The world around 1600

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The world around 1600

• Dr. Ashley Eva Millar
• Department of Historical Studies
• University of Cape Town

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Outline

• Snapshot of the world in 1500
• Polycentric world
• Globalised world
• 1. Chinas Ming Dynasty
• 2. Songhai Empire (West Africa)
• 3. Mughal Dynasty (India)
• 4. European societies

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www.worldmapper.org
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Polycentric world
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Globalised world
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1. Ming Dynasty (China)1368-1644
-Sinocentric?
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Relatively high standard of living
Advanced, commercial economy
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Meritocracy
Advanced public works
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Zheng He (b. 1371- d. 1433)Voyages 1405 - 1433
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2. Songhai Empire (West Africa)1340-1591
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Sonni Ali the Great (reigned 1464-1493)
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Askia Muhammad the Great (reigned 1493-1528)
Timbuktu
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3. Mughal Empire (India)1526-1858
Akbar (reigned 1556-1605)
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Taj Mahal (built 1632-1653)Shah Jehan I (r.
1627-1658)
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4. European societies
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Feudalism (c. 9th 15th centuries)
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The Black Death
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Peaked 1348 - 1350
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The Renaissance (c. 14th -17th centuries)
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Conclusion

• World around 1600 was polycentric (many centers
  of trade, culture, political power)
• Early modern world was not stagnant but extremely
  dynamic
• In many ways it was also globalised (trade,
  disease, ideas, religions all travelling)