Top 5 Biggest Empires In History

The age of imperialism and colonialism was considered the darkest era of all as many intrusions occurred that involves the biggest powers in the world at the time. Most of the civilizations back then were oppressed by force and their lands were taken away from them.

The most powerful nations during their glory days were seen to be in a race to conquer strategic locations such as hubs and trading routes to enhance their economic activities and ultimately ruled the whole world.

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In the past history, many empires have sprouted but some of them will also fall to demise. It is the reality of what has happened to these great empires. Here we would like to share with your the top 5 biggest empires in history

5. Ching Dynasty

Founded in 1636. the Ching or Qing Dynasty was the final dynasty of the Chinese emperors that ruled until 1912, before the establishment of the Republic of China at the time. Despite all of that, it cannot be denied that this dynasty was founded by the Machu people, descendants of the Jurchen that came from the Manchuria region.

It all started with the rebellion led by the Manchu named Nurhaci who managed to unite 8 Chinese ethnic mainly the Hans, Manchu, and Mongols to work together to topple the Ming Dynasty.

His son, Hong Taiji continued Nurhaci's legacy and successfully united all their regions into one and became the first emperor of the Ching Dynasty. After the weakening of the rule started, many rebellions started to occur in the 20th century known as the Xinhai Revolution.

Puyi emperor who was the final emperor of the Chinese dynasty resigned his position on 12th February 1912. At its peak, the Ching Dynasty managed to control 9.02% of the world's map during the era of 1790 to 1820.

4. Spanish Empire

Classified as the first world empire to conquer on a global scale, the Spanish empire was mostly influenced by the movement of Christian teachings all over the world to the extent that it was also known as the Catholic Monarchy.

The event which was said to be the start of this empire was the marriage of Ferdinand Aragon with Isabella of Castille which united two extensive monarchies in Spain. This made it easier for them to control several regions in Iberia until they managed to reclaim back the land owned by the Muslims in Spain.

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In southeast Asia, the Spanish empire left many big signs in the Philippines and Brunei society after the countries were conquered to control other big powers of the world who wished to reign power all over southeast Asia.

The Manilla city was once under Muslim rule and later changed into a Christian city and was set as the center of operation for the Spanish empire. This empire once control almost 10.17% of the world's map in 1810.

3. Russian Empire

Slightly different than the Spanish empire that spread its power globally, the Russian empire which showed up in the 18th century conquered most of Eurasia as well as some parts of North America.

This empire comprised 3 main phases starting from the rule under the House of Romanov in 1613 before the rule changed into a pure monarchy in 1721 until 1906. The final phase started after the Russian empire system changed to a constitutional monarchy in 1906 until the end of the empire in 1917.

However, the Russian Empire was officially established in 1721 after the first emperor of this empire, Peter I announced the start of his empire after the end of the northern war whereby the government of Sweden was forced to bow down to the pressure of Russia and handed several strategic locations of their ocean routes.

During their glory days around 1895, the Russian Empire conquered almost 16.92% of the world's map before the fall of this empire started by losing out in a war against the Japanese empire.

After losing out badly in the first World War, the Russian Empire at the time under the rule of Nicholas II was disbanded and he agreed to resign his position following the pressure of the revolution that occurred in February 1917.

Nicholas II became the final king of Russia before he was assassinated on 17 July 1918.

2. Mongol Empire

One of the most well-known empires in the history of mankind, the Mongol empire managed to control a huge region under its rule despite its timeline being rather short. Under the rule of Genghis Khan, the Mongols that were split up at the time were reunited before expanding their influence for not more than 100 years conquering almost 17.81% of the world's map.

Known previously as Temujin before becoming an emperor, Genghis Khan faced many critical challenges in an attempt to unite the Mongols before all the conflicts were solved with the swords, and Temujin rise to the throne with the name Genghis Khan in 1206.

At the same time, the Mongol empire started to spread its influence into the center of Asia as its main priority. At the moment of the death of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire conquered a territory size much bigger than the Roman empire.

The glorious era of the Mongol empire was during Kublai Khan's rule as they managed to gain control of the whole of China to the extent that they started the Yuan Dynasty there. Following the commotion and internal problems, all the regions under the Mongols were split up after the death of Genghis Khan.

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Many issues start to arise with the fall of Toghun Timur Khan that ruled China. His whole army surrendered to the Ming Dynasty which replaced the Mongol empire in 1387.

1. British Empire

The empire that left the worst effect on the whole world, the British empire was responsible for the damages that has been done due to their greed in conquering the world. In its glory days, the British Empire gained control of 26.35% of the world's map and it all happened precisely in the 20th century in 1921.

The event which was said to be the point of its fall was the crisis that involved the Suez Canal which was still under British control in 1951. Following the influence of the President of Egypt at the time, Gamal Abdel Nasser who wish to regain control of the canal, the British, France, and Israel were working together to topple the Egyptian government.

However, international pressure arises from the United States of America and the Soviet Union which state their support for the Egyptian government, forcing the three countries to withdraw.

There were even threats of economic sanction from the US if they still wished to proceed, causing the British to finally agree because the two countries are one of the world's biggest empires.

After the prime minister of Britain, Anthony Eden was dismissed, the next predecessor Harold Macmillan starts to let go of the countries under their colonist rule. The crisis clearly showed that Britain was no longer the biggest power in the world after every action that they take requires the approval of the new world power, the United States of America.

In 20 years' time after being shamed by America and the Soviets, Britain starts to recall their army back to the United Kingdom in 1971. The British empire was believed to have ended after they agreed to give back Hong Kong to the Chinese government ending their 156-year colonial rule in that region on 1 July 1997.

This also marks the end of the empire age in this modern era.

Source:

• Iluminasi

Also read: Top 7 Differences Between British And American Cultures