The Conrad Demarest Model Using a representative model to teach comparative empires.

The Conrad Demarest The Conrad Demarest ModelModel

Using a representative model Using a representative model to teach comparative to teach comparative

empires.empires.

BackgroundBackground

►Geoffrey ConradGeoffrey Conrad►Arthur DemarestArthur Demarest►Latin-Americanists inspired by the Inca Latin-Americanists inspired by the Inca

and Aztec empiresand Aztec empires►Model Can be applied to all empires and Model Can be applied to all empires and

used to compare and contrast empires or used to compare and contrast empires or to trace changes and continuity over to trace changes and continuity over time.time.

►Gives a scaffold for kidsGives a scaffold for kids

The ModelThe Model

►Preconditions which MUST exist but do Preconditions which MUST exist but do not necessarily lead to empire not necessarily lead to empire building.building. Adequate resourcesAdequate resources Environmental mosaicEnvironmental mosaic Some form of government which Some form of government which

coalesces powercoalesces power Power vacuumPower vacuum Large military potential Large military potential

The Model, ContThe Model, Cont

►Many places, including the Greek Poleis Many places, including the Greek Poleis met the pre-conditions mentioned, met the pre-conditions mentioned, what causes an empire to “start?”what causes an empire to “start?”

► Ideology! Religious, philosophical, Ideology! Religious, philosophical, anything that will help coalesce the anything that will help coalesce the masses behind the idea of expansion.masses behind the idea of expansion.

► Ideology must endorse and justify Ideology must endorse and justify warfare and expansion.warfare and expansion.

It’s all about the Booty…It’s all about the Booty…

► Ideology is great, but what does Ideology is great, but what does empirical expansion get you?empirical expansion get you?

►Wealth from plunder, from trade, from Wealth from plunder, from trade, from availability and control of new availability and control of new resources, and from coercive tribute.resources, and from coercive tribute.

►Most often enjoyed by the wealthy, but Most often enjoyed by the wealthy, but also distributed to the masses. This also distributed to the masses. This “trickle-down” economic benefit “trickle-down” economic benefit serves to cement social hierarchies.serves to cement social hierarchies.

Booty Con’tBooty Con’t

►Expansion also allows you to increase Expansion also allows you to increase populationpopulation More food and land availableMore food and land available Less disease initially as the population Less disease initially as the population

density goes down, and food availability goes density goes down, and food availability goes up.up.

►State-sponsored population increase.State-sponsored population increase. More populated areas tend to be more More populated areas tend to be more

powerful than less-populated ones.powerful than less-populated ones. Native population supported by outlying Native population supported by outlying

areasareas

Size leads to troubleSize leads to trouble

►The bigger the empire, the more costly The bigger the empire, the more costly the expansionthe expansion

►Empires that stop expanding and do Empires that stop expanding and do not change their ideology tend to not change their ideology tend to begin collapsingbegin collapsing

►Collapse tends to begin at the edges Collapse tends to begin at the edges and creep towards the center.and creep towards the center.

►Empires are inherently unstable!Empires are inherently unstable!

A demonstrationA demonstration

►The Mongol Empire rose from the The Mongol Empire rose from the Steppes of AsiaSteppes of Asia

►Preconditions present:Preconditions present: Land, no dominant state, competing tribal Land, no dominant state, competing tribal

and clan identities, military might in the and clan identities, military might in the horsemanship of the nomads horsemanship of the nomads

United by Chengis Khan after a Tribal United by Chengis Khan after a Tribal Confederation meeting.Confederation meeting.

Applying the ModelApplying the Model

►Assyrian, Helenic,Romans, Han, GuptaAssyrian, Helenic,Romans, Han, Gupta► Islamic CaliphatesIslamic Caliphates►Transatlantic European EmpiresTransatlantic European Empires►Ottoman, Mughal, SafavidsOttoman, Mughal, Safavids►Global empire (British empire)Global empire (British empire)►Russian expansion eastward US Russian expansion eastward US

expansion westwardexpansion westward►Aztec and IncaAztec and Inca

Applying the Model- an Applying the Model- an exampleexample

►Qin China had all the necessary Qin China had all the necessary preconditions- good agriculture, preconditions- good agriculture, environmental mosaic, power vacuum environmental mosaic, power vacuum that resulted from warring states period, that resulted from warring states period,

► Ideology? LegalismIdeology? Legalism►Booty- ever-normal granary system, Booty- ever-normal granary system,

public works projects, gifts, etc.public works projects, gifts, etc.►Empire grew under Han times to huge sizeEmpire grew under Han times to huge size

Survival of the Han EmpireSurvival of the Han Empire

► Ideological change! Confucianism…Ideological change! Confucianism…►RitualRitual►HierarchyHierarchy►Filial PietyFilial Piety►Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven►Public works projectsPublic works projects

Eventual FallEventual Fall

►Gap between rich and poor increasesGap between rich and poor increases► Taxation and famine forces increasing #’s of Taxation and famine forces increasing #’s of

peasants off the landpeasants off the land► Disease sets in (plague)Disease sets in (plague)► From Peasant point of view, hierarchy no From Peasant point of view, hierarchy no

longer meeting their needslonger meeting their needs► Exam system ends- always a bad sign!Exam system ends- always a bad sign!► Invasion of the nomads and peasant Invasion of the nomads and peasant

rebellion.rebellion.

Now, how about another Now, how about another one?one?

►Compare the Spanish Empire in 1450-Compare the Spanish Empire in 1450-1800 to the Ottoman or Russian 1800 to the Ottoman or Russian empires of the same time period.empires of the same time period.

Questions?Questions?

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