The Ottoman Empire

Agenda Bell Ringer: What is the impact of the English Bill of Rights on Absolutist Rule? Brief Lecture: Ottoman Empire Suleiman the Magnificent Primary analysis End of the Ottomans, video clip Save the Ottomans?

Turks settle down (Othman) Anatolian Turks similar to crusaders. Built a State in Anatolia between 1300-1326. Used cannons and gunpowder to take cities. Conquered people were treated well, but were required to pay taxes. Jannisaries- recruited from the traditional Christian population, converted to Islam and used as soldiers.

Timur the Lame Early 1400, Rebel from Samarkand. Claimed to be descendant of Genghis Kahn. Conquered Russia and Persia. Pillaged Baghdad Massacred population in Delhi. He takes the Sultan, and violence breaks out among the brothers.

Expansion of the Empire Mehmet I defeats his brothers and takes the throne. Expansion continues through 1566. Mehmet II takes Constantinople with 100,000 soldiers. (1453) Pillaged the city for 3 days, ransacking the Hagia Sophia. Inhabitants were made slaves. Hagia Sophia turned into a Mosque.

Suleiman and the Height of the Empire Controlled major trade routes on Eastern Med and throughout Continent. Complex Military State 20,000 slaves Janissaries, took young boys and trained them in Islamic tradition, making them soldiers. Allowed Freedom of Religion.

Cultural Achievements and Decline Taxation simplified. Mosque of Suleiman Contained a hospital, library, and college. Harems Sacred place, Sultan stays with several concubines, occasionally a Sultan would marry. Decline Killed his ablest son, incompetent one took power in 1571. Everyone scared of losing power, so they kill anyone they feel can take it. Lack of modernization leads to end in 1924.

Safavid’s Aligned themselves with Shi’a Islam. Since they were attacked by the Ottomans, they built a large military. Isma’il became a religious tyrant Killed anyone of the Sunni sect. Similar to the Ottomans, including its decline.

Saving an Empire After watching the quick documentary on the Ottoman Empire, get into groups and try to find ways to save the Empire. Think about the time period, and what would be happening that may affect progress. What solutions do you present? Are they viable?