Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which belief systems affected at least two land-based states in Asia or Europe differently in this period.

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Networks of exchange often helped to transport goods and cultures around the world as well as religious belief. These religions had huge impacts on an empire's growth as most supported or had a main religion in which they would try to spread. Though there are many empires as well as states within them that were heavily religious, there are a few main ones that can represent how belief systems affected their growth. These representations can be found as the Ottoman Empire and the Roman-to-French Empire.

The Ottoman Empire was very prosperous during the period circa 1300 and in the following centuries, though it reached its height under Suleiman the Magnificent, who reigned in the period 1520-1566. Religion was very important in the Ottoman Empire and it had a great influence on the various activities during its rule. Economy and Education were two of the many things that religion had an influence on and impacted. It was inspired and sustained by Islam and Islamic institutions. This use of  religious belief, specifcally Islam, changed the social classes and their order of heiarchy. Religion allowed for a very strong social structure and eventually a type of bureaucracy system in which state-officials could have control over the people while simultaneously sharing the same faith and trust in their God. A few specific states that helped to the contribution of the Islamic belief was Syria and parts of Arabia, these places were well known, especially on the Silk Road, for its devotion and knowledge of Islam. Those who were within the Ottoman Empire were devoted and dedicated to their belief, so much so that when the empire conquered territories the surrounding villages were required a specific quota of boys to be sent as tribute to the military to be warriors. The boys were generally taken from the Balkan provinces or encompassing states, converted to Islam, and then passed through a series of examinations to determine their intelligence and capabilities. By the end of the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire relied heavily on the expansion and conversion of Islam that included much of the territory where Islam was practiced.

Just as the Ottoman Empire was widely based on religion, so was the Roman Empire. Trade routes, specifically the Indian Ocean routes, and Missionaries are some of the factors that lead to spread of many religions, most of which were Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Between 1200 and 1450, regional kingdoms of France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire became solidified. In the beginning, each power was tied to the Catholic Church and feudal. Although, eventually the protestant reforms marked a break in Christian traditions and eventually led to its growth. The predominantly Christian Europe, particularly the Roman Empire, saw the spread of Islam up the Iberian peninsula as a threat. As a counteractant, the empire heavily enforced Christain as its belief system as well as into its whole social structure, as the church was mainly the ruler of the empire. Although some states, like England and France eventually broke off from the empire, they still carried the Roman Empire’s structure and religion which helped it grow for a while. As for France in their religious justifications and beliefs, they used the Divine Right of Kings which helped to solidify the absolute monarchs of these states, these monarchs were rulers who had specific laws that stayed within that conformed to Christain ideals but also gave them control and power over their subjects. Christains were devoted as well but very strict when it came to their laws, so these conforming rules helped to keep the people in line with the monarchs.

While the Ottoman, Roman, and then France Empires beliefs systems were mostly different, their policies were similar as they all conformed to a religious structure. As well as control of education and activities based on their religion and what they thought was true or holy unto their Gods. The use of religion helped to create strong community bonds, reinforce social stratification, and allow rulers to justify their reign.