Reassessing History: Controversial Practices of Historical Empires

Throughout history, powerful empires have shaped the world we know today.

However, many of these empires achieved their dominance through deeply controversial practices that caused immense suffering for millions of people.

These actions, ranging from the exploitation of labor to violent genocides, not only influenced the course of history but also left a dark legacy that continues to resonate in modern times.

Controversial Practices of Historical Empires

Slavery and forced labor

One of the most heinous and widespread practices in many empires was the use of slavery and forced labor.

These practices provided empires with cheap labor that fueled their economies and allowed them to expand their power.

Transatlantic slave trade

The Transatlantic Slave Trade stands as one of the most horrific examples of slavery in history.

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, European empires such as Britain, Portugal, Spain, and France forcibly transported an estimated 12.5 million African people to the Americas.

This trade devastated entire communities in Africa and led to centuries of exploitation and systemic racism.

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Indentured servitude

While slavery in the Americas often dominates the conversation, indentured servitude was another widespread practice, especially in British colonies.

In this system, workers—often from Europe—signed contracts to work for a specific number of years in exchange for passage to the New World.

While indentured servants were not treated as property, their conditions were often brutal, and many died from mistreatment or disease.

Forced labor in colonies

Empires like the Spanish and Portuguese relied heavily on forced labor in their colonies in the Americas.

Indigenous peoples were often forced into brutal labor, working in mines or on plantations under grueling conditions.

The Spanish Empire, for instance, used the encomienda system to force the indigenous people of Latin America into working for Spanish settlers.

Genocide and ethnic cleansing

Another dark chapter in history is the widespread practice of genocide and ethnic cleansing carried out by some empires.

Examples of genocides

Perhaps the most well-known example is the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Between 1915 and 1917, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed through mass executions, forced marches, and starvation.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the Turkish government still denies that this was a genocide, leaving a painful and unresolved historical issue.

Forced displacement and resettlement

Many empires also practiced forced displacement.

The British Empire displaced millions of people, particularly during the colonial era, in efforts to exploit resources and control land.

In India, the British Raj forced millions of people from their homes to make way for plantations and railroads. 

Colonialism and exploitation

The concept of colonialism played a significant role in shaping the practices of historical empires.

Empires often imposed their control over vast territories, extracting resources and exploiting indigenous populations.

Resource extraction

Colonial empires, like the British Empire and Belgian Congo, were especially notorious for extracting valuable resources at the expense of the indigenous populations.

In the Congo Free State, for example, the Belgian Empire exploited the region’s rubber resources, using forced labor to gather rubber.

Imposition of foreign systems

Colonial empires also imposed foreign political, economic, and social systems on native populations.

The Mughal Empire in India introduced a centralized bureaucracy, which, while advanced, was often used to control the population rather than serve its interests.

Divide and conquer tactics

Empires often used divide and conquer tactics to maintain control over their colonies.

This involved creating artificial divisions between ethnic or religious groups, leading to long-term conflict.

The British Empire used this strategy in India, exploiting divisions between Hindus and Muslims, which ultimately contributed to the partition and the subsequent violence.

Cultural destruction and suppression

Colonial empires also engaged in practices that led to the destruction and suppression of cultures.

Religious persecution

One example of this is the Spanish Inquisition, which sought to root out non-Catholic religions within Spain’s territories.

Indigenous people in the Americas were forced to convert to Christianity, with many priests and missionaries destroying native religious artifacts and temples.

Language suppression

Empires also worked to suppress indigenous languages in favor of their own.

For instance, the British Empire sought to promote the English language in its colonies, while France pursued French linguistic dominance in regions such as North Africa.

Destruction of cultural artifacts

Throughout history, empires have also looted and destroyed cultural artifacts to assert dominance.

The British Museum is filled with treasures taken from around the world, including ancient Egyptian relics and Greek sculptures, much of which was taken during colonial conquests.

Brutal military tactics and warfare

Empires didn’t shy away from using brutal military tactics to maintain control.

Excessive force and atrocities

The Roman Empire used excessive force to quell uprisings, most famously during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, where thousands of Jews were killed and their temple was destroyed.

Use of chemical weapons or scorched earth tactics

The Ming Dynasty of China used scorched earth tactics to wipe out opposition, burning villages and poisoning water supplies.

Similarly, the Roman Empire used chemical warfare, including flamethrowers known as “Greek Fire,” to burn enemy ships and cities.

Case Studies from Different Empires

British Empire

One of the darkest moments of British rule in India occurred in 1919, when British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.

Hundreds of people were killed, and many more were injured.

This massacre exemplifies the harsh tactics the British sometimes used to suppress resistance to their rule.

In addition to violence, the British Empire also extracted resources from colonies, using forced labor and exploiting local populations to fuel their industries back home.

Roman Empire

A prime example of Roman brutality is the sacking of Carthage in 146 BCE.

After a long and bitter conflict, the Romans razed the city to the ground.

Carthage, a major rival to Rome, was utterly destroyed—its buildings burned, its fields salted so they could no longer be cultivated, and its population either killed or enslaved.

This extreme tactic was meant to send a message to anyone who might dare challenge Roman authority.

Mughal Empire

While known for their cultural contributions, the Mughals also practiced forced religious conversions and brutal military tactics to expand their empire.

Aurangzeb, in particular, was known for his strict interpretation of Islam and efforts to expand the empire through military force.

He conducted numerous military campaigns in the southern parts of India, often using extreme violence to subdue local kingdoms.

Additionally, the Mughal rulers practiced forced conversions of Hindus to Islam, sometimes destroying Hindu temples in the process.

Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty is infamous for its harsh military campaigns and brutal suppression of rebellions, leading to massive loss of life and destruction.

One of the most notable events in Ming history was the suppression of peasant revolts, especially during the reign of Emperor Wanli.

To maintain control, the Ming military used excessive force, and entire villages were destroyed as a warning to others.

This often included scorched earth tactics, where the military would burn crops, poison water supplies, and destroy infrastructure to deprive rebellious groups of resources.

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Final Thoughts

The legacy of these historical empires is not without its dark side.

Their controversial practices—slavery, genocide, colonial exploitation, cultural suppression, and brutal military tactics—have left lasting scars on the world.

While it is important to recognize the achievements of these empires, we must also confront their history honestly and with the awareness that these actions have shaped the modern world in complex and painful ways.