Final answer:
The Ottoman and Spanish Empires expanded their influence from c. 1450 to c. 1750 through military conquests, control of trade routes, technological advancements, and colonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Between c. 1450 and c. 1750, various global empires expanded their influence through different strategies such as warfare, trade, and diplomacy.
Two notable examples are the Ottoman Empire and the Spanish Empire, both of which increased their dominance in different regions of the world during this period known as the early modern era.
The Ottoman Empire, with its origins in Asia Minor, expanded its influence significantly across , reaching Southeast Europe, Western Asia, the Caucasus, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa. This expansion was primarily achieved through military conquests and the strategic use of trade routes such as the Silk Road.
The Ottomans also facilitated trade by controlling major access points, including Constantinople, which they captured in 1453, renaming it Istanbul. Furthermore, the empire adopted advancements in gunpowder technology, which enhanced their military capabilities significantly compared to their rivals.
Across the Atlantic, the Spanish Empire emerged as a dominant power following the voyages of Columbus in 1492. Through exploration, conquest, and colonization, Spain amassed vast territories in the Americans, including most of South and Central America.
The empire's utilization of advanced maritime technology and navigation skills allowed them to establish new trade routes across the Atlantic, which was instrumental in their colonization efforts.
Spain's influence was also spread through religion, with Christian missionaries playing a key role in the cultural integration of indigenous populations.
In conclusion, both empires increased their influence through military conquests and control of trade routes, adopting new technologies that widened the gap between them and the nations they conquered.
Their expansions resulted in diverse impacts on the world, including economic globalization and the flow of wealth towards Europe, which set the stage for the subsequent waves of European imperialism.