Acquiring the Mystery of the Empire 4
The Mongols dominated the "surface",
Byzantium maintained the "points",
and the Ottomans seized the "lines (borders)."
After this era, several countries in Europe emerged as empires.
I will describe that process,
focusing on the early 16th century to the mid-18th century.
① Starting point: The limits of inland networks (late 15th century to early 16th century)
First, as a premise,
* Due to the expansion of the Mongol Empire,
👉 The "land connectivity" of Eurasia was maximized.
However, afterwards,
* The fragmentation of the Mongols,
* The re-fragmentation after Timur,
* The fall of Constantinople
resulted in
👉 The land Silk Road becoming a "line with high political risk."
What happens here?
👉 Europe gives up on "seizing the lines" and shifts toward "creating alternative routes."
⸻
② Discovery of the "new connection" called the sea (late 15th century to 16th century)
Here, the following appear:
* Portugal
* Spain
Important events:
* Vasco da Gama reaching the Indian sea route
* Columbus reaching the New World
This is decisive.
👉 The axis of connection changes from "land (lines)" to "sea (surface)."
In terms of this model:
* Ottoman = "Domination of lines"
* Europe = "Maritime network (fusion of surface + lines)"
In other words,
👉 Connectivity has undergone "dimensional expansion."
⸻
③ 16th century: The first maritime empires (Spain and Portugal)
Structure:
* Secure bases (ports) as points
* Connect them with lines via shipping routes
* The entire sea functions as a surface
👉 Hybrid domination of points + lines + surfaces
In particular,
* Spain
connected
* The American continent (silver)
* The Philippines (Asian connection)
👉 Realizing a global-scale connection network for the first time
However, the problem:
👉 Density (home country population/systems) is still weak
→ High maintenance costs, unstable in the long term
⸻
④ 17th century: High-density nations enter (Netherlands and England)
Here, the flow changes.
Arrival of:
* The Netherlands
* The Kingdom of England
Their strengths are clear:
✔ High density (C-band)
* Urbanization
* Commercial capital
* Financial systems
✔ Optimization of connection
* Navigation technology
* Insurance and joint-stock companies
Symbolized by:
* Dutch East India Company
* British East India Company
👉 State + Company = Connection device
This is revolutionary.
⸻
⑤ Evolution of structure
Mongols
👉 Surface (low density, high mobility)
Byzantium
👉 Points (high density, cities)
Ottomans
👉 Lines (borders, trade routes)
⸻
European maritime empires
👉 Simultaneously control surface (sea) + lines (routes) + points (ports)
In other words,
👉 Three-dimensional domination model
⸻
⑥ Mid-18th century: Convergence of hegemony
Ultimately, the one that survives is
👉 England
Turning point:
* Seven Years' War
Here,
* Victory over France
* Acquisition of hegemony in India and North America
👉 Confirmation of hegemony over global connections
⸻
⑦ Summary of essence
If we extend the models so far as they are:
Until the Middle Ages
👉 Civilization strength = Density × Land connection
⸻
Early modern period (Europe)
👉 Civilization strength = Density × Maritime connection (network)
⸻
Furthermore:
👉 The quality of connection has changed
👉 The Ottomans "tightened the lines"
→ Europe "invalidated the lines and wrapped them with the sea"
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