Module 1 dynasties and dynastic states
KC dynasties
Dynasties:
- Asia: Chingissid
- Europe: Habsburgs
From about 8000 before era, people found out ways to manipulate the landscape according
to their wishes which lead to agriculture. Society went from a nomadic to a sedentary living.
1. People farmed themselves
2. Social differentiation occurred as a result of specialization
3. Positions became different
4. Rulers were formed and these positions were passed on within families
5. Dynastic leaders got titles of king, emperor these people were standing above
society, seen as between heaven and earth. They functioned as safeguarding
harmony
6. Became more complex because more groups were created within society which lead
to conflicts
7. Leaders restored order and harmony, rulers had a mediating role and sacred
qualities, rulers were the son of heaven
Dynasties used as label to structure time by historians (bit invented by historians)
Succession:
The defining element of any dynasty is that there was something (position of power, status,
etc.) to be passed on to the next generation.
System:
1. Primogeniture: eldest son inherits all
2. Partible inheritance: family possessions were split amongst sons
3. Seniority succession: eldest surviving brother takes over
4. Lateral succession: successor is elected (based on achievements) way to try to
prevent civil war
Elective monarchy: Holy Roman Empire, Great Kahn dynasty is elected (by a limited group
of people). This avoids succession trouble, since succession can be contested.
Paternal/maternal linkages: when there is no male
successor, female relative takes over
- Charles II died without male successor, this
made female linkages important. This sparked
the great war of Spanish succession, dynasties
tried to claim the Spanish inheritance.
Sometimes succession did not happen, because the
dynasty was conquered by another. For example, in
China, the dynastic cycle
,Goal: to bring harmony to both universe and society
Requires attention to ceremonies, rituals and properties
Shang had not maintained the balance between God and earth, there was harvest failure
and corruption as well. Mandate of heaven was passed on to a new dynasty to restore
harmony.
History of repeating itself, rise of dynasty top of their success failure replacement
In the 13th century the Mongols captured China, they became the rulers of China Huan
dynasty conquered by integrating (same as the Mancus), this was the last imperial dynasty of
China
Large parts of Europe have been ruled by the Roman empire, this fell apart in the west which
splintered into successor states.
1. One of them is Frankia (now mostly France)
2. Carolingian family took over Frankia, they had very successful military leaders
3. Charlemagne was the most famous (Karel de Grote)
4. Charlemagne claimed supreme authority over all Christian people in the West
5. He united parts that had previously been divided
6. Charles died
7. Empire was divided between his three suns in the treaty of Verdun
a. France
b. Germany
c. Lothringia
8. Not a clear structure in the empire
Officially there was always an election, but the Habsburgs monopolized the Roman Empire
Fredrik III last officially crowned by the pope.
In practice the power was often very difficult, there was power sharing, around the king
there was a court. Important family members who wanted to have influence were in this
court.
- In some states there was large governmental bureaucracy
- The best people were selected as officials to rule over the empire
- Nobles were very important
Dynasty exists both as
- An idea (dynastic concept as portrayed in genealogies, funerary architecture)
- A set of social practices (successions, elections, participation in rule)
Dynasty should be thought of as a ‘group effort’, never about the solidarity ruler’s actions
"The Golden Horde, the Spanish Habsburg Monarchy, and the Construction of Ruling
Dynasties"
About: compares the construction of ruling dynasties in two different historical and
geographical contexts
, - The Golden Horde
- Spanish Habsburg monarchy
both used a combination of political and military power to establish and maintain their
authority, but they did so in distinct ways
1. Golden Horde:
- Mongol state that ruled over the Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the 13 th and 14th
centuries.
- Relied heavily on a system of tribute and taxation to maintain power.
- Rulers were able to extract resources from their population by threatening military
force, but also maintained a degree of autonomy for local rulers and elites.
- Allowed the Golden Horde to maintain power for several centuries, despite facing
military challenges from neighboring states.
2. Spanish Habsburg monarchy
- Emerged in the 16th century as a powerful, centralized state that dominated much of
Europe and the Americas
- Habsburgs emphasized the importance of royal marriage alliances and the creation of
centralized institutions to maintain their power.
- Through strategic marriages and alliances, the Habsburgs were able to establish
relationships with other European dynasties and expand their political influence.
- Created centralized institutions such as the Council of State and the Royal council to
help them govern their vast territories
Both:
- Used a combination of pen and sword to construct their ruling dynasties they
relied on both political and military power to establish their authority.
- Faced similar challenges in terms of maintaining power over diverse and often restive
populations
The study of ruling dynasties can provide valuable insights into the consideration and
maintenance of political power across time and space.
Reflective questions
1. What is meant by the Pax Mongolica
- Period of relative peace and stability in the Mongol empire in the 13 th and 14th
century
- Vast network of trade and commerce that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas,
and technologies between different regions of the empire world more
interconnected
- Encouraged the spread of religious and cultural tolerance.
- Mongols generally allowed their subjects to worship and practice their own customs
freely.
2. Role of women in the Chinggisid dynasty and its succession policies
- Women could exercise significant influence through their marriage and through their
involvement in court politics and the management of family affairs.
KC dynasties
Dynasties:
- Asia: Chingissid
- Europe: Habsburgs
From about 8000 before era, people found out ways to manipulate the landscape according
to their wishes which lead to agriculture. Society went from a nomadic to a sedentary living.
1. People farmed themselves
2. Social differentiation occurred as a result of specialization
3. Positions became different
4. Rulers were formed and these positions were passed on within families
5. Dynastic leaders got titles of king, emperor these people were standing above
society, seen as between heaven and earth. They functioned as safeguarding
harmony
6. Became more complex because more groups were created within society which lead
to conflicts
7. Leaders restored order and harmony, rulers had a mediating role and sacred
qualities, rulers were the son of heaven
Dynasties used as label to structure time by historians (bit invented by historians)
Succession:
The defining element of any dynasty is that there was something (position of power, status,
etc.) to be passed on to the next generation.
System:
1. Primogeniture: eldest son inherits all
2. Partible inheritance: family possessions were split amongst sons
3. Seniority succession: eldest surviving brother takes over
4. Lateral succession: successor is elected (based on achievements) way to try to
prevent civil war
Elective monarchy: Holy Roman Empire, Great Kahn dynasty is elected (by a limited group
of people). This avoids succession trouble, since succession can be contested.
Paternal/maternal linkages: when there is no male
successor, female relative takes over
- Charles II died without male successor, this
made female linkages important. This sparked
the great war of Spanish succession, dynasties
tried to claim the Spanish inheritance.
Sometimes succession did not happen, because the
dynasty was conquered by another. For example, in
China, the dynastic cycle
,Goal: to bring harmony to both universe and society
Requires attention to ceremonies, rituals and properties
Shang had not maintained the balance between God and earth, there was harvest failure
and corruption as well. Mandate of heaven was passed on to a new dynasty to restore
harmony.
History of repeating itself, rise of dynasty top of their success failure replacement
In the 13th century the Mongols captured China, they became the rulers of China Huan
dynasty conquered by integrating (same as the Mancus), this was the last imperial dynasty of
China
Large parts of Europe have been ruled by the Roman empire, this fell apart in the west which
splintered into successor states.
1. One of them is Frankia (now mostly France)
2. Carolingian family took over Frankia, they had very successful military leaders
3. Charlemagne was the most famous (Karel de Grote)
4. Charlemagne claimed supreme authority over all Christian people in the West
5. He united parts that had previously been divided
6. Charles died
7. Empire was divided between his three suns in the treaty of Verdun
a. France
b. Germany
c. Lothringia
8. Not a clear structure in the empire
Officially there was always an election, but the Habsburgs monopolized the Roman Empire
Fredrik III last officially crowned by the pope.
In practice the power was often very difficult, there was power sharing, around the king
there was a court. Important family members who wanted to have influence were in this
court.
- In some states there was large governmental bureaucracy
- The best people were selected as officials to rule over the empire
- Nobles were very important
Dynasty exists both as
- An idea (dynastic concept as portrayed in genealogies, funerary architecture)
- A set of social practices (successions, elections, participation in rule)
Dynasty should be thought of as a ‘group effort’, never about the solidarity ruler’s actions
"The Golden Horde, the Spanish Habsburg Monarchy, and the Construction of Ruling
Dynasties"
About: compares the construction of ruling dynasties in two different historical and
geographical contexts
, - The Golden Horde
- Spanish Habsburg monarchy
both used a combination of political and military power to establish and maintain their
authority, but they did so in distinct ways
1. Golden Horde:
- Mongol state that ruled over the Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the 13 th and 14th
centuries.
- Relied heavily on a system of tribute and taxation to maintain power.
- Rulers were able to extract resources from their population by threatening military
force, but also maintained a degree of autonomy for local rulers and elites.
- Allowed the Golden Horde to maintain power for several centuries, despite facing
military challenges from neighboring states.
2. Spanish Habsburg monarchy
- Emerged in the 16th century as a powerful, centralized state that dominated much of
Europe and the Americas
- Habsburgs emphasized the importance of royal marriage alliances and the creation of
centralized institutions to maintain their power.
- Through strategic marriages and alliances, the Habsburgs were able to establish
relationships with other European dynasties and expand their political influence.
- Created centralized institutions such as the Council of State and the Royal council to
help them govern their vast territories
Both:
- Used a combination of pen and sword to construct their ruling dynasties they
relied on both political and military power to establish their authority.
- Faced similar challenges in terms of maintaining power over diverse and often restive
populations
The study of ruling dynasties can provide valuable insights into the consideration and
maintenance of political power across time and space.
Reflective questions
1. What is meant by the Pax Mongolica
- Period of relative peace and stability in the Mongol empire in the 13 th and 14th
century
- Vast network of trade and commerce that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas,
and technologies between different regions of the empire world more
interconnected
- Encouraged the spread of religious and cultural tolerance.
- Mongols generally allowed their subjects to worship and practice their own customs
freely.
2. Role of women in the Chinggisid dynasty and its succession policies
- Women could exercise significant influence through their marriage and through their
involvement in court politics and the management of family affairs.
