Final answer:
Land-based empires from 1450-1750 expanded through military conquest, trade, and the establishment of settlements. Their development influenced cultural, religious and social structures across the world. The rise of European overseas empires initiated a shift in global power dynamics leading to the decline of traditional empires and the emergence of modern nation-states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Land-Based Empires Development and Expansion (1450-1750)
During the period from 1450 to 1750, certain land-based empires developed and expanded significantly. These empires grew through various means including military conquest, exploration, the establishment of trade routes, and the formation of alliances. The development of powerful bureaucracies and standing armies allowed these empires to maintain control over large territories and diverse populations.
Military conquest played a central role in the expansion of empires. As land-based powers solidified their territories, they oftentimes encountered other civilizations, leading to conflicts and the acquisition of new lands. These conquests could also spread religious and cultural influences, like the expansion of Christendom and Islam, shaping the regions administratively and socially.
The establishment of trade routes and alliances with other nations allowed for the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. The rise of trading companies and the exploitation of natural resources facilitated economic growth and supported the military and administrative structures of empires. The Ottoman Empire, for example, benefited from its strategic positioning along key trade routes.
Another significant factor was the European expansionism and colonization which began to affect indigenous populations around the world. The discovery of new lands by European explorers and the subsequent creation of settlements, for religions and agricultural products like tobacco and cotton, led to cultural changes and the establishment of slavery in these regions. This period also saw the transition from land-based power struggles to more global confrontations as overseas empires began to be established.
As the 18th century approached, these land-based empires faced new challenges and changes. With the rise of overseas empires and the shift in power dynamics, many of these traditional power structures started to decline. These changes laid foundations for the modern nation-states and international trade systems that dominate the global landscape today.