Top 10 Biggest Empires Ever:
The Top 10 Biggest Empires Ever:
The Ten Largest and most successful empires ever
Empire and conquest has happened throughout history perpetrated by every group and continent in the world, with varying success. Lets explore what the 10 biggest empires ever were
Number 1: The British Empire spanning a massive 35.5 million square Kilometres at its peak occupying over a qartue of the world. Great Britain used Is naval might and economic expertise, to create a perpetual circle of expansion. Britains greatest achievement in Empire which differentiated from it others, was its ability to mobilise its colonies economies and manpower for its own benefit. Its systematic reinvestments in its colonies economies created a wealth creating loop.
Number 2: The Mongol Empire spanning a massive 24 million square kilometres, this massive empire controlled areas of Eastern Europe all the way to China, making it the largest continental empire ever, and Birthed the infamous Gengis Kahn. The Mongals rose to the top through a unique way of war which involved lighting warfare using horses, adaptability using foreign equipment and a system of officers based on meritocracy. Despite their ferocious reputation Mongals adopted a high level of tolerance for their occupied areas cultural and religious practices.
Number 3: The Russian Empire spanning 22.8 million square kilometres was one of the most diverse, resource rich and formidable empires in the world. Spanning from Artic tundras to the pacific, a truly gigantic empire. One of the most ethnically culturally and religiously diverse states ever. A fun fact being they sold Alaska off to the Americans for just 140 million today dollars.
Number 4: The Qing Dynasty spanning 4.7 million kilometres encompassing modern China, Mongolia, Tibet and Central Asian territories. The Qing Dynastys flexible policy on its multiculturalism and its decision to ally with the Mongals along with its advanced training of its military splitting into elite sections, allowed it to vastly expand at rates not previously seen.
Number 5: The Spanish empire, spanning 13.7 million kilometres this multi continental empire was the first of its kind, the Spanish used their superior ship and weapons technology to discover and conquer the Americas first. Using small highly armed gunboats to defeat much larger indigenous forces, they then used this ship technology to extract large amounts of wealth which was reinvested into its navy and military.
Number 6: The French Colonial empire spanned a massive 11.1 million square kilometres covering parts of Africa, South east Asia and the Americas. The French empire unlike others was set on cultural assimilation and conquest, which proved to be very brutal. It utilised its strong navy and diplomacy with local leaders to attempt to Europeanise its territories, by the early 1900s the French foreign legion was a powerful force in putting down revolt.
Number 7: The Abbasid Caliphate spanning a massive 11.1 million square kilometres. This is the largest islamic empire ever, which contributed largely to modern day theology and mathematics in specific with the invention of algebra amongst other things. Interestingly this empire promoted religious tolerance of any of those who believed in the "book" Allowing non muslims to hold administrative positions. This empire also did not rinse countries of resources through plunder instead they applied universal taxes.
Number 8: The Umayyad Caliphate spanned a similar 11 million square kilometres at its peak, through their military and ideological drivers they completed the fastest empire expansion in history. Interestingly the Empire even managed to conquer most of Spanish territory.
Number 9: Yuan Dynasty spanning a similar 11 million square kilometres. This empire pioneered paper currency systems backed by silver, it also attempted extremely ambitious invasion attempts of Japan.
Number 10: Portuguese Empire(1820s) conquered a massive 10.4 million square kilometres. It was the first major European empire and dominated the spice trade.
