The Russian Empire is at the peak of its greatness. Great and powerful empires of the world
The highest flowering - 1918
The British Empire (English British Empire) - the largest ever existing state in the history of mankind with colonies on all inhabited continents. The empire reached its largest area in the mid-30s of the XX century, then the lands of the United Kingdom extended over 34,650,407 km² (including 8 million km² of uninhabited land), which is about 22% of the earth's land. The total population of the empire was approximately 480 million people (approximately 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 commerce.
2. Mongol Empire (38.0 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1270-1368.
The Mongol Empire (Mongolian Mongolian ezent geren; middle Mong. ᠮᠣᠨᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ, Yeke Mongγol ulus - Great Mongol state, Mongolian Mongol ulus) is a state that emerged in the XIII century as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors and included the very the largest adjacent territory in world history from the Danube to the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan and from Novgorod to Southeast Asia (an area of \u200b\u200bapprox. 38,000,000 square kilometers). Karakorum became the capital of the state.
During its heyday, it included vast territories of Central Asia, South 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 Jochi Ulus (Golden Horde), the Hulaguid state and the Chagatai ulus. Great Khan Khubilai, who (1271) accepted the title of Emperor Yuan and moved the capital to Khanbalik, claimed supremacy over all uluses. By the beginning of the XIV 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 XIV century, the Mongol Empire ceased to exist.
3. Russian Empire (22.8 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1866
The Russian Empire (Russian pre-reph. The Russian Empire; also the All-Russian Empire, the Russian state or Russia) is a state that existed from October 22 (2) November 1721 until the February Revolution and the proclamation of the republic in 1917 by the Provisional Government.
The empire was proclaimed on October 22 (2) November 1721 following the results of the Northern War, when, at the request of the senators, the 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 that ever existed (after the British and Mongolian empires) - it stretched 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 was 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.
The 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 by 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 \u200b\u200b1,717,854 km².
The regional reform of Peter I for the first time divides Russia into provinces, streamlining management, 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, endowed with judicial and administrative powers.
The provincial reform of Catherine II divides the empire into 50 provinces, divided into counties (about 500 in total). State and judicial chambers, other state and social institutions have been created to help the governors. The governors were subordinate to the Senate. At the head of the county there is a police captain (elected by the county noble assembly).
By 1914, the empire was divided into 78 provinces, 21 regions and 2 independent districts, where 931 cities are located. Russia includes the following territories of modern states: all CIS countries (excluding the Kaliningrad region and the southern part of the Sakhalin region of the Russian Federation; Ivano-Frankovsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi regions of Ukraine); eastern and central Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Lithuania (excluding the Memel region), several Turkish and Chinese regions. Some of the provinces and regions were united into the general governorship (Kiev, Caucasian, Siberian, Turkestan, East Siberian, Amur, Moscow). The Bukhara and Khiva khanates were official vassals, the Uryankhai region is under 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. The distribution of the population by territories was as follows: European Russia - 94,244.1 thousand people, Poland - 9456.1 thousand people, the Caucasus - 9354.8 thousand people, Siberia - 5784.5 thousand people, Average Asia - 7747.1 thousand people, Finland - 2555.5 thousand people.
4. Soviet Union (22.4 million km²)
The highest flowering - 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, part of Central and Eastern Asia. The USSR occupied almost 1/6 of the Earth's inhabited land area; at the time of the collapse, it was the largest country in the world by area. It was 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 1977 Constitution, the USSR was proclaimed as 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, the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR and the Transcaucasian SFSR into one state association with a uniform government, the capital in Moscow, executive and judicial authorities, legislative and legal systems. In 1941, the USSR entered World War II, and after it, along with the United States, was a superpower. The Soviet Union dominated the world socialist system and was also a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The collapse of the USSR was characterized by a sharp confrontation between representatives of the central union government and the newly elected local authorities (Supreme Soviets, 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 citizens who voted spoke 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 establishment 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 the 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)
The highest flowering - 1790
The Spanish Empire (Spanish Imperio Español) is a set 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 the 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 African possessions) the end of the 20th century. The Spanish territories united in the late 1480s with a union of Catholic kings: King of Aragon and 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 carried out the first Spanish exploration expedition westward across the Atlantic Ocean, discovering the New World for Europeans and creating the first overseas colonies of Spain there. From that moment 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 states as the empires of the Aztecs and Incas on the mainland, respectively, of the Americas, taking advantage of the contradictions between local peoples and applying higher military technologies. Subsequent expeditions expanded the empire's borders from present-day Canada to the southern tip of South America, including the Falkland Islands or the Malvinas Islands. In 1519, the First Round the World Journey began, which began by Fernand Magellan in 1519 and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano in 1522, with the aim of achieving what Columbus had failed, namely the western route to Asia, and as a result included the Far East in Spain's sphere of influence. ... Colonies were established in Guam, the Philippines and nearby islands. During its Siglo de Oro, the Spanish Empire included the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, a significant part of Italy, lands in Germany and France, colonies in Africa, Asia and Oceania, as well as large territories in the Americas. In the 17th century, Spain controlled an empire of this magnitude, and its parts were so far removed from each other, which no one could have 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 Spanish Succession in 1713, but Spain retained its overseas territories. In 1741, an important victory over Great Britain at Cartagena (present-day Colombia) extended Spanish hegemony in America into the 19th century. In the late 18th century, Spanish expeditions in the northwestern Pacific 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 the colonies of Spain became cut off from the metropolis, and the subsequent movement for independence in 1810-1825 led to the creation of a number of new independent Spanish-American republics in South and Central America. Remnants of the Spanish, 400-year-old empire, including Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Spanish East Indies, remained under Spanish control until the late 19th century, when most of these territories were annexed by the United States following 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 left the Spanish Sahara in 1976, this colony was immediately annexed by Morocco and Mauritania, and then in 1980 completely by Morocco, although technically, by a UN decision, this territory remains under control of the Spanish administration. Today, Spain has only the Canary Islands and two enclaves on the North African coast, Ceuta and Melilla, administratively part of Spain.
6. Qing Dynasty (14.7 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1790
The Great Qing State (Daicing gurun.svg daqing gurun, Chinese trad. 大 清 國, pall .: Da Qing Guo) is 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 Aisin Gioro in the territory of Manchuria, now called northeastern China. Less than 30 years later, all of China, part of Mongolia and part of Central Asia were under her rule.
Initially, the dynasty was called "Jin" (金 - gold), in traditional Chinese historiography "Hou Jin" (後 金 - Late Jin), after the Jin empire - the former state of the Jurchen, 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 growth in population was observed in China. The Qing court pursued a policy of self-isolation, which eventually led to the fact that in the 19th century. China, which was part of the Qing empire, was forcibly opened by the Western powers.
Subsequent cooperation with the Western powers allowed the dynasty to avoid collapse during the Taiping uprising, to carry out a relatively successful modernization, etc. existed until the beginning of the 20th century, but it also served as the reason for the growing nationalist (anti-Manchurian) sentiments.
As a result of the Xinhai Revolution, which began in 1911, the Qing Empire was destroyed, the Republic of China was proclaimed - the national state of the Han people. Empress Dowager Longyu abdicated the throne on behalf of the then-young last emperor, Pu Yi, on February 12, 1912.
7. Russian kingdom (14.5 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1721
The Russian kingdom or in the Byzantine version the Russian kingdom is a Russian state that existed between 1547 and 1721. The name "Russian kingdom" was the official name of Russia in this historical period. Also the official name was rꙋсїѧ
In 1547 the sovereign of all Russia and the great prince of Moscow Ivan IV the Terrible was crowned tsar and took the full title: Vyattsky, Bulgarian and others ", later, with the expansion of the borders of the Russian state, the title was added" Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Siberia "," and the ruler of all Northern countries. "
By title, the Russian kingdom was preceded by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and the Russian Empire became its successor. In historiography, there is also a tradition of periodization of Russian history, according to which it is customary to speak of the emergence of a single and independent centralized Russian state during the reign of Ivan III the Great. The idea of \u200b\u200buniting the Russian lands (including those that ended up in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland after the Mongol invasion) and restoring the Old Russian state was traced throughout the entire existence of the Russian state and was inherited by the Russian Empire.
8. Yuan Dynasty (14.0 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1310
Empire (in the Chinese tradition - dynasty) Yuan (Their Yuan ul.PNG Mong. Their Yuan Uls, Great Yuan State, Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus.PNG Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus; Chinese exercise 元朝, pinyin: Yuáncháo; Vietn. Nhà Nguyên (Nguyên triều), House (Dynasty) of Nguyen) is a Mongol state, the main part of which was China (1271-1368). Founded by the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Khan Kublai, who completed the conquest of China in 1279. The dynasty fell as a result of the Red Armbands revolt in 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)
The highest flowering - 720-750 years.
The Umayyads (Arabic: الأمويون) or Banu Umayyah (Arabic: بنو أمية) are a dynasty of caliphs founded by Muawiyah in 661. The Umayyads of the Sufyanid and Marwanid branches ruled in the Damascus Caliphate until the middle of the 8th 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 (the Kordov Caliphate). The ancestor of the dynasty was Omayya ibn Abdshams, the son of Abdshams ibn Abdmanaf and a cousin of Abdulmuttalib. Abdshams and Hashim were twin brothers.
10. Second French colonial empire (13.0 million km²)
The highest flowering - 1938
Evolution of the French Colonial Empire (year indicated in the upper left corner):
The French colonial empire (FR. L'Empire colonial français) - 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 policy was significantly different from that of Britain. 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 the French-speaking countries (Francophonie).
Incredible facts
Throughout the history of mankind, we have seen how empires are born and disappear into oblivion, over decades, centuries and even millennia. If it is true that history repeats itself, then perhaps we can extract the mistakes and better understand the accomplishments of the world's most important long-lived empires.
Empire is a tricky word to define. Although this term is often thrown around, it is nevertheless often used in the wrong context and distorts 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 political decisions of a smaller unit.
The term "hegemony" is often used along with empire, but there are significant differences, as well as the obvious differences between the concepts of "leader" and "bully". Hegemony works as an agreed set of international rules, while the empire produces and enforces those very rules. Hegemony represents the dominant influence of one group over other groups, but requires the consent of the majority in order for this leadership group to remain in power.
Which empires have lasted the longest in history, and what can we learn from them? Below we look at these kingdoms of the past, 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 fleets the world has ever seen. A less well-known fact is that it did not “leave” the face of the earth until 1999. The kingdom lasted 584 years. It was the first global empire in history, operating on four continents, and it began in 1415 when the Portuguese captured the Muslim city of North Africa Cueta (Cueta). The expansion continued as they moved into Africa, India, Asia, and America.
After World War II, decolonization efforts intensified in many areas, with the result that many European countries "pulled out" of their colonies around the world. This was not the case with Portugal until 1999, when it finally abandoned Macau in China, signaling the "end" of the empire.
The Portuguese empire was able to expand so much because of its excellent weapons, naval superiority, and the ability to quickly build ports for the trade in sugar, slaves and gold. She also had enough strength to conquer new peoples and gain land. But, as with most empires throughout history, conquered areas ultimately sought to reclaim their lands.
The Portuguese empire collapsed for several reasons, including international pressure and economic tensions.
9. Ottoman Empire
At the height of its power, the Ottoman Empire was located on three continents, covering 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 in the early 1900s that followed immediately after World War I, as well as the Arab uprising, were the signal for the beginning of the end. At the end of World War I, the Treaty of Sevres divided most of the Ottoman Empire. The last 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 downfall of the Ottoman Empire. Every 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 its existence in 802 AD, when Jayavarman II was proclaimed king of the region, which now belongs to the territory of 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 was also obtained from the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan, who traveled to Angkor in 1296 and published a book about his experiences. Almost all the time the empire existed, it tried to seize more and more territories. Angkor was the main home of the nobility during the second period of the empire. When the Khmer power began to weaken for control over Angkor, neighboring civilizations began to fight.
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 weak 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 history of the Ethiopian Empire, we know surprisingly little about it. Ethiopia and Liberia were the only African countries that were able to withstand the European "battle for Africa". The long existence of the empire began in 1270, when the Solomonid dynasty overthrew the Zagwe dynasty, claiming that they owned the rights to this land, as King Solomon bequeathed. Since then, the dynasty subsequently turned into an empire, by uniting new civilizations under its rule.
All this continued until 1895, when Italy declared war on the empire, and then the problems began. In 1935, Benito Mussolini ordered his soldiers to invade Ethiopia, and as a result the war raged there for seven months, with the result that Italy was declared the winner of this war. From 1936 to 1941, Italians ruled the country.
The Ethiopian empire did not greatly expand its borders and did not exhaust its resources, as we saw in the 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, nevertheless, was the desire of Italy 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 we got from a text document discovered in 1851 called Girgam. Over time, Islam became their main religion, however, it is believed that the introduction of religion could have caused internal strife in the early years of the empire. The Kanem Empire was established around 700 and lasted until 1376. It was located on the territory of present-day Chad, Libya and part of Nigeria.
According to the document found, the Zaghawa people founded their capital in the city of N "jimi in 700. 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 holy war, or jihad, on all surrounding tribes.
The military system, designed to facilitate jihad, was based on the state principles of hereditary nobility, in which the soldiers received part of the lands they conquered, while the lands were listed for them for many years, even their sons could dispose of them. This system led to the outbreak of a civil war that weakened the empire and made it vulnerable to attack from external enemies. The invaders of Bulala were able to quickly seize power over the capital and, finally, in 1376, take over the rule of the empire.
The lesson of the Kanem empire shows how bad decisions provoke internal conflict, as a result of which once powerful people are left defenseless. This development of events is repeated throughout history.
5. Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was seen as a revival of the Western Roman Empire and was considered a political counterweight to the Roman Catholic Church. Its name, however, comes from the fact that the emperor was chosen by the voters, but he was crowned by the pope in Rome. The empire lasted from 962 to 1806 and occupied a fairly extensive territory, which is now Central Europe, primarily, this is a large part of Germany.
The empire began its existence when Otto I was proclaimed king of Germany, however, he later became known as the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The empire consisted of 300 different territories, however, after a thirty-year 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 Franz II to abdicate, after which the empire was renamed the Confederation of the Rhine. Like the Ottoman and Portuguese empires, the Holy Roman Empire consisted 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 early days of the Silla Empire, however, by the sixth century it was a very complex society based on ancestry, in which ancestry decided everything from the clothes that one or another person can wear to the work activities that he is allowed to engage in. ... Although this system initially helped the empire gain a large amount of land, it ultimately led to its decline.
The Silla Empire began in 57 BC. and occupied the territory that is currently owned by North and South Korea. Kin Park Hyeokgeose was the first ruler of the empire. During his reign, the empire expanded steadily, conquering more and more kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. In the end, a monarchy was formed. The Chinese Tang Dynasty and the Silla Empire were at war in the seventh century, however, the dynasty was defeated.
The age of civil war among high-ranking families, as well as among the defeated kingdoms, made the empire doomed. Eventually, in 935 AD, the empire ceased to exist and became part of the new state of Kore, which was at war in the 7th century. Historians are not aware of 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 lesser kingdoms struck to gain sovereignty.
3. Republic of Venice
The pride of the Venetian Republic was its massive navy, which allowed it to quickly prove its power across Europe and the Mediterranean by conquering such important historic cities as Cyprus and Crete. The Venetian Republic lasted for an amazing 1100 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 Venetian Republic, feuding, among others, with the Turks and the Ottoman Empire.
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 took over Venice.
The Venetian Republic is a classic example of how an empire that stretches over great distances fails to defend its capital. Unlike other empires, it was not civil wars that killed it, but wars with its neighbors. The highly regarded Venetian navy, once invincible, stretched too far and failed to defend its own empire.
2. Empire Kush
The Kush Empire lasted from about 1070 BC. until 350 A.D. and occupied the territory that is currently owned by the Republic of Sudan. Throughout its long history, very little information has survived about the political structure in the region, however, there is evidence of monarchies in the last years of their existence. However, the Kush Empire ruled over several of the region's smaller countries, while maintaining 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 other scholars believe that over-dependence on iron led to deforestation, causing people to "disperse."
Other empires fell because they used their own people or neighboring countries, however, deforestation theory suggests that the Kush empire fell from destroying its own lands. Both the rise and fall of the empire turned out to be fatally associated 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 empire that has lasted the longest. It went through several eras, but, in fact, lasted from 27 BC. until 1453 A.D. - a total of 1480 years. The republics that preceded it were destroyed by civil wars, and Julius Caesar became dictator. The empire expanded into what is now Italy and most of the Mediterranean region. The empire was powerful, but the 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 alleviating the stress of capturing a large number of territories. Thus, the foundations were laid for the possibility of the existence of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
The Western Roman Empire was dissolved in 476 when German forces revolted 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 were part of the Byzantine Empire, but also allowed the short-lived Serbian Empire to rule over parts of the Byzantine Empire for a short period of time. Social upheaval and plague contributed to the further weakening of the kingdom. Coupled with growing empire unrest, plague and social unrest, it eventually fell when the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453.
Despite the strategy of co-ruler Diocletian, which undoubtedly significantly increased the "lifespan" of the Roman Empire, it suffered the same fate as other empires, whose massive expansion eventually provoked various ethnic groups to fight for sovereignty.
These empires lasted the longest in history, but each of them had its own weaknesses, even if it was the use of land or people, none of the empires was able to contain social unrest caused by class conflicts, unemployment or lack of resources.
It is in history that answers to many questions of our time can be found. Do you know about the largest empire that has ever existed on the planet? TravelAsk will talk about two world giants of the past.
Largest empire by area
The British Empire is the largest state that ever existed in the history of mankind. Of course, here we are talking not only about the continent, but also about colonies on all inhabited continents. Just think: it was even less than a hundred years ago. At different times, the area of \u200b\u200bBritain was different, but the maximum is 42.75 million square meters. km (of which 8.1 million sq. km is the territory in Antarctica). This is two and a half times more than today's territory of Russia. This is 22% of the land. The greatest heyday of the British Empire came in 1918.
The total population of Britain at its peak was about 480 million (about one fourth of humanity). That is why the English language is so common. This is a direct legacy of the British Empire.
How the state was born
The British Empire grew over a long period of approximately 200 years. The twentieth century was the culmination of its growth: at this time, the state possessed various territories on all continents. For this it is called an empire "over which the sun never sets."
And it all started quite peacefully in the 18th century: with trade and diplomacy, occasionally with colonial conquests.
The empire helped spread British technology, trade, English and its form of government throughout the world. Of course, the basis of power was the navy, which was used everywhere. He ensured freedom of navigation, fought against slavery and piracy (slavery was abolished in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century). This made the world a safer place. It turns out, instead of seeking power over vast inland territories for the sake of possession of resources, the empire relied on trade and control over strategically important points. It was this strategy that made the British Empire the most powerful.
The British Empire was very diverse, comprising territories on all continents, creating a great diversity of cultures. The state included a very heterogeneous population, which gave it the ability to govern different regions either directly or through local rulers, an excellent skill for government. Think about it: British rule extended to India, Egypt, Canada, New Zealand and many other countries.
When the decolonization of the United Kingdom began, the British tried to introduce parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in the former colonies, but they did not succeed everywhere. The influence of Great Britain on its former territories is noticeable even today: most of the colonies decided that the Commonwealth of Nations was replacing the Empire with it psychologically. All former dominions and colonies of the state are members of the Commonwealth. Today it includes 17 countries, including the Bahamas and others. That is, they in fact recognize the monarch of Great Britain as their monarch, but in place of his power is represented by the governor-general. But it should be said that the title of monarch does not imply any political power over the Commonwealth Kingdoms.
Mongol Empire
The second in area (but not in power) is the Mongol Empire. It was formed as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan. Its area is 38 million square meters. km: this is slightly less than the area of \u200b\u200bBritain (and if we consider that Britain owned 8 million square kilometers in Antarctica, then the figure looks even more impressive). The territory of the state stretched from the Danube to the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan and from Novgorod to Cambodia. It is the largest continental state in the history of mankind.
The state did not last long: from 1206 to 1368. But this empire greatly influenced the modern world: it is believed that 8% of the world's population are descendants of Genghis Khan. And this is quite likely: only the eldest son Temujin had 40 sons.
During its heyday, the Mongol Empire included vast territories of Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China and Tibet. It was the largest land empire in the world.
Its rise is amazing: a group of Mongolian tribes, not exceeding a million people in number, managed to conquer empires that were literally hundreds of times larger. How did they achieve this? Well-thought-out tactics of action, high mobility, the use of technical and other achievements of the captured peoples, as well as the correct organization of the rear and supply.
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But here, of course, there could be no question of any diplomacy. The Mongols completely massacred cities that did not want to obey them. More than one city was wiped out from the face of the earth. Moreover, Temujin and his descendants destroyed the great and ancient states: the state of the Khorezmshahs, the Chinese Empire, the Baghdad Caliphate, Volga Bulgaria. Modern historians say that about 50% of the total population died in the occupied territories. So, the population of the Chinese dynasties was 120 million people, after the Mongol invasion it decreased to 60 million.
Consequences of the invasions of the great khan
By 1206, the commander Temujin united all the Mongol tribes and was proclaimed a great khan over all the tribes, receiving the title "Genghis Khan". He conquered northern China, devastated Central Asia, conquered all of Central Asia and Iran, devastating this entire region.
The descendants of Genghis Khan ruled an empire that seized most of Eurasia, including almost the entire Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, China and Russia. Despite all the power, the real threat to the domination of the Mongol Empire was the enmity between its rulers. The empire split into four khanates. The largest fragments of Great Mongolia were the Yuan Empire, the Jochi Ulus (Golden Horde), the Hulaguid state and the Chagatai ulus. They, in turn, also failed or were subdued. In the last quarter of the XIV century, the Mongol Empire ceased to exist.
However, despite such a short supremacy, the Mongol Empire influenced the unification of many regions. So, for example, the eastern and western parts of Russia and the western regions of China remain united to this day, albeit in other forms of government. Russia also gained strength: during the Tatar-Mongol yoke, Moscow was granted the status of a tax collector for the Mongols. That is, the Russian residents collected tribute and taxes for the Mongols, while the Mongols themselves were extremely rare in the Russian lands. In the end, the Russian people received military power, which allowed Ivan III to overthrow the Mongols under the leadership of the Moscow principality.
10
- Area: 13 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 720 - 750 BC
A feudal state that existed from 661 to 750. The ruling dynasty is the Umayyads. The capital was in Damascus. The head of state is the caliph. In his hands was concentrated spiritual and secular power, which was inherited. The Umayyad Caliphate continued the aggressive policy of the Righteous Caliphate and conquered North Africa, part of the Iberian Peninsula, Central Asia, Sindh, Tabaristan and Djurdjan.
9
- Area: 13 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 557 BC
One of the largest ancient states in Asia in the history of mankind, created by the Turkic tribes led by rulers from the Ashina clan. During the period of its greatest expansion (end of the 6th century), it controlled the territories of China (Manchuria), Mongolia, Altai, East Turkestan, West Turkestan (Central Asia), Kazakhstan and the North Caucasus. In addition, Sassanid Iran, the Chinese states of Northern Zhou, Northern Qi were tributaries of the Kaganate since 576, and from the same year the Türkic Kaganate seized the North Caucasus and Crimea from Byzantium.
8
- Area: 14 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1310 BC
Mongolian state, the main part of which was China (1271-1368). Founded by the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Khan Kublai, who completed the conquest of China in 1279. The dynasty fell as a result of the Red Bands uprising 1351-1368.
7
- Area: 14.5 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1721 g.
The official name of the Russian state in the period from 1547 to 1721. The predecessor of the Russian kingdom was Udelnaya Rus, as well as the Moscow principality. In 1547, Prince Ivan IV (the Terrible) was crowned the first Russian tsar. He dissolved all inheritances and declared himself the only king. Thus, the Russian kingdom received centralized control and hope for stability in the country.
6
- Area: 14.7 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1790 g.
Was the last imperial dynasty of China. She ruled the country from 1644 to 1912 with a brief restoration in 1917 (the last one lasted only 11 days). The Qing era was preceded by the Ming dynasty and followed by the Republic of China. The multicultural Qing Empire lasted for nearly three centuries and formed the territorial base for the modern Chinese state. Qing China reached its largest size in the 18th century, when it extended its rule to 18 traditional provinces, as well as territories of modern Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, Outer Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet.
5
- Area: 20 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1790 g.
A set 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 the great geographical discoveries, during which it became one of the first colonial empires. The Spanish Empire existed from the 15th century to the end of the 20th century.
4
- Area: 22.4 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1945 - 1991
The state that existed from 1922 to 1991 on the territory of Eastern Europe, Northern, part of Central and Eastern Asia. The USSR occupied almost 1/6 of the Earth's inhabited land area; at the time of the collapse, it was the largest country in the world by area. It was formed on the territory that by 1917 was occupied by the Russian Empire without Finland, part of the Polish kingdom and some other territories.
3
- Area: 23.7 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1866 g.
Was the largest continental monarchy that ever existed. According to the general census of 1897, the population was 129 million. During the February Revolution of 1917, the monarchy collapsed. During the Civil War of 1918-1921, a general collapse of statehood occurs, up to 80 short-lived states are formed on the territory of the former Russian Empire, by 1924 most of this territory is united in the USSR.
2
- Area: 38 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1265 - 1361
A state that emerged in the XIII century as a result of the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors and included the largest contiguous territory in world history from the Danube to the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan and from Novgorod to Southeast Asia. During its heyday, it included vast territories of Central Asia, South Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China and Tibet. In the second half of the XIII century, the empire began to disintegrate into uluses, headed by the Chingizids. The largest fragments of Great Mongolia were the Yuan Empire, the Jochi Ulus (Golden Horde), the Hulaguid state and the Chagatai ulus.
1
- Area: 42.75 million km 2
- Highest flowering: 1918 g.
The largest state that ever existed in the history of mankind with colonies on all inhabited continents. The total population of the empire was approximately 480 million people. The United Kingdom currently retains sovereignty over 14 territories outside the British Isles. In 2002, they were granted British Overseas Territories status. Some of these areas are uninhabited. The rest have varying degrees of self-government and depend on the UK for international affairs and defense.
Seizing power over the world is the dream of at least half of the villains from comics and superhero blockbusters. Some less bloodthirsty individuals (a controversial assertion, of course) take over new lands in the old-fashioned way: send dreamers or adventurers to scout, and then take territory from others. However, sometimes (okay, it's extremely rare here) the conquerors offer mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful coexistence. In the modern world, no one has taken the liberty of leading a new empire (underground and criminal lands do not count), but back in the middle of the twentieth century, no one thought that the Age of Empires had come to an end. Let's start in 500 BC and follow the milestones in the history of 25 of the most ambitious empires on our planet. For ease of understanding, the selected dates indicate the peak of the state's development. The superpowers of the 20th century were not included in the list because they did not call themselves "empires."
Achaemenid Empire - 500 BC
The Persians, so much disliked by the Spartans, did a lot of good
At number 18 on the charts of the largest empires, the Achaemenid Empire (or the Persian Empire at number one) is already impressive. At the zenith of power, in 550 BC, the Achaemenid territory reaches an area of \u200b\u200b3.5 million square kilometers. Under their rule were the lands of almost all modern states of the Middle East and part of modern Russia. No less surprising is the fact that under Cyrus the Great, architecture and culture developed rapidly in the empire, roads and post offices were built everywhere. Progress is commendable. And every self-respecting ruler did the same.
Empire of Alexander the Great - 323 BC
Great conquest of the great Alexander
Alexander the Great created a state that overthrew the Achaemenid Empire from the pedestal of power (hello to Sparta) and completed the construction of a powerful Hellenistic union, glorifying the ancient Greek civilization for centuries, along with Aristotle and mass orgies. At the zenith of power, the Macedonian Empire spreads over 3.5% of the land, making it the 21st largest in the history of mankind (the losing Persians still surpassed Alexander, but this did not help them much).
Mauryan Empire - 250 BC
Would you like imperialism in Indian style?
The death of Alexander the Great came as a complete surprise to his comrades-in-arms, mired in a squabble for pieces of the empire. At this time, distant lands were left to themselves, which did not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the local rulers: India and the nearest territories were captured by the Mauryan empire, which as a result became the most powerful state formation on the Indian subcontinent. Ruled by the wise and calculating Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Empire occupied about 3 million square kilometers and was the 23rd largest empire in the history of human development.
Hunnu - 209 BC
Potential ancestors of the Huns did not waste time in vain
During the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. China was divided into several small appanage principalities, constantly at war with each other. Of course, wars among sedentary peoples attracted steppe dwellers like kites. The nomadic Xiongnu tribes easily carried out raids on the provinces in the north, weakened by the feudal fragmentation. In the era of greatest power, the Hunnu empire occupied 6% of the land area and was the 10th greatest power in the annals of history. She was so invincible that it took the Han Dynasty decades of compromise and marriage agreements to keep the invaders in check.
Western Han Dynasty - 50 BC
the period that gave rise to the Chinese statehood
Speaking about the Han dynasty, one should not forget about its western part, which reached its peak of power a century after the eastern one. Of course, its territory is incomparable with the conquests of the Hunnu, but the area of \u200b\u200b3.8 million square kilometers with a population of 57 million people makes you feel respect and put the Western Han on the 17th line of the charts of empires. In their quest to expand their borders, the Han pushed the Huns to the north and captured the territories of modern Vietnam and Korea. Thanks to the diplomatic talent of the diplomat and traveler Zhang Qian, the contacts of the dynasty were expanded to Rome, and the Great Silk Road was also opened.
Eastern Han Dynasty - 100
The younger brother of the Han clan
The Eastern Han Dynasty has existed for nearly two centuries, going through riots, conspiracies, political crisis, and a volatile economy. Despite its seeming weakness, this empire was the 12th largest in history, surpassing its predecessor. The dynastic territories covered 4.2 million square kilometers (4.4% of the land area).
Roman Empire - 117
Ave Caesar and other imperial habits - it all came from Rome
Due to its wide popularity, the Roman Empire is considered almost the coolest in the world (thanks to American cinema and the chroniclers of the Caesars) - legions of soldiers, the Roman Senate, an almost modern standard of living and other wonders of the Dream Factory. By far, at the height of its power, Rome ruled over the most extensive and sophisticated political and social structure in Western civilization. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe lands subject to the senate and the emperor did not exceed 2.6 million square kilometers, placing the homeland of Gaius Julius Caesar only 24th in the list of the largest empires. One way or another, the modern world would not be itself if it were not for the ancient Roman state.
Turkic kaganate - 557
An empire that came from nowhere
The Turkic Kaganate occupied the territories where central and northern China is now located. The history of the emergence of the conquering tribe is unclear, but just like the Hunnu people 600 years before them, the nomads conquered the territory of Inner Asia, the Silk Road, and by 557 they owned about 4% of the land surface. This puts them in 15th place on the list of the largest empires.
One of the largest: Righteous Caliphate - 655
First Muslim state
The righteous caliphate became the first state formation in history based on adherence to religion. In this case, Islam. He was born less than half a century after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, in order to unite the scattered Muslim communities. Quite a little time separated the Caliphate from power over Egypt, Syria and the territory of the former Persian Empire. During its greatest power, the area of \u200b\u200bthis state was almost 4 million square kilometers, making it the 14th largest in the history of the human race.
Umayyad Caliphate - year 720
The splendor and grandeur of the Arab world
The Caliphate became one of the four largest state entities in the Arab world. He grew up during the civil war among Muslim sects in 661. In addition to control over the lands of the Middle East, the territories of North Africa and Southern Europe were in the hands of the Caliph. This power was home to 29% of the world's inhabitants (62 million people) and the area was 7.45% of the total planetary, making the Umayyad Caliphate the eighth largest empire in history.
Abbasid Caliphate - 750
Empire created by the descendants of the prophet
The age of power of the Umayyads was short-lived: the caliphate lasted 30 years, and then was captured by the Abbasids, who were led to the uprising by the descendants of the younger uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (as they themselves stated, of course). According to the Abbasids, their "purer" lineage gave them the right to rule over the faithful. After a successful coup in 750 AD, the Abbasid Caliphate existed for four centuries and acquired many alliances, including with China. Although this empire did not exceed the size of the Umayyad Caliphate, but under the control of the descendants of Muhammad was about 8 million square kilometers of land, which puts their possessions on the seventh step in the list of the greatest empires. However, the power and size did not help the state, which fell under the onslaught of the hordes of Genghis Khan's army in 1206.
Tibetan Empire - 800
Diplomacy is the main weapon of Tibet
At the time of its heyday, no more than 3% of the world's population lived on the territory of the Tibetan Empire. And this is that in the West gigantic Muslim states were born and died in full swing, and in the East the Tang dynasty ruled with might and main, consisting with the Arabs in a monolithic alliance. We can say that Tibet of that time was surrounded by a pack of predators who dreamed of grabbing a piece from it. And only thanks to diplomacy and good military training of soldiers, the Tibetan Empire lasted 200 years. Ironically, it was the growing influence of Buddhism and civil war that killed her, not external enemies.
Tang Dynasty - 820
The Dawn of Chinese Culture and Art
The Tang Dynasty became the first state entity in China to embrace cosmopolitanism and the exchange of cultural experience with other powers. The invention of the printing press, engravings, the flourishing of painting and literature belong to the period of the golden age of Tang. Two poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, considered some of the greatest in Chinese history, lived during the Tang Dynasty. This empire did not last long (in comparison with other dynasties in China) - only three centuries, from 618 to 907, but its contribution to world culture and art cannot be underestimated. The dynasty's territories accounted for 3.6% of the total terrestrial area.
Mongol Empire - 1270
One of the largest empires and families
Although the name of Genghis Khan is known to almost every inhabitant of the Earth, not everyone understands how huge his empire was. At its peak, the Mongol Empire covered an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 19 million square kilometers (for comparison, four Roman empires or three territories of the United States would have occupied the same amount). Therefore, it is not surprising that the state of Genghis Khan "took silver" in the rating of the largest powers in history.
Golden Horde - 1310
The main enemy of medieval Russia
Genghis Khan was far from being a fool and clearly understood that his power rests on the authority of the leader. To ensure stability and prosperity for the empire, he divided the dominated territories among his many children, thereby ensuring the law of succession and separation of powers. Thus, even separate parts of the khanate were powerful state formations. The brightest and most powerful "offshoot" of the Mongol Empire was the Golden Horde, which occupied 4.03% of the world's land.
Yuan Dynasty - 1310
An empire that sank into oblivion before reaching maturity
Thanks to the military talents of one of the many grandchildren of Genghis Khan, first the northern lands of China, and then the rest of its territory, were united under the rule of the Yuan dynasty. By 1310, the Yuan State had become the largest independent part of the Mongol Empire with an area of \u200b\u200b8.5 million square kilometers. To the shame of the descendants of the great conqueror, Yuan also became one of the list of short-lived empires: riots that flared up throughout the XIV century led to the overthrow of the authorities in 1368.
Ming dynasty - 1450
World's Largest Fleet - Clearly Proud
The Ming Dynasty, as you might expect, grew up on the ruins of a bygone empire - the Yuan Dynasty. Although squeezed from the north by the Mongols, Ming still owned 4.36% of the land area and ranked 13th in the list of the largest powers. This period also became famous for the construction of the largest Chinese (and world) fleet and the rapid development of maritime trade with almost the entire world.
Ottoman Empire - 1683
The Turkish state has always been stable (until now)
Istanbul at that time was still called Constantinople, becoming the capital of the Turkish (or Ottoman) Empire in spite of the entire Christian world. And although the area of \u200b\u200bthis power was not as large as its predecessors, the Ottoman Empire showed miracles of amazing "vitality." This power successfully developed, prospered and fought for more than six centuries, fighting off attacks from the West and the East from the 13th century until it fell during the First World War, giving way to the Turkish Republic in 1922.
Qing Dynasty - 1790
The last breaths of an empire before the red era
Qing, the last imperial dynasty of China, has left an impressive memory of itself: 10% of the planet's territory and almost 400 million inhabitants, including Thailand and Korea. The Qing dynasty held power for nearly four centuries until uprisings in February 1912 prompted the last emperor to relinquish the throne. It was these events that allowed the birth of the only country in the world that successfully applied the combination of socialist rule with a capitalist economy - the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Spanish Empire - 1810
Temporary queen of the seas
Spain, which for a long time remained in the shadow of the European powers, by the end of the 18th century possessed vast territories throughout the world. Thanks to a powerful fleet (for a long time the invincible Spanish Armada), Madrid controlled most of the Caribbean islands, almost all of South America, part of Central and North America, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and even Europe.
Portuguese Empire - 1820
European old man-long-lived among the maritime powers
The Portuguese colonial empire became the first state with a developed connection between the metropolis and the overseas provinces, but did not grow to the size of the Spanish Empire - it had "only" 3.69% of the land area at its disposal. At the same time, the Portuguese Empire became the longest-lived in Europe: for six centuries it claimed its rights to lands outside the territorial borders of the state and ceased to exist only on December 20, 1999.
Brazilian Empire - 1889
The gray horse among the world powers
Born as part of the Portuguese colonial empire, the Brazilian power began its journey in 1822 with its independence. The young state immediately attracted attention, which gave rise to military conflicts with Uruguay and Great Britain. Oddly enough, Brazil emerged victorious from both disputes, declaring itself to the whole world as a country with a progressive view of governance and foreign policy. By 1889, the Brazilian Empire occupied most of South America (7 million square kilometers).
Russian Empire - 1895
A land of vast territories and great victories
The Russian Empire became a colossal state that officially existed from 1721 to 1917. Born as an agricultural country with an ancient history and culture, by the 19th century Russia had become a powerful power, standing on a par with the most developed countries of that time, raising the population level from 15.5 to 171 million people (in 1895). Under the rule of the Russian emperor were not only the primordially Russian lands, but also Finland, the Baltic States, Poland, almost all of Asia. Russia received "bronze" and an honorable third place in the ranking of the largest empires in human history.
Second Empire (France) - 1920
Another attempt by the French to become the rulers of the planet
To compete with Spain, Britain, Portugal, the United Provinces, France had to go a long way in colonizing overseas lands. The first step towards this was the conquest of Algeria in 1830. By the 1920s, France owned lands in Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and the Middle East. 7.7% of the world's territory and 5% of the world's population were under the rule of the French.
British Empire - 1920
The greatest power of all times and peoples
This may be obvious, but this makes it no less surprising: the British Empire was the most powerful and largest empire in the entire time of human existence on planet Earth. The total area of \u200b\u200bland subject to the English crown was 26 million square kilometers (which is more than 30% more than the area of \u200b\u200bthe Mongol Empire). A quarter of the world's population was under British rule. The result of such a global expansion was the penetration of the English language and culture into all, even the most remote corners of the world.
Most people see the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China as the end of British imperialism. However, if you look at the world map with an open mind, Britain still controls much of the world, albeit in a more subtle way. And perhaps it was Foggy Albion that achieved world domination.
Of course, history knows other empires - the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations, the Knossos and Mycenaean cultures, the Etruscan empire. However, all of them, although they made an incredible contribution to culture, art, science and the development of mankind, did not stand out in size. About them, ancient civilizations, as a source of wisdom and progress, should be discussed separately.
