The Rise and Expansion of the Ottoman Empire

The Rise and Expansion of the Ottoman Empire

What factors help unify an empire?

How can the creation of a new empire impact the people and culture of a region?

Rise of the Ottoman Turks

How did the Ottoman Turks establish power and expand their empire?

The Osman Turks founded the Ottoman dynasty in the late 13th century

They moved into the Balkans in the 14th century

They built a strong military using janissaries - children enslaved from the local Christian population and converted to Islam

Ottomans used new technology of firearms to defeat the Serbs at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389

They annexed Bulgaria, in the 1390's

Multiple Choice

Janissaries are.....

• Women enslaved from Christian population

• Men enslaved from the Christian population

• Children enslaved from the Christian population

Fall of the Byzantine Empire

• Ottomans controlled the Bosporus & Dardanelles (2 straits) which connected the Black Seat & S=The Aegan Sea

• The Byzantine Empire had controlled these narrow water passageways for centuries

• Memed II, waged war with 80,000 troops against 7,000 Byzantines

• Almost 2 months later, the Ottomans broke through the walls and destroyed the city within 3 days

• Explorations of Africa & the Americas were waged by Europeans as the Turks now controlled this important crossroads

Open Ended

Why did the Europeans lead exploration to Africa and the Americas?

Expansion of the Ottoman Empire

• Through conquests, the Ottoman Turks were in control of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Arabia, Jerusalem, Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah (Medina)

• Sultan Selim I became new caliph (defender of the faith) & a successor to Muhammad

• Ottoman forces began to expand into parts of Europe

• They conquered Belgrade, Hungary, and parts of the western Mediterranean (Spain)

• The Spanish fleet destroyed a large Ottoman fleet at Lepato in 1571

The Ottoman Empire was seen a "sleeping giant" due to internal problems

They went on the offensive in the second half of the 17th century, attacking Vienna

The Ottomans were defeated by a European army and pushed out of Hungary

They were never again a threat to Europe

Multiple Choice

What is a caliph

• defender of the faith

• defender of the world

• defender of the universe

Life Under Ottoman Rule

• How was the Ottoman Empire ruled under a sultan?

• What were society and culture like in the Ottoman Empire?

• Ottoman Empire labeled a "gunpowder empire"

• These empires were formed by outside conquerors who unified their conquered regions

• An empire like this based their sucess on its firearms

The Imperial Sultans

• The sultan was the supreme leader in a political/military sense

• As the empire expanded a centralized administration was adopted, isolating the sultan from his people

• The position was hereditary, but didn't always go to the eldest son

• Sometimes this led to violent struggles with the loser facing execution

Harem - the private domain of the sultan and his wives

When a son became sultan, his mother would be the main adviser

Sultan controlled government through an imperial council

The grand vizier (chief minister) led the day-to-day operations

Empire divided into districts, run by pashas (helped to run things)

Pashas collected taxes & supplied armies from his area

Topkapi (iron gate) Palace in Istanbul was center of sultan's power. Buildt in 15th century by Mehmed II

Ottoman Society

• Ottomans were Sunni Muslims

• Sultans gave relgious duties to the ulema (religious advisers)

• The ulema was in charge of legal system and schools

• All Muslims in society were expected to follow Islamic law & customs

Ottoman system tolerant of non-Muslims (who were a minority)

Non-Muslims paid a tax but could practice their own religion

Most Europeans remained Christians but there were some who converted (example Bosnia - large #s of non-Muslims converted)

• Ottoman Empire divided by occupation

• 4 main occupational group: peasants, artisans, merchants, pastoral people (nomadic herders)

• Peasant farmed land that was leased to them by the state (sultan)

• Artisans had craft guilds - provided $ services, social security, training for members

• Merchants most privileged class and exempt from govt regulations & taxes

Islamic law more tolerant in legal position of women

Women allowed to own & inherit property

Could not be forced into marriage and in some cases could get a divorce

Architecture and the Arts

• Ottoman sultans patrons of the arts

• Architecture was greatest contribution - seen in mosques

• Converted Hagia Sophia into a Mosque

• Most famous Ottoman architects was Sinan - Suleymaniey Mosque in Istanbul

• Also known for textiles & rugs

• Silk industry resurfaced

• Rugs were a peasant industry - some made of wool & cotton from different regions