How Did Spain Display Political Power

Art and architecture was used as a way to display political power all over the world. Spain's artistic expression and architectural style shifted from Early Gothic to Late Gothic as dramatic changes occurred within its politics. Many of the recent achievements in political power including Ferdinand and Isabella’s newfound positions, the conquering of Granada, and Columbus’ exploration of the new world, were expressed with the building of the Church of San Juan de los Reyes. Spain became even more powerful and successful as they defeated the Ottoman navy and took control of the Americas. This political power was displayed with Philip II's newly constructed palace, San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Both these major architectural structures, the church

The use of religious ideas by rulers to legitimize their rule was incredibly common during the time period. There were many kings who would punish people for their disobedience with execution by burning, by decapitation, or by hanging. These extreme actions taken by rulers were justified with religion and the theory of the Divine Rights of Kings. This theory claimed that people from all social classes were obligated to follow the rules of their government because of religion. God was believed to have given his power to the king, so he was superior above all and could not be disobeyed or resisted. Other governments had similar stances on religion and power. In the Safavid empire, the ruler declared that the single religion to be practiced within the state was Shi’ism (a segment of Islam). This religion justified the ruler’s decisions to persecute all Sunni Muslims or any other religion or different views. In the Aztec empire, human sacrifice was practiced. This practice can also be attributed to religion. Since the aztecs believed that their god of the sun needed nourishment as human blood; therefore, they power of the Aztec empire implemented human sacrifice for the sake of their

The way in which all states treated different ethnic and religious groups was meant to utilize their economic contributions while limiting their ability to challenge the state’s authority. One example could be the Millet system which was established by the Ottoman empire. Since the population of this empire increased in non-Muslims, new measures were taken in ensuring a functional empire. This new system entailed that people were divided into “millets,” or nations, depending on their religion. All Christians would be in one millet while all Jews were in another. In each one, the people were able to elect their own religious leaders; as a result, rules were specific to the religion and so was punishment for the disobedience of these rules. The millet system was effective in creating religious harmony so that the population still contributed to the economy but they were still easily controlled by the state. Another prime example of authority and economic prosperity is the treatment of the Chinese under the Manchus. The Manchus supported trade with Europe for economical benefits; however, this trade was strictly monitored. Other officials of the emperor, known as banners, were placed throughout all the kingdom and worked to maintain order and keep out invaders. In attempts to both raise the positions of the authority and gain money for the empire, peasants and other people were forced to pay taxes to the civic