European Empires

Throughout the development of European history, empires rose and fell due to pressures surrounding power and prestige. Empires widened their boundaries for the benefit of gaining more religious follows, money, or political influence. Those three aspects of territorial expansion led to the diffusion of information, techniques, and power. Also, they all led to the globalization of European views and political practices. The spread of European ideals through globalization caused for other countries to reproduce European religion, politics, and societal practices. As the cycle of empires began to develop, religion became the main focus for each kingdom. In Mesopotamia, the religion was polytheistic, meaning there were multiple Gods to worship,

Social inequalities constantly remained prevalent throughout all of the rises and collapses of the Western Kingdoms. Slaves usually held the lowest level of the social ladder because they were either prisoners of war, racially different, or being punished for committing a crime. The lower and slave classes of society were not taught how to read nor were they able to achieve much greatness because their elite counter parts were gaining all of the successes. Power enabled wealth and control, which the lower class did not have an opportunity to get (Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt). As Empires began to grow, peasant revolts became customary. The revolts usually revolved around the issues of better treatment of the peasants and serfs, more freedom, and more movement throughout the strict social system (Renaissance, April 12). The social distinction between the elites and the poor people usually provided regulations which were meant to be followed. Lower class citizens and slaves were the scapegoats of each empire and bolstered the stigma of needing separation, due to their disgusting living

As the groups of people began to grow, the need to know more occurred, thus spurring the creation of religion. Religion, in the beginning, maintained a polytheistic outlook on life. Polytheism religions had multiple Gods and had spiritual aspects intertwined with the beliefs of the people. Religion gave people answers for their questions and emphasized the creation of the earth and humans. Once civilization became more technologically advanced, religion morphed from its polytheistic roots to a monotheistic style. People now devoted themselves to one God or one Deity. With differing religious views rising, the increase of tension amongst nations accompanied. Wars would erupt to spread their religiosity and faith to the next nations, thus emphasizing the Europeanization and globalization of the western world. Another aspect of Europeanization are the political structures of the empires. Once people abandoned their nomadic life, gender roles became prevalent and significant for each society. Women did not have as much responsibility as the men, contradicting the rise of male roles. Men took on more responsibility and control, which spread into the varying kingdoms throughout the region. The rapid growth of empires led to the creation of laws and regulations and governmental structures which would serve the King. This type of governmental style was mirrored from Egypt