The Ottoman and Safavid Empires

Timeline Umayyad Dynasty – until 750 AD Abbasid Dynasty – until 1258 AD Ottoman Empire (from Turkey) – 1300’s-1700’s Safavid Empire (from Persia) – early 1500’s 1700’s

Suleiman the Magnificent aka The Lawgiver Modernized army – Expanded Ottoman empire Hungary, Mecca, N. Africa Improved system of Justice – Based on Sharia = law code – Backed by strong military Cultural Advances – Produced literature in Turkish – Architecture Sinan and the Selimiye Mosque

Organization of Ottoman Society Sultan/Royalty Men of the Sword – Soldiers and Janissaries' Men of the Pen – Scientists, lawyers, judges, poets Men of Negotiations – Merchants, tax collectors, Men of Husbandry – Herders Millets – Christian community – Jewish community Were organized and had their own leaders who reported to the Ottoman Empire. Christians in the Balkan’s had to pay a tax with their male children.

Non-Muslims in the Ottoman Empire “tax” on Christians in the Balkans – Janizaries Janizaries – Christian children of the Balkan's who were taken from their parents – Raised by the sultan as soldiers, to be elite fighting force. Raised as Muslims to be loyal to the Sultan – Given the best, colored uniforms, intimidating

Fall of the Ottomans Death of Suleiman Corruption of government Fell behind the times European powers took Ottoman lands

Safavid Empire (Shiite) early 1500s-1722 Shah Abbas the Great Strengthened Military – Defense from surrounding empires – Modeled after Janizaries Encouraged economic growth – Reduced taxes for farmers – Encouraged industrial growth – Tolerated People of the Book

Fall of the Safavid Empire Death of Shah Abbas Shiite scholars challenged authority of the Shah Persecution of religious minorities – Rebellion by Sunni’s