1. 18.1 – Ottomans Build a Vast Empire

2. Setting the Stage 1300: Byzantine Empire in decline
Anatolia inhabited by descendants of the Turks
Peoples were militaristic, loyal, and lacked a strong central power/figure

3. Into Byzantium Osman – most successful leader
Followers = Ottomans
Forms a small Muslim state in Anatolia
Lands expanded through alliances, conquest, & purchase of land
Success based on gunpowder = success
Muskets & cannons
Into Byzantium

4. Empire
Orkhan I, Osman’s son, declared sultan or overlord or one with power
Rule peoples through local officials & improve living standards
The beginning of the Ottoman Empire

6. Suleyman I Rules empire to its greatest extent
A superb military leader
1521-2: dominates the eastern Mediterranean
Uses naval power to take coastal areas of North Africa
1526: Pushed empire to outskirts of Vienna, Austria

8. Suleyman created an efficient government & social structure
Creates a civil & criminal law code
Limited taxes & simplified bureaucracy (uses slaves)
Devshirme policy
Conquered Christian boys educated, converted, & trained as soldiers
Creates an elite & loyal force called Janissaries
The Lawgiver

9. Culture Freedom of worship granted to all
Mainly Christians & Jews
Communities treated as millets, or nations
Suleyman I encouraged cultural achievements = education, architecture, etc.
Mosque of Suleyman: four schools, a library, a bath and a hospital

10. Slow Decline Despite gains, empire loses land
Suleyman kills his ablest son & exiles another
Selim II inherits throne = incompetent
Practice of killing brothers & imprisoning sons established = long line of weak sultans
Empire lasts until 1918

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