New Empires

Emperor Jahangir, Mughal Emperor

In this topic, you looked at some of the histories and characteristics of some non-European empires and countries during the Age of Discovery. The Ottoman Empire, originally located in Asia Minor, expanded significantly into Southwest Asia, Southeastern Europe along the Balkan Peninsula, and into North Africa. After it conquered Constantinople, which was part of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottomans renamed the city Istanbul and made it their capital. As the Ottomans brought more territory under their rule, they followed a relatively tolerant form of Islam that accepted other religions. This helped unify the empire. The two main products that the empire traded with other regions were coffee and ceramics.

Descendants of the Mongols, the Muslim Mughal rulers established an empire in Northern India. These rulers helped spread Islam throughout India and promoted art and architecture. The Taj Mahal is one of the finest examples of architecture from this time period. The Mughal Empire traded with European nations that established trading outposts along the coast. The empire was known for producing beautiful textiles, which were in high demand from Great Britain for their growing industries. Much of southern India remained independent and continued to trade silks, spices, and gems with the outside world. Portugal, England, and The Netherlands competed for Indian Ocean trade by establishing coastal ports on the Indian sub-continent.

Not every country was welcoming to foreign trade. China tried to control trade with Europe by creating foreign enclaves. Chinese imperial policy sought to control foreign influence and trade, even though there was a high demand in Europe for Chinese goods like tea and porcelain. Japan restricted foreign influence even more. Characterized by a powerless emperor controlled by a military leader, a shogun, Japan adopted a policy of isolationism to limit foreign influences.