Tribute Systems by Governments (1450-1750)
During the period from 1450 to 1750, various governments implemented tribute systems in order to maintain control over conquered regions and extract resources from them. Tribute systems were a form of taxation that involved the payment of goods, services, or money to a ruling power. These tribute systems were used by both European colonial powers and Asian empires, and they had significant economic and political implications.
1. Ming Dynasty Tribute System: The Ming Dynasty in China established a tribute system to regulate relations with neighboring states. Under this system, countries that wanted to establish diplomatic ties with China had to send tribute missions to the emperor, acknowledging China's superiority. The tribute missions involved the offering of valuable gifts and trade exchanges. This system ensured China's dominance in East Asia and allowed the empire to establish a hierarchical relationship with neighboring states.
2. Ottoman Empire Tribute System: The Ottoman Empire adopted a tribute system known as the "devshirme." This system required Christian provinces in the empire to provide young boys to be trained as soldiers and administrators for the empire. The tribute of these boys, known as the Janissaries, ensured the continuous expansion and maintenance of the empire. The success of this tribute system led to the rise of the Ottoman Empire as a major power in the Mediterranean region.
3. Aztec Tribute System: The Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica implemented a tribute system to subdue conquered territories. Each conquered region was required to pay tribute in the form of goods and services, such as precious metals, food, textiles, and labor. This tribute system allowed the Aztecs to accumulate vast wealth and resources, contributing to the empire's political and economic stability.
4. European Colonial Tribute Systems: European colonial powers, such as Spain and Portugal, established tribute systems in their colonies to exploit resources and establish control over indigenous populations. The conquistadors and colonizers demanded tribute from native populations in the form of labor, crops, and precious metals. These tribute systems were often brutal and exploitative, leading to the impoverishment and enslavement of indigenous peoples in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
5. Mughal Empire Tribute System: The Mughal Empire in India implemented a tribute system to exert control over its vast territories. The emperor required the payment of tribute from the various regions in the empire, including cash, crops, and military assistance. This system helped the Mughals maintain political stability and control over diverse regions and ethnicities within their empire.
Overall, tribute systems during the period from 1450 to 1750 were common strategies used by governments to maintain control over conquered territories and extract resources. These systems had significant economic and political effects, contributing to the rise and fall of empires and shaping the relationships between ruling powers and subject regions.