The Rise and dominance of the ottoman empire
The Ottoman Base:
Founded by Osman in the 1300s, the Ottoman empire lasted until its defeat in 1918 by the Allies in WWI.
A key advantage for the Ottomans was their location in the northwest corner of the peninsula. From there they were able to expand westward and eventually control the Bosporus and the Dardanelles straits. These two bodies of water, separated by the Sea of Marmara, mark the passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. The Byzantine empire held control of this region for centuries.
In the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks expanded into the Balkans and began to put pressure on the Byzantine empire. Ottoman rulers claimed the title sultan (holders of power) and began to build up a strong military administration based on the recruitment of Christians into an elite guard. The members of this guard, called Janissaries, were forcibly drafted from conquered regions. They then served as soldiers in the Ottoman military.
In the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks expanded into the Balkans and began to put pressure on the Byzantine empire. Ottoman rulers claimed the title sultan (holders of power) and began to build up a strong military administration based on the recruitment of Christians into an elite guard. The members of this guard, called Janissaries, were forcibly drafted from conquered regions. They then served as soldiers in the Ottoman military.
Duration of the ottoman empire: timeline
Ottoman rulers
A. Founder (see above)
B. Mehmet II
B. Mehmet II
In the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks expanded into the Balkans and began to put pressure on the Byzantine empire. Ottoman rulers claimed the title sultan (holders of power) and began to build up a strong military administration based on the recruitment of Christians into an elite guard. The members of this guard, called Janissaries, were forcibly drafted from conquered regions. They then served as soldiers in the Ottoman military.
Mehmet II: Called "the Conqueror", Mehmet II firmly established the empire's capital after his forces besieged Byzantine's capital, Constantinople in 1453. Despite its triple fortifications, the city fell as its walls crumbled under the bombardment of Ottoman canons. Under Mehmet's rule the city - its name changed to Istanbul - prospered due to its location, which was a nexus for trade. Under Mehmet's guidance, Istanbul grew even more beautiful and expanded across both sides of the strait.
Mehmet's army next laid siege to the Balkans of Southeast Europe. Although he did not conquered Venice, Italy, he forced the city to pay him a yearly tax. The Ottomans also added to their territories present-day Syria, Israel, Egypt, and Algeria.
Mehmet II: Called "the Conqueror", Mehmet II firmly established the empire's capital after his forces besieged Byzantine's capital, Constantinople in 1453. Despite its triple fortifications, the city fell as its walls crumbled under the bombardment of Ottoman canons. Under Mehmet's rule the city - its name changed to Istanbul - prospered due to its location, which was a nexus for trade. Under Mehmet's guidance, Istanbul grew even more beautiful and expanded across both sides of the strait.
Mehmet's army next laid siege to the Balkans of Southeast Europe. Although he did not conquered Venice, Italy, he forced the city to pay him a yearly tax. The Ottomans also added to their territories present-day Syria, Israel, Egypt, and Algeria.
C. Sulieman
Ottoman society
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Since the birth of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, Muslims, Christians and Jews survived and often thrived through tolerant interactions and respected partnerships. The Ottoman Empire created an official government institution to maintain a tolerant peace between the diverse occupants of their rapidly expanding empire, the so-called "millet system."
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Islamic society insisted that noble women remain secluded in "harems." According to Ottoman tradition, the harem was forbidden to strangers because it was also the home of the emperor, his mother who was known as the "valide sultan" (equivalent to queen mother) and his sons. Women here played social and political roles at court. Many wives and concubines of the sultan tried to promote their own children as likely heirs to the throne, giving rise to "harem politics."
The Ottoman social system was built around a warrior aristocracy that soon began to compete for positions in the bureaucracy with the ulama (scholars and experts in Islamic law). Viziers also acted as advisors to the sultan.
Istanbul remained a center of arts and learning. Poets and scholars from across Asia met in coffeehouses and gardens, creating a rich intellectual atmosphere. The culturally diverse nature of the Ottoman empire gave rise to what historians call "Pax Ottomonica" or the golden age of the Ottoman empire. Here, advances especially in the areas of mathematics, and science dominated the flourishing intellectual achievements. Also, the construction of minarets (narrow towers of the mosque), seen below, increased curiosity and wonder of the Ottoman culture.
Istanbul remained a center of arts and learning. Poets and scholars from across Asia met in coffeehouses and gardens, creating a rich intellectual atmosphere. The culturally diverse nature of the Ottoman empire gave rise to what historians call "Pax Ottomonica" or the golden age of the Ottoman empire. Here, advances especially in the areas of mathematics, and science dominated the flourishing intellectual achievements. Also, the construction of minarets (narrow towers of the mosque), seen below, increased curiosity and wonder of the Ottoman culture.