group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom

Empires need expansive trading routes, monopolies, a good economy and relations with other empires.

A state encompassing a large territory that has previously autonomous groups with diverse peoples and one dominant group.

Large territory with single person (emperor) claiming sovereignty. Large and diverse populations lead to indirect leadership through intermediaries.

Millet system created semi-autonomous states within the empire and gave the people the right to set up their own communities, schools, govern themselves and have religious freedom, a system that made governing much easier, but more importantly, the kept religious groups feeling independent, and which ensured loyalty to the empire and lessened the possibilities of uprisings.

The Devshirme system forced conquered Christian groups to surrender their sons to become state slaves who were educated in language, math calligraphy, Islamic studies and weaponry, who became relatively wealthy guards, scribes, gatekeepers or Janissaries.--helped the Ottomans maintain power by forcing Christian boys, who might otherwise grow into a generation that challenges the empire, into submission to prevent these sources of uprising. The Devshirme also created a group of people entirely loyal to the Emperor, helping with his governments organization, internal protection and also an army for expansion.

The Janissaries were a military group used to defend the Emperor and the centre cities of the empire. They providing impeccable protection, and empire expansion.
--On the other hand though, the Janissaries grew to be so powerful that they often led coups and executions when they didn’t get what they wanted, such as a pay raise. In this way, the Janissaries could weaken the Ottoman empire but starting unrest and sparking resilience toward the government.

The Fratricide was a law that allowed the heirs to the throne to be killed to ensure that only one sultan would prevail and have no challenge to the throne by any siblings.--This strengthened the Sultan’s overarching power because it eliminated any possibility for uprisings within the family to overthrow a Sultan. It meant unlimited power for the Sultan in question and ensured his safety and position as the ruler.

Helped maintain power: isolationism= blocking out foreign religions, goods, and subsequently ideas of rebellion that could spark from transcontinental influences,(authoritarian).

Didn't like trade= their economy didn’t depend on trading or capitalizing on the global trade market =very self sustaining. This self reliance and isolationism might have been a pro if war or a global recession had happened.

HIERARCHY = everyone in their place = balanced society where everyone has their role (as horrible as that sounds). Probably effective in keeping the general public more or less content in their way of life so that there is no want for more, and therefore no reason to try to overthrow the government

SAMURAI = keep the peace between the people and make sure that everyone, merchants, farmers, artisans and the like, was doing their duty to the empire and contributing their skills for the greater good. Kept the people under control and in their place so as to not cause disruption in the flow of the economy.