The word “empire” has been on everyone’s lips lately; it has even become fashionable. It bears a reflection of its former grandeur and luxury. What is an empire?
Is this promising?
Dictionaries and encyclopedias offer the basic meaning of the word “empire” (from the Latin word “imperium” - power), the meaning of which, without going into boring details and without resorting to dry scientific vocabulary, comes down to the following. Firstly, an empire is a monarchy headed by an emperor or empress (Roman However, for a state to become an empire, it is not enough for its ruler to simply be called an emperor. The existence of an empire presupposes the presence of sufficiently vast controlled territories and peoples, strong centralized power (authoritarian or totalitarian). And if tomorrow Prince Hans-Adam II calls himself emperor, this will not change the essence of the state structure of Liechtenstein (whose population is less than forty thousand people), and it will not be possible to declare that this small principality is an empire (as a form of state).
Equally important
Secondly, countries that have impressive colonial possessions are often called empires. In this case, the presence of an emperor is not at all necessary. For example, the English kings were never called emperors, but for almost five centuries they led the British Empire, which included not only Great Britain, but also a large number of colonies and dominions. The great empires of the world forever etched their names in the tablets of history, but where did they end?
Roman Empire (27 BC - 476)
Formally, the first emperor in the history of civilization is considered to be Gaius Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC), who was previously a consul and then declared dictator for life. Realizing the need for serious reforms, Caesar passed laws that changed the political system of Ancient Rome. The role of the People's Assembly was lost, the Senate was replenished with Caesar's supporters, which granted Caesar the title of emperor with the right to pass it on to his descendants. Caesar began minting gold coins with his own image. His desire for unlimited power led to a conspiracy of senators (44 BC), organized by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius. In fact, the first emperor was Caesar's nephew, Octavian Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD). The title of emperor in those days denoted the supreme military leader who achieved significant victories. Formally, it still existed, and Augustus himself was called princeps (“first among equals”), but it was under Octavian that the republic acquired the features of a monarchy, similar to the eastern despotic states. In 284, Emperor Diocletian (245 - 313) initiated reforms that finally turned the former Roman Republic into an empire. From then on, the emperor began to be called dominus - master. In 395, the state was divided into two parts - Eastern (capital - Constantinople) and Western (capital - Rome) - each of which was headed by its own emperor. Such was the will of Emperor Theodosius, who, on the eve of his death, divided the state between his sons. In the last period of its existence, the Western Empire was subject to constant invasions of barbarians, and in 476 the once powerful state would be finally defeated by the barbarian commander Odoacer (about 431 - 496), who would rule only Italy, renouncing both the title of emperor and others. possessions of the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome, great empires would arise one after another.
Byzantine Empire (IV - XV centuries)
Originates from the Eastern Roman Empire. When Odoacer overthrew the latter, he took away the dignity of power from him and sent them to Constantinople. There is only one Sun on earth, and there should also be one emperor - this is approximately the meaning attached to this act. The Byzantine Empire was located at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa, its borders stretched from the Euphrates to the Danube. Christianity played a major role in the strengthening of Byzantium, becoming in 381 the state religion of the entire Roman Empire. The Fathers of the Church argued that thanks to faith, not only a person is saved, but also society itself. Consequently, Byzantium is under the protection of the Lord and is obliged to lead other nations to salvation. Secular and spiritual power must be united in the name of a single goal. The Byzantine Empire is a state in which the idea of imperial power took on its most mature form. God is the ruler of the entire Universe, and the emperor presides over the Earthly Kingdom. Therefore, the power of the emperor is protected by God and is sacred. The Byzantine emperor had practically unlimited power, he determined domestic and foreign policy, was the commander-in-chief of the army, the highest judge and at the same time a legislator. The Emperor of Byzantium is not only the head of state, but also the head of the Church, so he had to set an example of exemplary Christian piety. It is curious that the power of the emperor here was not hereditary from a legal point of view. The history of Byzantium knows examples when a person became its emperor not because of a crowned birth, but based on the results of his real merits.
Ottoman (Ottoman) Empire (1299 - 1922)
Usually historians count its existence from 1299, when the Ottoman state arose in the north-west of Anatolia, founded by its first Sultan Osman, the founder of the new dynasty. Soon Osman would conquer the entire west of Asia Minor, which would become a powerful platform for the further expansion of the Turkic tribes. We can say that the Ottoman Empire is Türkiye during the sultanate period. But strictly speaking, the empire here emerged only in the 15th - 16th centuries, when Turkish conquests in Europe, Asia and Africa became very significant. Its heyday coincided with the collapse of the Byzantine Empire. This, of course, is not accidental: if it has decreased somewhere, then it will certainly increase elsewhere, as the law of conservation of energy and power on the Eurasian continent says. In the spring of 1453, as a result of a long siege and bloody battles, the troops of the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed II occupied the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople. This victory would ensure that the Turks would secure a dominant position in the eastern Mediterranean for many years to come. The capital of the Ottoman Empire will be Constantinople (Istanbul). The Ottoman Empire would reach its highest point of influence and prosperity in the 16th century - during the reign of Suleiman I the Magnificent. By the beginning of the 17th century, the Ottoman state would become one of the most powerful in the world. The Empire controlled almost all of South-Eastern Europe, North Africa and Western Asia, it consisted of 32 provinces and many tributary states. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire will occur as a result of the First World War. Being allies of Germany, the Turks would be defeated, the sultanate would be abolished in 1922, and Türkiye would become a republic in 1923.
British Empire (1497 - 1949)
The British Empire is the largest colonial state in the entire history of civilization. In the 30s of the twentieth century, the territory of the United Kingdom accounted for almost a quarter of the earth's landmass, and its population was a quarter of those living on the planet (it is no coincidence that English became the most authoritative language in the world). England's European conquests began with the invasion of Ireland, and intercontinental conquests with the capture of Newfoundland (1583), which became a springboard for expansion in North America. The success of British colonization was facilitated by the successful imperialist war that England waged with Spain, France, and Holland. At the very beginning of the 17th century, Britain's penetration into India began, and later England would take on Australia and New Zealand, North, Tropical and South Africa.
Britain and the colonies
After World War I, the League of Nations would give the United Kingdom a mandate to govern some of the former Ottoman colonies (including Iran and Palestine). However, the results of World War II significantly shifted the emphasis on the colonial issue. Britain, although it was among the winners, was forced to take out a huge loan from the United States to avoid bankruptcy. The USSR and the USA - the largest players in the political arena - were opponents of colonization. Meanwhile, liberation sentiments intensified in the colonies. In this situation, it was too difficult and expensive to maintain colonial rule. Unlike Portugal and France, England did not do this and transferred power to local governments. Today, Great Britain continues to maintain dominance over 14 territories.
Russian Empire (1721 - 1917)
After the end of the Northern War, when new lands and access to the Baltic were secured, Tsar Peter I accepted the title of Emperor of All Russia at the request of the Senate, the highest body of state power established ten years earlier. In terms of area, the Russian Empire became the third (after the British and Mongolian empires) of ever existing state entities. Before the emergence of the State Duma in 1905, the power of the Russian emperor was not limited by anything other than Orthodox norms. Peter I, who strengthened the country, divided Russia into eight provinces. During the time of Catherine II, there were 50 of them, and by 1917, as a result of territorial expansion, their number increased to 78. Russia is an empire that included a number of modern sovereign states (Finland, Belarus, Ukraine, Transcaucasia and Central Asia). As a result of the February Revolution of 1917, the reign of the Romanov dynasty of Russian emperors ended, and in September of the same year Russia was proclaimed a republic.
Centrifugal tendencies are to blame
As we see, all the great empires collapsed. The centripetal forces that create them are sooner or later replaced by centrifugal tendencies, leading these states, if not to complete collapse, then to disintegration.
Incredible facts
Throughout human history, we have seen empires rise and fall into oblivion over decades, centuries, and even millennia. If it is true that history repeats itself, then perhaps we can learn from the mistakes and better understand the achievements of the world's most powerful and longest-lived empires.
Empire is a difficult word to define. Although this term is thrown around very often, it is nevertheless often used in the wrong context and misrepresents the political location of the country. The simplest definition describes a political unit that exercises control over another political body. Basically, these are countries or groups of people who control the political decisions of a smaller unit.
The term "hegemony" is often used along with empire, but there are significant differences between the two, just as there are obvious differences between the concepts of "leader" and "bully". Hegemony operates as an agreed upon set of international rules, while empire produces and implements those same rules. Hegemony represents the dominant influence of one group over other groups, however, it requires the consent of the majority in order for that leading group to remain in power.
Which empires in history lasted the longest, and what can we learn from them? Below we will look at these past kingdoms, how they formed, and the factors that ultimately led to their downfall.
10. Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire is remembered for having one of the strongest navies the world has ever seen. A lesser-known fact is that it did not “disappear” from the face of the earth until 1999. The kingdom lasted for 584 years. It was the first global empire in history, spanning four continents, and began in 1415 when the Portuguese captured the Muslim North African city of Cueta. Expansion continued as they moved into Africa, India, Asia and the Americas.
After World War II, decolonization efforts intensified in many areas, causing many European countries to "embark" from their colonies around the world. This did not happen to Portugal until 1999, when it finally gave up Macau in China, signaling the "end" of the empire.
The Portuguese Empire was able to expand so much because of its superior weapons, naval superiority, and ability to quickly build ports to trade sugar, slaves, and gold. She also had enough strength to conquer new peoples and gain lands. But, as is the case with most empires throughout history, the conquered areas eventually sought to reclaim their lands back.
The Portuguese Empire collapsed for several reasons, including international pressure and economic tension.
9. Ottoman Empire
At the height of its power, the Ottoman Empire spanned three continents and encompassed a wide range of cultures, religions and languages. Despite these differences, the empire was able to flourish for 623 years, from 1299 to 1922.
The Ottoman Empire got its start as a small Turkish state after the weakened Byzantine Empire left the region. Osman I pushed the boundaries of his empire outward, relying on strong judicial, educational, and military systems, as well as a unique method of transferring power. The empire continued to expand and eventually conquered Constantinople in 1453 and spread its influence deep into Europe and North Africa. The civil wars of the early 1900s that immediately followed World War I, as well as the Arab Revolt, signaled the beginning of the end. At the end of World War I, the Treaty of Sèvres divided much of the Ottoman Empire. The final point was the Turkish War of Independence, as a result of which Constantinople fell in 1922.
Inflation, competition and unemployment are cited as key factors in the demise of the Ottoman Empire. Each part of this massive empire was culturally and economically diverse, and their inhabitants ultimately wanted to break free.
8. Khmer Empire
Little is known about the Khmer Empire, however, its capital city of Angkor was said to be very impressive, thanks in large part to Angkor Wat, one of the world's largest religious monuments, built at the zenith of its power. The Khmer Empire began in 802 AD when Jayavarman II was proclaimed king of the region that is now Cambodia. 630 years later, in 1432, the empire came to an end.
Some of what we know about this empire comes from stone murals found in the region, and some information comes from Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan, who traveled to Angkor in 1296 and published a book about his experiences. Almost the entire existence of the empire, it tried to capture more and more new territories. Angkor was the main home of the nobility during the second period of the empire. When the power of the Khmers began to weaken, neighboring civilizations began to fight for control of Angkor.
There are many theories as to why the empire collapsed. Some believe that the king converted to Buddhism, which led to the loss of workers, degeneration of the water system, and ultimately very poor harvests. Others claim that the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai conquered Angkor in the 1400s. Another theory suggests that the last straw was the transfer of power to the city of Oudong, while Angkor remained abandoned.
7. Ethiopian Empire
Considering the duration of the Ethiopian Empire, we know surprisingly little about it. Ethiopia and Liberia were the only African countries that managed to resist the European “Scramble for Africa”. The long existence of the empire began in 1270, when the Solomonid dynasty overthrew the Zagwe dynasty, declaring that they owned the rights to this land, as King Solomon bequeathed. From then on, the dynasty subsequently grew into an empire by uniting new civilizations under its rule.
All this continued until 1895, when Italy declared war on the empire, and that’s when the problems began. In 1935, Benito Mussolini ordered his soldiers to invade Ethiopia and the war raged there for seven months, leading to Italy being declared the winner of the war. From 1936 to 1941, Italians ruled the country.
The Ethiopian Empire did not greatly expand its borders or exhaust its resources, as we saw in previous examples. Rather, Ethiopia's resources have become more powerful, in particular, we are talking about huge coffee plantations. Civil wars contributed to the weakening of the empire, however, at the head of everything, it was still Italy's desire to expand, which led to the fall of Ethiopia.
6. Kanem Empire
We know very little about the Kanem Empire and how its people lived, most of our knowledge comes from a text document discovered in 1851 called Girgam. Over time, Islam became their main religion, however, as expected, the introduction of religion could cause internal strife in the early years of the empire. The Kanem Empire was created around 700 and lasted until 1376. It was located in what is now Chad, Libya and part of Nigeria.
According to a document found, the Zaghawa people founded their capital in 700 in the city of N'jimi. The history of the empire is divided between two dynasties - Duguwa and Sayfawa (which was the driving force that brought Islam). Its expansion continues. and during the period when the king declared a holy war, or jihad, on all the surrounding tribes.
The military system designed to facilitate jihad was based on the state principles of hereditary nobility, in which soldiers received part of the lands they conquered, while the lands remained in their possession for many years, even their sons could dispose of them. This system led to a civil war that weakened the empire and left it vulnerable to attack by external enemies. The Bulala invaders were able to quickly seize control of the capital and eventually take control of the empire in 1376.
The lesson of the Kanem Empire shows how bad decisions provoke internal conflict, leaving once powerful people defenseless. Similar developments are repeated throughout history.
5. Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was seen as a revival of the Western Roman Empire, and it was also considered a political counterweight to the Roman Catholic Church. Its name, however, comes from the fact that the emperor was chosen by voters, but he was crowned by the pope in Rome. The empire lasted from 962 to 1806 and occupied a fairly vast territory, which is now Central Europe, primarily including most of Germany.
The Empire began when Otto I was proclaimed King of Germany, however, he later became known as the first Holy Roman Emperor. The Empire consisted of 300 different territories, however, after the Thirty Years' War in 1648, it was fragmented, thereby planting the seeds of independence.
In 1792, there was an uprising in France. By 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte forced the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, to abdicate, after which the empire was renamed the Confederation of the Rhine. Like the Ottoman and Portuguese Empires, the Holy Roman Empire was made up of various ethnic groups and smaller kingdoms. Ultimately, the desire of these kingdoms to gain independence led to the collapse of the empire.
4. Silla Empire
Little is known about the beginnings of the Silla Empire, but by the sixth century it was a highly complex society based on descent, in which lineage decided everything from the clothes a person could wear to the work activities he was allowed to do. . Although this system helped the empire initially acquire large amounts of land, it ultimately led to its demise.
The Silla Empire began in 57 BC. and occupied territory that currently belongs to North and South Korea. Kin Park Hyeokgeose was the first ruler of the empire. During his reign, the empire continually expanded, conquering more and more kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. Eventually, a monarchy was formed. The Chinese Tang Dynasty and the Silla Empire were at war in the seventh century, however, the dynasty was defeated.
A century of civil war among high-ranking families, as well as among the defeated kingdoms, left the empire doomed. Eventually, in 935 AD, the empire ceased to exist and became part of the new state of Goryeo, with which it fought a war in the 7th century. Historians do not know the exact circumstances that led to the demise of the Silla Empire, however, the general view is that neighboring countries were unhappy with the continued expansion of the empire through the Korean Peninsula. Numerous theories agree that smaller kingdoms struck to gain sovereignty.
3. Venetian Republic
The pride of the Venetian Republic was its massive navy, which allowed it to quickly prove its power throughout Europe and the Mediterranean by conquering such important historical cities as Cyprus and Crete. The Republic of Venice lasted an amazing 1,100 years, from 697 to 1797. It all started when the Western Roman Empire fought Italy, and when the Venetians declared Paolo Lucio Anafesto their duke. The empire went through several significant changes, however, it gradually expanded and became what is now known as the Republic of Venice, feuding with the Turks and the Ottoman Empire, among others.
A large number of wars significantly weakened the defensive forces of the empire. The city of Piedmont soon submitted to France, and Napoleon Bonaparte captured part of the empire. When Napoleon issued an ultimatum, Doge Ludovico Manin surrendered in 1797, and Napoleon began to rule Venice.
The Republic of Venice is a classic example of how an empire that extends over vast distances is unable to defend its capital. Unlike other empires, it was not civil wars that killed it, but wars with its neighbors. The highly prized Venetian navy, which was once invincible, was spread too far and was unable to defend its own empire.
2. Empire of Kush
The Kush Empire lasted from approximately 1070 BC. to 350 AD and occupied territory that currently belongs to the Republic of Sudan. Throughout its long history, very little information has survived about the political structure of the region, however, there is evidence of monarchies in the last years of its existence. However, the Kush Empire ruled over several smaller countries in the region and managed to retain power. The empire's economy was heavily dependent on the trade in iron and gold.
Some evidence suggests that the empire was attacked by desert tribes, while others believe that over-reliance on iron led to deforestation, forcing the people to disperse.
Other empires fell because they exploited their own people or neighboring countries, however, the deforestation theory believes that the Kush Empire fell because it destroyed its own lands. Both the rise and fall of the empire turned out to be fatally connected with the same industry.
1. Eastern Roman Empire
The Roman Empire is not only one of the most famous in history, it is also the longest lasting empire. It went through several eras, but, in fact, lasted since 27 BC. to 1453 AD – a total of 1480 years. The republics that preceded it were destroyed by civil wars, and Julius Caesar became dictator. The empire expanded into modern-day Italy and much of the Mediterranean region. The empire had great power, but Emperor Diocletian in the third century "introduced" a key factor to ensure the long-term success and prosperity of the empire. He determined that two emperors could rule, thereby easing the stress of taking over large amounts of territory. Thus, the foundations were laid for the possibility of the existence of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
The Western Roman Empire dissolved in 476 when German troops rebelled and overthrew Romulus Augustus from the imperial throne. The Eastern Roman Empire continued to flourish after 476, becoming better known as the Byzantine Empire.
Class conflicts led to the civil war of 1341-1347, which not only reduced the number of small states that comprised the Byzantine Empire, but also allowed the short-lived Serbian Empire to rule for a short period of time in some areas of the Byzantine Empire. Social upheaval and plague contributed to the further weakening of the kingdom. Combined with growing unrest in the empire, plague and social unrest, it eventually fell when the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453.
Despite the strategy of co-emperor Diocletian, which undoubtedly greatly increased the "lifespan" of the Roman Empire, it suffered the same fate as other empires whose massive expansion eventually provoked various ethnic peoples to fight for sovereignty.
These empires lasted the longest in history, but each had its own weak points, be it the use of land or people, none of the empires was able to contain social unrest caused by class divisions, unemployment or lack of resources.
1. British Empire (42.75 million km²)Highest peak - 1918
The British Empire is the largest state that has ever existed in the history of mankind with colonies on all inhabited continents. The empire reached its largest area in the mid-30s of the 20th century, when the lands of the United Kingdom extended over 34,650,407 km² (including 8 million km² of uninhabited lands), which is about 22% of the earth's land. The total population of the empire was approximately 480 million people (about one-fourth of humanity). It is the legacy of Pax Britannica that explains the role of English as the most widely spoken language in the world in the fields of transport and trade.
2. Mongol Empire (38.0 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1270-1368.
Mongol Empire (Mongolian Mongolian ezent guren; Middle Mongolian ᠶᠡᠺᠡ ᠮᠣᠨᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ, Yeke Mongγol ulus - Great Mongolian state, Mongolian Mongol ulus) - a state that emerged in the 13th century as a result of the conquests of Chinggis khan and his successors and included the most the largest contiguous territory in world history from the Danube to the Sea of Japan and from Novgorod to Southeast Asia (area approximately 38,000,000 square kilometers). Karakorum became the capital of the state.
During its heyday, it included vast territories of Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China and Tibet. In the second half of the 13th century, the empire began to disintegrate into uluses, headed by the Chingizids. The largest fragments of Great Mongolia were the Yuan Empire, the Ulus of Jochi (Golden Horde), the state of the Hulaguids and the Chagatai Ulus. The Great Khan Kublai, who assumed (1271) the title of Emperor Yuan and moved the capital to Khanbalyk, laid claim to supremacy over all uluses. By the beginning of the 14th century, the formal unity of the empire was restored in the form of a federation of virtually independent states.
In the last quarter of the 14th century, the Mongol Empire ceased to exist.
3. Russian Empire (22.8 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1866
The Russian Empire (Russian doref. Rossiyskaya Imperiya; also the All-Russian Empire, the Russian State or Russia) is a state that existed from October 22 (November 2, 1721) to the February Revolution and the proclamation of the republic in 1917 by the Provisional Government.
The Empire was proclaimed on October 22 (November 2, 1721) following the results of the Northern War, when, at the request of senators, Russian Tsar Peter I the Great accepted the titles of Emperor of All Russia and Father of the Fatherland.
The capital of the Russian Empire from 1721 to 1728 and from 1730 to 1917 was St. Petersburg, and in 1728-1730 Moscow.
The Russian Empire was the third largest state ever to exist (after the British and Mongol Empires) - stretching to the Arctic Ocean in the north and the Black Sea in the south, to the Baltic Sea in the west and the Pacific Ocean in the east. The head of the empire, the All-Russian Emperor, had unlimited, absolute power until 1905.
On September 1 (14), 1917, Alexander Kerensky proclaimed the country a republic (although this issue fell within the competence of the Constituent Assembly; on January 5 (18), 1918, the Constituent Assembly also declared Russia a republic). However, the legislative body of the empire - the State Duma - was dissolved only on October 6 (19), 1917.
Geographical position of the Russian Empire: 35°38’17" - 77°36'40" north latitude and 17°38' east longitude - 169°44' west longitude. The territory of the Russian Empire at the end of the 19th century - 21.8 million km² (that is, 1/6 of the land) - it ranked second (and third ever) in the world, after the British Empire. The article does not take into account the territory of Alaska, which was part of it from 1744 to 1867 and occupied an area of 1,717,854 km².
The regional reform of Peter I for the first time divides Russia into provinces, streamlining administration, supplying the army with provisions and recruits from the localities, and improving tax collection. Initially, the country is divided into 8 provinces headed by governors vested with judicial and administrative powers.
The provincial reform of Catherine II divides the empire into 50 provinces, divided into counties (about 500 in total). To assist governors, state and judicial chambers and other state and social institutions have been created. The governors were subordinate to the Senate. The head of the district is a police captain (elected by the district assembly of nobles).
By 1914, the empire was divided into 78 provinces, 21 regions and 2 independent districts, where 931 cities were located. Russia includes the following territories of modern states: all CIS countries (without the Kaliningrad region and the southern part of the Sakhalin region of the Russian Federation; Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi regions of Ukraine); eastern and central Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Lithuania (without the Memel region), several Turkish and Chinese regions. Some of the provinces and regions were united into the Governor-Generalship (Kiev, Caucasus, Siberian, Turkestan, East Siberian, Amur, Moscow). The Bukhara and Khiva khanates were official vassals, the Uriankhai region is a protectorate. For 123 years (from 1744 to 1867), the Russian Empire also owned Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, as well as part of the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada.
According to the general census of 1897, the population was 129.2 million people. The distribution of the population by territory was as follows: European Russia - 94,244.1 thousand people, Poland - 9456.1 thousand people, Caucasus - 9354.8 thousand people, Siberia - 5784.5 thousand people, Middle Asia - 7747.1 thousand people, Finland - 2555.5 thousand people.
4. Soviet Union (22.4 million km²)
Highest peak - 1945-1990.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, also the USSR, the Soviet Union is a state that existed from 1922 to 1991 on the territory of Eastern Europe, Northern, and parts of Central and Eastern Asia. The USSR occupied almost 1/6 of the Earth's inhabited landmass; at the time of its collapse it was the largest country in the world by area. Formed on the territory that by 1917 was occupied by the Russian Empire without Finland, part of the Polish Kingdom and some other territories.
According to the Constitution of 1977, the USSR was proclaimed a single union multinational socialist state.
After World War II, the USSR had land borders with Afghanistan, Hungary, Iran, China, North Korea (since September 9, 1948), Mongolia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Finland, Czechoslovakia and sea borders with the USA, Sweden and Japan.
The USSR was created on December 30, 1922 by uniting the RSFSR, Ukrainian SSR, Belarusian SSR and Transcaucasian SFSR into one state association with a uniform government, capital in Moscow, executive and judicial authorities, legislative and legal systems. In 1941, the USSR entered the Second World War, and after it, along with the United States, was a superpower. The Soviet Union dominated the world system of socialism and was also a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The collapse of the USSR was characterized by an acute confrontation between representatives of the central union government and the newly elected local authorities (Supreme Councils, presidents of the union republics). In 1989-1990, the “parade of sovereignties” began. On March 17, 1991, an All-Union referendum on the preservation of the USSR was held in 9 of the 15 republics of the USSR, in which more than two-thirds of the voting citizens were in favor of preserving the renewed union. But after the August Putsch and the events that followed it, the preservation of the USSR as a state entity became virtually impossible, as stated in the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed on December 8, 1991. The USSR officially ceased to exist on December 26, 1991. At the end of 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as a successor state of the USSR in international legal relations and took its place in the UN Security Council.
5. Spanish Empire (20.0 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1790
The Spanish Empire (Spanish: Imperio Español) is a collection of territories and colonies that were under the direct control of Spain in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The Spanish Empire, at the height of its power, was one of the largest empires in world history. Its creation is associated with the beginning of the era of great geographical discoveries, during which it became one of the first colonial empires. The Spanish Empire existed from the 15th century until (in the case of its African possessions) the end of the 20th century. The Spanish territories were united in the late 1480s with a union of Catholic kings: the King of Aragon and the Queen of Castile. Despite the fact that the monarchs continued to rule each of their lands, their foreign policy was common. In 1492 they captured Granada and completed the Reconquista in the Iberian Peninsula against the Moors. The entry of Granada into the Kingdom of Castile completed the unification of the Spanish lands, despite the fact that Spain was still divided into two kingdoms. In the same year, Christopher Columbus launched the first Spanish exploratory expedition westward across the Atlantic Ocean, discovering the New World for Europeans and establishing Spain's first overseas colonies there. From this point on, the Western Hemisphere became the main target of Spanish exploration and colonization.
In the 16th century, the Spaniards created settlements on the islands of the Caribbean, and the conquistadors destroyed such state formations as the Aztec and Inca empires on the mainland of North and South America, respectively, taking advantage of the contradictions between local peoples and using higher military technologies. Subsequent expeditions extended the empire's borders from modern Canada to the southern tip of South America, including the Falkland or Malvinas Islands. In 1519, the First Voyage around the World, begun by Ferdinand Magellan in 1519 and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano in 1522, aimed to achieve what Columbus failed, namely a western route to Asia, and as a result included the Far East in the Spanish sphere of influence . Colonies were established in Guam, the Philippines and nearby islands. At the time of its Siglo de Oro, the Spanish Empire included the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, large parts of Italy, lands in Germany and France, colonies in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and large areas in the Americas. In the 17th century, Spain controlled an empire of such a scale, and its parts were so far removed from each other, which no one had achieved before.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, expeditions were undertaken in search of Terra Australis, during which a number of archipelagos and islands in the South Pacific were discovered, including the Pitcairn Islands, the Marquesas Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, which were declared the property of the Spanish Crown, but were not successfully colonized by it. Many of Spain's European possessions were lost after the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, but Spain retained its overseas territories. In 1741, an important victory over Great Britain at Cartagena (modern Colombia) extended Spanish hegemony in the Americas into the 19th century. At the end of the 18th century, Spanish expeditions in the northwestern Pacific Ocean reached the coasts of Canada and Alaska, establishing a settlement on Vancouver Island and discovering several archipelagos and glaciers.
The French occupation of Spain by the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808 led to the fact that Spain's colonies became cut off from the mother country, and the subsequent independence movement that began in 1810-1825 led to the creation of a number of new independent Spanish-American republics in South and Central America. The remnants of the four-hundred-year-old Spanish empire, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish East Indies, continued to remain under Spanish control until the late 19th century, when most of these territories were annexed by the United States after the Spanish-American War. The remaining Pacific islands were sold to Germany in 1899.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Spain still continued to hold only territories in Africa, Spanish Guinea, Spanish Sahara and Spanish Morocco. Spain left Morocco in 1956 and granted independence to Equatorial Guinea in 1968. When Spain abandoned the Spanish Sahara in 1976, the colony was immediately annexed by Morocco and Mauritania, and then entirely by Morocco in 1980, although technically the territory remains under a UN decision. control of the Spanish administration. Today, Spain has only the Canary Islands and two enclaves on the North African coast, Ceuta and Melilla, which are administratively parts of Spain.
6. Qing Dynasty (14.7 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1790
The Great Qing State (Daicing gurun.svg Daicing Gurun, Chinese tr. 大清國, pal.: Da Qing guo) was a multinational empire created and ruled by the Manchus, which later included China. According to traditional Chinese historiography - the last dynasty of monarchical China. It was founded in 1616 by the Manchu clan of Aishin Gyoro in the territory of Manchuria, currently called northeastern China. In less than 30 years, all of China, part of Mongolia and part of Central Asia came under her rule.
The dynasty was originally called "Jin" (金 - gold), in traditional Chinese historiography "Hou Jin" (後金 - Later Jin), after the Jin Empire - the former state of the Jurchens, from which the Manchus derived themselves. In 1636 the name was changed to "Qing" (清 - "pure"). In the first half of the 18th century. The Qing government managed to establish effective governance of the country, one of the results of which was that in this century the fastest rates of population growth were observed in China. The Qing court pursued a policy of self-isolation, which ultimately led to the fact that in the 19th century. China, part of the Qing Empire, was forcibly opened by Western powers.
Subsequent cooperation with Western powers allowed the dynasty to avoid collapse during the Taiping Rebellion, carry out relatively successful modernization, etc. to exist until the beginning of the 20th century, but it also served as the reason for growing nationalist (anti-Manchu) sentiments.
As a result of the Xinhai Revolution, which began in 1911, the Qing Empire was destroyed and the Republic of China, the national state of the Han Chinese, was proclaimed. Empress Dowager Longyu abdicated the throne on behalf of the then minor last emperor, Pu Yi, on February 12, 1912.
7. Russian kingdom (14.5 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1721
The Russian Tsardom or in the Byzantine version the Russian Tsardom is a Russian state that existed between 1547 and 1721. The name "Russian Kingdom" was the official name of Russia in this historical period. The official name was also рꙋсїѧ
In 1547, the Sovereign of All Rus' and Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan IV the Terrible was crowned Tsar and took the full title: “Great Sovereign, by the grace of God, Tsar and Grand Duke of All Rus', Vladimir, Moscow, Novgorod, Pskov, Ryazan, Tver, Yugorsk, Perm, Vyatsky, Bulgarian and others,” subsequently, with the expansion of the borders of the Russian state, the title was added “Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Siberia,” “and ruler of all Northern countries.”
In terms of title, the Russian Kingdom was preceded by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and its successor was the Russian Empire. In historiography there is also a tradition of periodization of Russian history, according to which it is customary to talk about the emergence of a single and independent centralized Russian state during the reign of Ivan III the Great. The idea of unifying Russian lands (including those that found themselves after the Mongol invasion as part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland) and restoring the Old Russian state could be traced throughout the existence of the Russian state and was inherited by the Russian Empire.
8. Yuan Dynasty (14.0 million km²)
Highest flowering - 1310
Empire (in the Chinese tradition - dynasty) Yuan (Ikh Yuan ul.PNG Mong. Ikh Yuan Uls, Great Yuan State, Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus.PNG Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus; Chinese example: 元朝, pinyin: Yuáncháo; Vietnamese. Nhà Nguyên (Nguyên triều), House (Dynasty) of Nguyen) was a Mongol state whose main territory was China (1271-1368). Founded by Genghis Khan's grandson, the Mongol Khan Kublai Khan, who completed his conquest of China in 1279. The dynasty fell as a result of the Red Turban Rebellion of 1351-68. The official Chinese history of this dynasty was recorded during the subsequent Ming Dynasty and is called "Yuan Shi".
9. Umayyad Caliphate (13.0 million km²)
Highest flowering - 720-750.
Omayyad (arab. الأمويوild) or Banu Umaya (arab. Lfa أuction) - the Khalifov dynasty founded by Muavia in 661. Omeyayad of the Sufyanid and Marvanid branches ruled in the Damask Caliphate until the middle of the VIII century. In 750, as a result of the uprising of Abu Muslim, their dynasty was overthrown by the Abbasids, and all the Umayyads were destroyed, except for the grandson of the caliph Hisham Abd al-Rahman, who founded the dynasty in Spain (Cordoba Caliphate). The ancestor of the dynasty was Omayya ibn Abdshams, son of Abdshams ibn Abdmanaf and cousin of Abdulmuttalib. Abdshams and Hashim were twin brothers.
10. Second French colonial empire (13.0 million km²)
Highest peak - 1938
Evolution of the French Colonial Empire (year is indicated in the upper left corner):
The French colonial empire (French L’Empire colonial français) is the totality of the colonial possessions of France in the period between 1546-1962. Like the British Empire, France had colonial territories in all regions of the world, but its colonial policies differed significantly from Britain's. The remnants of the once vast colonial empire are the modern overseas departments of France (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, etc.) and a special territory sui generis (the island of New Caledonia). The modern legacy of the French colonial era is also the union of French-speaking countries (Francophonie).
03.05.2013
A hundred years ago, countries strived to become the most powerful and developed powers in the world, capturing more and more territories and spreading their influence. This is the top 10 most great empires world in history. They are considered the most important and longest lasting, they were powerful and played an important role in history. The Russian Empire and even the great Macedonian Empire created by Alexander the Great did not make it into the top 10, but it was the first European empire that advanced to Asia and defeated the Persian Empire, and perhaps one of the most powerful in the ancient world. But it is believed that these 10 great empires were more important in history, made a greater contribution.
Mayan Empire (c.2000 BC-1540 AD)
This empire is distinguished by its longevity, its cycle lasted almost 3500 years! This is twice the life of the Roman Empire. So far, scientists know very little about the first 3,000 years, as well as about the mysterious pyramid-like structures scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Well, is it worth mentioning the famous doomsday calendar?
French Empire (1534-1962)
Second largest in history great empire- French colonial empire, occupied 4.9 million square miles and covered almost 1/10 of the total area of the Earth. Her influence made French one of the most widely spoken languages at that time, bringing fashion to French architecture, culture, cuisine, etc. to all corners of the globe. However, she gradually lost influence, and two world wars completely deprived her of her last strength.
Spanish Empire (1492-1976)
One of the first large empires that seized territories in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, creating colonies. For hundreds of years it remained one of the most important political and economic forces in the world. The main contribution to history is undoubtedly the discovery of the New World in 1492 and the spread of Christianity in the Western world.
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
The last ruling dynasty of China in its imperial past. It was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro in the territory of modern Manchuria in 1644, quickly grew and developed and eventually covered all the territories of modern China, Mongolia and even parts of Siberia by the 18th century. The empire covered an area of more than 5,700,000 square miles. The dynasty was overthrown during the Xinhai Revolution.
Umayyad Caliphate (661-750)
One of the fastest growing great empires in history, whose life, however, was just as short. It was founded by one of the four caliphates - the Umayyad Caliphate, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad and served to spread Islam throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Sweeping away everything in its path, Islam seized power in the region and retains it to this day.
Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BC)
Most often it is called the Medo-Persian Empire. Stretching from the Indus Valley of modern Pakistan to Libya and the Balkans, this empire is the largest Asian empire in ancient history. The founder was Cyrus the Great, best known today as an enemy of the Greek city-states during the Greco-Persian Wars, who was killed by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. After his death, the empire split into two large parts and several independent territories. The model of state and bureaucracy invented in this empire still works today.
Great Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)
Became one of the largest and longest-lived great empires of the world in history. At its height (under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent) in the 16th century, it stretched from the southern borders of the Holy Roman Empire to the Persian Gulf, and from the Caspian Sea to Algeria, effectively holding control over much of southeastern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. . At the beginning of the 17th century, the empire included no fewer than 32 provinces, along with numerous vassal states. Unfortunately, ethnic and religious tensions and competition from other powers led to a gradual disintegration in the 19th century.
Mongol Empire (1206-1368)
Despite the fact that the empire lasted only 162 years, the pace at which it grew is frightening. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan (1163-1227), the entire territory from Eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan was captured. At its peak, it covered an area of 9,000,000 square miles. Perhaps the empire would have been able to capture Japan if the ships had not been destroyed by the tsunamis of 1274 and 1281. By the mid-14th century, the empire began to gradually disintegrate due to internal conflicts and eventually split into several states.
British Empire (1603 to 1997)
Despite its short life span of only 400 years, the British Empire (essentially several British Isles) managed to become the largest in history. At its peak in 1922, the empire dominated almost 500 million people (1/5 of the world's population at that time) and covered more than 13 million square meters. miles (1/4 of the Earth's area)! That empire had colonies on all continents of the world. Alas, everything must come to an end. After two world wars, Britain was financially devastated and, after the loss of India in 1947, gradually began to lose influence and colonies.
Greater Roman Empire (27 BC to 1453)
Founded in 27 BC. Octavian Augustus it existed for 1500 years! And it was eventually overthrown by the Turks under the leadership of Mehmed II, who destroyed Constantinople in 1453. For 117 AD. heyday came great empire. At this time she was the most powerful on earth, although not the largest in history. The population was 56.8 million people, the territory under its rule was 2,750,000 km². The influence on modern Western culture, language, literature, and science is difficult to assess because it is incredibly large.
