How does the development of maritime empires compare with the development of land-based empire in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries?

Question

A. The maritime empires did not have to rely on locals for help in the Indian Ocean
B. The maritime empires found themselves bankrupt due to the necessary investment infrastructure
C. Land-based empires were heavily supported by private individuals investment in infrastructure
D. The maritime empires focused on control of trade routes in the Indian Ocean rather than the control of people and land

Answer 1

The best comparison regarding the development of maritime empires versus land-based empires in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries would be:

D. The maritime empires focused on control of trade routes in the Indian Ocean rather than the control of people and land.

Maritime empires, like those established by Portugal and Spain, were primarily concerned with establishing trade routes and controlling naval passages to facilitate commerce. Their focus was on securing advantageous trading positions and resources, often through establishing coastal outposts and alliances with local rulers, rather than extensive territorial control inland.

In contrast, land-based empires, such as the Ottoman Empire and the Mughal Empire, emphasized territorial expansion and governance over large swathes of land and populations. Their strategies often involved military conquest and administrative control over the territories they conquered.

The other options may contain elements of truth but do not encapsulate the primary distinctions as effectively as option D.