led to the weakening of Mali.

    • Following Ibn Battuta’s departure, Mali’s decline began as civil wars erupted due to the lack of primogeniture, leading to struggles for power within the ruling dynasty.

    • Ethnic groups previously subjugated by Mali began to rebel and assert their independence.

    • By the end of the 14th century, the Mali Empire had collapsed.

Ming China (to 1433)

  1. The Mongol Empire and Anarchy

    • The collapse of the Yuan dynasty initiated a period of chaos in China post-1294, marked by poor leadership and inability of the government to maintain social order.

    • Problems included civil wars, crime, rebellions, and natural disasters.

  2. Chu Yuan-Chang

    • Born in 1328, Chu Yuan/Zhu Yuanzhang faced immediate family tragedy, losing his entire family by the age of sixteen.

    • From 1344 to 1352, he entered a Buddhist monastery before joining Kuo Tzu-hsing’s criminal organization from 1352 to 1355.

    • After Kuo's death, he seized control of a small area in central China centered around Nanjing.

  3. Rise of the Ming Dynasty

    • By 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang had vanquished all rival forces and expelled the Mongols, subsequently establishing the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and taking the title of Hung-wu emperor, ruling from 1368 to 1398.

    • Hung-wu was instrumental in restoring peace and reviving China after anarchy.

    • He implemented the principle of primogeniture, designating his grandson as the successor.

  4. Chu Yun-Wen and Chu Ti/Yung-lo

    • Chu Yun-wen ascended as the 2nd Ming emperor in 1398 but faced the ambitious challenge from his uncle Chu Ti/Zhu Di, Hung-wu’s 4th son.

    • Discontented with being overlooked for succession, Chu Ti moved the capital to Beijing, constructed the Forbidden City, and expanded military campaigns.

    • In 1399, Chu Ti revolted against Chu Yun-wen. By 1402, Chu Yun-wen disappeared, leading to Chu Ti becoming the Yung-lo/Yongle emperor, reigning from 1402 to 1424.

  5. Tribute System

    • Under Yung-lo, foreign states were invited to send envoys and gifts, reinforcing China's preeminence in regional politics.

    • Visiting rulers were required to perform a "kowtow" before the emperor on the dragon throne; compliance offered favorable treatment while defiance led to military action.

  6. Cheng Ho’s Voyages of Exploration

    • Admiral Zheng He led extensive naval expeditions from 1405 to 1433, showcasing Ming power across Asia and Africa.

    • These expeditions were noted for their size, with fleets featuring hundreds of ships, some as large as 444 feet long.

    • The venture ceased due to financial burdens and Confucian opposition to maritime exploration.

The Aztecs (to 1502)

  1. Origin Myth

    • The Aztecs believed they were chosen by the deity Huitzilopochtli, who guided their settlement at Tenochtitlan, marked by the vision of an eagle on a cactus.

    • In 1111, a prophecy prompted the Mexica/Aztecs to begin their migration from Aztlan down into central Mexico.

  2. Early History

    • The Mexica initially served as mercenaries during their early migrations.

    • Three significant conquerors in Aztec history—Itzcoatl, Montezuma I, and Ahuitzotl—expanded their territory through warfare and political alliances.

  3. Causes of Aztec Success

    • Key factors contributing to the success of the Aztecs included:

      • Effective leadership, traditionally governed by the Tlatocani, or "king."

      • A large and well-disciplined military.

      • An imperial administration that effectively managed resources and conquests.

      • A religious inclination where war was viewed as a form of holy warfare.

Tokugawa Japan (1551-1615)

  1. Feudal System

    • Japan operated under a feudal pyramid structure, originating with its first emperor, Jimmu, in 660 BCE.

    • The system included various levels of nobility: the shogun, daimyo, and samurai, guided by the Bushido code governing the behavior of warriors.

  2. Oda Nobunaga

    • Born in 1551, Oda Nobunaga began his ascent by inheriting the northern half of Owari province.

    • He conquered the entirety of Owari by 1560 and successfully defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto, extending control across four provinces.

    • He was noted for employing advanced military technologies.

    • Nobunaga ultimately deposed the last Ashikaga shogun in 1573 and solidified his power over 31 of Japan’s 66 provinces but was assassinated in Kyoto in 1582.

  3. Hideyoshi

    • Following Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1582-1598) faced civil wars, ultimately eliminating rivals and taking over its territories by 1584.

    • By 1590, he had succeeded in conquering all three of Japan's main islands, earning the title Taiko.

    • His son Hideyori was born in 1593, and Hideyoshi died in 1598.

  4. Tokugawa Ieyasu

    • Tokugawa Leyasu took control during a subsequent civil war from 1598 to 1600.

    • In 1600, he claimed victory against Ishida Mitsunari at the Battle of Sekigahara, establishing himself as shogun in 1603.

    • His rule marked the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868), and Hideyori committed suicide at Osaka in 1615, cementing Tokugawa's power.

The Ottoman Turks (1265-1566)

  1. Origins of the Ottoman Empire

    • The Ottoman Turks originated from the migrations westward from the Mongol Empire during the late 13th century.

    • Osman I, from 1280-1326, played a crucial role, describing a dream that signified converting to Sunni Islam, which determined the course of the Ottoman Empire’s foundation.

  2. Factors for Ottoman Success

    • Various key elements contributed to the Ottoman Empire's rise, including:

      • Astute leadership.

      • A powerful army featuring