Final answer:
From 1450 to 1750, empires legitimized and consolidated their rule through strong political structures, the defense and promotion of religion, strategic trade policies, victories in warfare, and expansionist ideologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legitimization and Consolidation of Rule in Empires (1450-1750)
During the period of 1450 to 1750, political factors played a crucial role in allowing empires to legitimize and consolidate their rule. Monarchies that emerged in Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire often promoted and defended Christianity as a means to justify their rule. However, thinkers like Thomas Hobbes later argued that political systems should focus on securing social peace rather than glorifying a particular religion.
Empires also required a powerful political structure with supportive allies to thrive and expand. The British Empire, for example, leveraged victories such as those in the Seven Years' War and trade through its North American colonies to consolidate power and embark on further expansion, notably in India and towards China.
Islamic empires after 1500 were characterized by factors like a united Muslim community (ummah), and the interplay of politics, religion, technology, and trade played a substantial role in bolstering their rule. The impact of Islamic political and legal institutions significantly shaped the Muslim community during this period.
In conclusion, political leadership, intellectual ideas, expansionist trade policies, and victories in warfare were substantial contributors to the legitimacy and consolidation of empires' rule between 1450 and 1750. These factors often led to centralized authority, expanded territories, and economic growth that underpinned imperial rule.