New rulers often face a special challenge of legitimacy: why should people accept their rule and their policies? The Russian tsars of the 15 ^ (th) and 16th century faced just such a challenge. They claimed the right to dominate Russia and orchestrate steady expansion of territory. How could they persuade the people that their power was legitimate ? " -Peter Stearns World Civilizations : The Global Experience A. According to the author, Russian rulers had to persuade their people that their power was legitimate. Give one example of how Russian rulers legitimized their power in the period of 1450 to 1750 .

B. Explain how another land-based empire from 1450-1750 legitimized power.

C. Once power was legitimized it was often important for empires to consolidate power. Provide one example of how a landbased empire was able to consolidate power from 1450 - 1750.