1. The Ottoman Empire!

2. Rise of a New Empire Three main groups in the Turkish region.
Byzantine Empire (Christians), groups of Muslims that created an alliance (Seljuk), and occasionally Mongols.
Byzantine Empire in decline after in-fighting and attacks by Mongols, Christian and Islamic invaders. However, Muslims were on the rise due to their organization.
Osman (Founder of Ottoman Empire) begins expanding in Turkey through raids similar to Mongols in the early 1300s.
Eventually draws many Muslims with a call for Ghaza (war against nonbelievers) for glory, plunder, and prestige.
Expands through Turkey and into Europe.

3. However, skips Byzantine Capital (Constantinople)

4. Expansion and Ruling
Eventually went through parts of southern Europe to expand their empire ( ).
Finally, generations later Mehemed II conquers Constantinople in 1453, which ends the Byzantine Empire.
Using cannons to break through the three walls of Constantinople.
City is renamed Istanbul, and Mehemed II makes the Ottoman Empire the new guardian of Islam. Or were they? (Safavid Empire in Iran was Shiite and Mughal Empire in India)
Switches churches to mosques in the beginning.
What do you think was Mehemed’s nickname?

5. Ruling
Turks faced hostile populations of Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and some Muslims. At first, a brutal response to opposition then changed tactics….
The Turks allowed everyone to practice whatever religion/law they wanted as long as they paid taxes. (Millet system)
Managed vast, culturally diverse empire through the Janissary Army and Civil Service.
Built on devshirme ('gathering'). This was Christians surrendering twenty percent of their male children to the state. Either you join military or become a bureaucrat. Which is better?
Boys were converted to Islam and could earn high titles (but no chance to rule). LOYALTY!
Professions ranged from: guards, gatekeepers, scribes, pages, governors, soldiers, or prime ministers. Top was Grand Vizier.
Fear of challengers to your rule meant fraticide became common.
Empire focused on trade, granting liberty to subjects, taxes, and expanding.

6. The Expanding Empire

8. Question
Please imagine that you just inherited the empire that was included in the image above. What would be your first step as the sultan? (1 paragraph)
A. Conquer Europe
B. Conquer other Muslim lands
C. Emphasize Taxing
D. Build a strong navy
E. Marry a Christian
F. Build great architectural projects
G. Something else

9. Famous Leaders
Osman Suleiman the Magnificent
Mehmet II

10. Ottoman Rulers (Sultans) +
Osman( ) and his descendants
-founder of the Ottoman dynasty
-Turkish leader
-His descendants built the Ottoman Empire.
Mehmet II (the Conqueror)( )
-Constantinople (Istanbul)
Suleiman (the Magnificent) ( )
Second in charge were Grand Viziers (could be from the Janissary class)
Everything was based on merit!
Sultans were considered all powerful and sought justice.
Later, the Janissaries became more involved in politics (trouble)

11. Suleiman the Magnificent
“His strength owed much to the work of his father Selim had done in establishing government, removing opposition (brothers and sons), and conquering the Mamluk empire of Egypt and Syria.” –BBC
Conquered portions of Europe, North Africa, and Persia to expand empire to its largest size and controlling major water ways between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Created Kanun laws which lasted 300 years regarding criminal, tax, and land especially helping non-Muslims. (Lawgiver)
Finally, he was well known for creating free education and supporting the arts at that time.

12. General Ideas and Question
What were some of the factors that allowed the Ottomans to become such a powerful Empire?
1.Using the images below, explain what you think living in Istanbul was like. (3-4 sentences) From left to right: Coffeehouse in Istanbul, Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and Port of Istanbul

13. Factors in the Decline of the Ottoman Empire
Slow decline from 1566 (loss of territory)
Empires must expand!
Series of incompetent sultans
Western ideas and customs caught up, and were able to avoid the Ottoman Empire for trade.
Hereditary and in-fighting became common.
It lasted until after World War I (1919)

15. Video on Connection between the Renaissance and the Ottoman Empire
Question: How did Venice and the Ottoman Empire work together?

16. Sources
BBC Religions (2014) “Islam: The Ottoman Empire.” Retrieved 10/14/2014:
The Montreal Review (2009) “The Ottoman Empire” Retrieved
Roe Buck Classes (2008) “The Rise of the Ottoman Empire.” Retrieved 10/20/2014: