Douglas Streusand emphasized policy, rather than the influence of this commodity, in a counterexample to one hypothesis. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this commodity that, in a theory developed by Marshall Hodgson and William H. McNeill, enabled the centralization of central Asian empires like the Ottoman and Safavid.
ANSWER: gunpowder [or black powder; accept gunpowder empires; prompt on powder]
[10e] While it is not considered a gunpowder empire, this dynasty found many different uses for it, like the paper-plane-like “divine crow” as detailed in the Huǒlóngjīng. The introduction of muskets was inadequate to prevent this dynasty from being conquered by the Manchu Qīng Dynasty.
ANSWER: Míng Dynasty
[10h] McNeill cited the military reforms of this person as those of a European gunpowder empire. This victor at the Battle of Nieuwpoort (“NEW-port”) may have organized the execution of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt during the Twelve Years’ Truce.
ANSWER: Maurice of Nassau [or Maurice, Prince of Nassau; or Maurice of Orange; or Maurice, Prince of Orange; or Maurits van Oranje; accept Maurits in place of “Maurice”; prompt on Maurice or Maurits]
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