Imperial Age 1400s – 1700s

Empire Building – Asia vs. Africa vs. Europe Motivation ◦For all, increase wealth and power ◦Africans/Europeans – convert nonbelievers to Christianity/Islam Means ◦Force ◦Europeans and Asians – firearms ◦Africans – advent of European slave trade/guns

Empire Building – Asia vs. Africa vs. Europe Impediments ◦Europeans – lack of available territory on European continent  Not rich in resources  Needed new markets  Needed markets not ruled by powerful government ◦Africans and Asians  Distance  ability to set up stable and strong organizations to govern conquered people  Rivals who worked against the rules to gain either local or imperial power

Empire Building – Asia vs. Africa vs. Europe Advantages ◦Europeans  Naval forces  Advanced technology ◦Africans  Access to European weapons ◦Asia  Chinese dynasties alternating with periods that saw warring states ◦ Being part of an empire appealing to the Chinese at times

So, what’s the big deal about these empires? During the imperial age, we see that the world becomes interconnected through exploration, trade and politics. ◦Who becomes superior on the world stage? ◦How do these interactions affect those involved? In order to understand the imperial age, we need to be familiar with the world prior to this age. ◦Why did this shift to globalization/interconnectedness occur?

China’s lead up to the Imperial Age: Sui Achievements Tang Achievements Song Achievements Mongols (Yuan) Achievements Understanding the achievements of these dynasties will help us appreciate China at its height and why China becomes involved in world affairs – Why does the West want China? Use Chapter 8.1 & 8.2 to fill in the chart on the right