Empires have been built throughout history. Apart from those that are built on the basis of religion, what would be the real reasons for their expansion?

1.Would it more of material greed or more of noble visions of the leaders? For example to achieve unity amongst nations, to provide prosperity for humanity, etc?
2.To enhance the expansion, the conquerers have to enlist the conquered people as part of their army. How would they be sure of the loyalty of the soldiers?
3.In the particular case of the ransack of Baghdad, the Mongols basically destroyed the city and its people. What much benefits would be a destroyed city to the Mongols? Also the actions would bring much hatred and enmity amongst the survivors. Would it not be much better to only attack the vital parts of the city?

1. Most likely, material greed. Conquerors are almost never generous!

2. Conquerors cannot be confident of the "loyalty" of the conquered ... witness Alexander the Great's empire and the Roman empire.

3. Did the Mongols care about what happened to the cities and people they conquered? It sounds as if you need to read about a few of the best known conquerors.

http://www.google.com/search?q=genghis+khan&oq=genghis+&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l5.5719j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/#q=alexander+the+great

https://www.google.com/#q=julius+caesar

1. The reasons for empires expanding can vary depending on the time period, culture, and specific leaders involved. While material greed has certainly been a motivating factor for some empires, noble visions of leaders can also influence expansion. Some leaders may have sought to achieve unity amongst nations, provide prosperity for humanity, spread their own culture or ideology, or establish dominance over strategic regions for security or economic reasons. It is important to recognize that motivations for expansion can be complex, with a combination of both self-interest and ideological factors.

To understand the real reasons for expansion, one can research primary historical sources, such as accounts written by the leaders themselves or other contemporary documents. Secondary sources, such as academic books or articles written by historians, can offer analysis and interpretations based on research and evidence. By examining multiple perspectives and considering the broader historical context, one can gain a better understanding of the motivations behind empire building.

2. Ensuring the loyalty of conquered people as soldiers was indeed a crucial aspect of maintaining and expanding empires. Conquerors often employed various strategies to secure loyalty:

a. Assimilation: Some empires, like the Romans, encouraged assimilation by offering conquered peoples citizenship, economic opportunities, and cultural integration. By offering such incentives, the conquerors aimed to create a sense of belonging and loyalty among the conquered population.

b. Co-optation: Conquerors might also enlist local elites or leaders into positions of power or authority within the empire. By incorporating local leadership, the conquerors hoped to gain their cooperation and utilize their influence to maintain control over the conquered territories.

c. Brutal enforcement: In some cases, conquerors used brutal tactics to suppress dissent and ensure compliance. This could include punitive actions, executions, or enslavement as a means of instilling fear and discouraging rebellion.

3. The ransack of Baghdad by the Mongols in 1258 resulted in the destruction of the city and a vast loss of life. While it may seem counterintuitive for the Mongols to destroy a city they had just conquered, their actions were driven by several motivations:

a. Symbolic power: The Mongols wanted to send a message to other potential adversaries by committing a devastating act against a prominent city. The destruction of Baghdad, a cultural and intellectual center in the Islamic world, demonstrated the Mongols' military might and intended to instill fear in their enemies.

b. Economic plunder: Despite the destruction, the Mongols still gained significant wealth by looting the city. Baghdad was renowned for its wealth, libraries, and treasures, which the Mongols seized for their own benefit.

c. Demoralization and demoralization: By destroying the city and spreading terror, the Mongols aimed to weaken the surviving population and deter any future resistance. This tactic sought to break the will of the conquered people and prevent them from organizing themselves effectively.

It is important to note that the actions of the Mongols in Baghdad did indeed generate intense hatred and enmity among the survivors and other Muslim powers. However, from the Mongols' perspective, the psychological impact and short-term gains they achieved by sacking the city outweighed the long-term consequences in terms of maintaining control and stability.