The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire Essential Info on Turkey's Great Empire ChaptersWhen and Where was the Ottoman Empire?How did the Ottoman Empire begin?The Golden Age of Ottoman PowerKeeping Power: The Ottoman Style of GovernmentThe Decline of the Ottoman EmpireConclusion.We often forget about the Ottoman Empire when looking at the history of Europe in the sixteenth century. We’re often more concerned with developments in Christianity, with the rise of the Spanish, British, and Dutch empires, and with the exploration of the New World.Yet, the Ottomans were not merely a bunch of Muslim warriors with whom Europe fought for centuries. The most interesting thing about them is not the common legend of the Sultan disguising himself as a common man and prowling the streets at night â€" nor is it the endless stories of royal fratricide (the acting of killing one’s sibling) or of princes with multiple wives.Rather, the Ottoman Empire was a highly successful, culturally rich, and relatively liberal political body whose legacy is still felt today. MarkHistory Te acher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen and Where was the Ottoman Empire?The Ottoman Empire was centred in Istanbul, where the Sultan resided, and it lasted for just over six centuries â€" from roughly 1301 to 1922, when it collapsed after the First World War.The territory it covered was spread over Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, in modern day Egypt, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. It stretched f rom the south of Algeria right up to the River Danube.You may well have heard of Suleiman the Magnificent â€" who ruled in the sixteenth century between 1520 and 1566. These years are known as the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire, at a time when he was attempting to conquer territories in Persia, Austria, and Russia.The tide changed a little for the Turkish after 1571, when the Ottoman navy took a beating at the hands of the coordinated forces of the Europeans â€" under the leadership of the Pope. After this, their influence in Europe slowly faded and, after further failed campaigns, the Empire entered into centuries-long decline.The map of the Ottoman Empire's territory over the centuries.How did the Ottoman Empire begin?Osman I is generally credited with inaugurating the Ottoman Empire â€" as it is named after him!He was a tribesman from Anatolia â€" an area of Turkey â€" whose father is thought to have led his tribe there to escape from the Mongolian Empire in the mid-thirteenth century. Whilst leading one of many tribes in Anatolia at the time, Osman’s success came through the fact that he increased his territories by attacking the Byzantine Empire  (the end of the Roman Empire) based in Constantinople (previously known as Byzantium).One hundred and fifty years later, in 1453, Osman’s Empire â€" now under the leadership of Mehmed the Conqueror â€" laid siege to Constantinople and conquered it for the first time in a thousand years. They renamed the city Istanbul â€" the City of Islam â€" and established there the seat of the Ottoman Empire.Anatolia was where the Ottoman Empire originated. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Golden Age of Ottoman PowerFollowing the capture of Istanbul, Ottoman power enjoyed over a century of almost uninterrupted glory. The armies under Bayezid, Selim I, and Suleiman, ‘The Grand Turk’, captured territories including Syria, the Arabian Peninsula, Palestine, and Egypt.Throughout this period, Imperial Turkey flourished. However, after Suleiman â€" with the ruler, Selim II, on the throne â€" things began to change: Turks began to revolt, the Ottomans were defeated by European armies, and the dynasty’s imperial might began slowly to wane.TradeDuring the Golden Age of the Ottomans, the Sultanate took advantage of the hugely significant location of Istanbul to enhance its trading and commercial power.Istanbul has always sat at a very strategic place in the trad ing routes between east and west â€" between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Ottomans traded with China in the far east and with Venice in Italy â€" and they benefited hugely from the flow of expensive goods, including silk, dyes, and spices, throughout Asia Minor. The Ottoman conquest of Yemen, for example, brought Turkish control of the region’s coffee, which, when sold in the Egyptian capital, made Cairo an incredibly prosperous city.Many of the Empire’s conquests were attempts to gain control of different trade routes. The Turkish navy controlled much of the Mediterranean, whilst overland they pursued trade wars with Russia. As Portugal was attempting to build its presence in the Indian Ocean, the Ottomans fought determinedly to maintain their influence there. CultureThe years under Suleiman were an incredibly fruitful time for Ottoman art. Huge developments took place in Islamic calligraphy, poetry, painting, music, and ceramics. Mathematics, chemistry, and philosophy were al l practiced, and it is thought that a lot of the surgical instruments we use now in medicine were invented by the Ottoman Turks.The architect Sinan has been credited with changing the face of the Middle East under Suleiman, whilst European artists â€" such as Titian and Bellini â€" spent time in Istanbul too.ReligionThe enmity and distrust felt between early modern Europe and the Ottoman’s was in part based on religion: Europe was aggressively Christian whilst the Turks were Muslim.Whilst the Ottoman has now been recognised as being a very religiously liberal regime, there were many horror stories at the time regarding the role of Islam. Much literature and propaganda were disseminated â€" such as Shakespeare’s play Othello â€" which spread suspicion of Islam.The Turkish were thought to have forcibly converted many Christians to Islam, and the devshirme system took prisoner twenty percent of male children from the Christians that were captured. They were converted and used as sl aves or trained in government.Suleiman, however, was both a religious and political leader. He developed lots of primary schools for religious and literacy education, and the title of Sultan included responsibilities as the protector of Islam. Unlike in most of Christian Europe, Jewish people had a very important role in Ottoman society, and they were actively encouraged to come to Istanbul.Keeping Power: The Ottoman Style of GovernmentIt is well worth thinking about how exactly the Ottomans survived for so long â€" and how their techniques of government enabled a single family to rule for nearly seven centuries!The Ottoman government was known for its strong centralisation and stability. Whilst this was a testament to the strength of the royal family, the dynastic continuity came with a murderous side â€" as royal sons plotted against each other to ensure succession for themselves.A common legend about the Ottomans is that the Sultan would often disguise himself to exit from his pa lace, Topkapi, and check on officials â€" to ensure that everyone was performing his duty correctly. He also surrounded himself with knowledgeable statesman. However, the Sultan’s word would be final.Alongside the central strength of the absolute monarchy, the Ottomans maintained power â€" and spread their reach through the conquest of new lands â€" with an incredibly strong army. This has been thought to have been populated largely by slaves â€" yet the skill and knowledge of the military and naval leaders made the Ottoman armies feared and renowned.The Decline of the Ottoman EmpireLike all great empires, the Ottomans in Istanbul finally lost their grip on power and on the people that they dominated. But, in this case, the process of deterioration continued for centuries.Lepanto, 1571A major turning point for the Ottoman Empire was in 1571 when they fought and lost a major naval battle with the Holy Roman Empire at Lepanto. Following the magnificent reign of Suleiman, this event suggested to all the world that the Turkish navy was no longer invincible.Some two hundred Turkish boats were destroyed, along with forty thousand men being killed. This number included many of their most brilliant naval officers â€" and this signalled the end of Turkish domination in the Mediterranean. Thousands of Christian prisoners were also freed.The Battle of Lepanto was a major defeat for the Ottoman Empire.Vienna, 1683After this battle, which historians think started the Empire’s decline, the Turkish seventeenth century was marred by a number of military defeats. The most significant of these was probably the Siege of Vienna in 1683, which ended in failure.This was the second attempt by the Ottomans to capture Vienna (with the first in 1529), but this particular failure halted Turkish attempts to conquer further land in Europe. This tactical decision meant that the Turks failed to accumulate further land, and the Empire started to stagnate.Other Factors for the Fall of the OttomansMilitary failures besides, there were further factors that consolidated the decline of the Ottoman Empire.European domination of the New World meant that Ottoman belligerence was less problematic for these Christians, as they became much less dependent upon the trade routes that the Ottoman’s controlled.The Ottoman policy of liberal trade meant that the Empire never really itself produced the resources it needed. Rather, its imperial strategy was characterised by what has been called ‘short-termism’: after conquest, it took the resources from the new land and moved on, rather than investing for the long term.Central political control finally weakened, with rebellion and revolt weakening political authority over all of the territories that the Empire controlled. This was exacerbated by a number of incompetent sultans throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.The Empire finally ceased to exist at the end of the First World War, which they fought on the side of the Germans. After this, The British Empire and the French divided most of what was previously Ottoman land between them â€" and it is believed that Turkey has never quite recovered.Conclusion.If you want to know more about the world's great empires, or about the Russian Empire, or the Qing Dynasty, check out the rest of our series!

Student Thoughts on Attending The Ohio State University

Student Thoughts on Attending The Ohio State University Casey earned her bachelors degree in psychology from The Ohio State University. She specializes in anatomy tutoring, math tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at The Ohio State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Casey: The campus was absolutely beautiful. In the summer, the oval is packed with people. Both the city of Columbus and the Ohio State campus have easy-to-navigate bus systems. There is really no need for a car or bike your first two years. However, if you anticipate going off-campus for work, it might be wise to bring a car to get around the city. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Casey:The TAs are wonderful and will help you whenever you are in need, but you will ultimately determine how successful you are in your classes. Initially, classes can be as big as 700 students. As you move up in your major, however, your classes will become much smallersometimes as small as 10 or 12 students. In these classes, your professors are very accessible and approachable. I had two advisers, one for psychology and one for pre-physical therapy. The university does not hold your hand through your collegiate career, but I found that to be an invaluable life lesson that I am grateful to have learned. Guidance counselors are there to guide you, but you will have to put in the work to succeed. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Casey:Ohio State is currently undergoing several renovations. I lived in Morrill Tower my freshman year with nine roommates. It was a great way to meet friends. I really wish I had appreciated how great dorm life actually was when I was living it. The dining options are great as well. The food offered to students is restaurant-quality, and there are small grocery store options for students as well. There are so many opportunities for students to get involved on campus. There are fairs held every semester, filled with every organization to help students find their niche. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Casey:Ohio State has over 180 majors. Typically, we are known for the Fisher College of Business, but all of our programs are top-notch. Every student will have at least one adviser, sometimes two if a student pursues a pre-med route. I studied psychology with a pre-physical therapy focus. I really enjoyed psychology, because I love to learn about why people are the way they are. The university did a wonderful job of supporting my area of study. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Casey:It was seamless for me to meet people and make friends at OSU. I applied to be a Sport and Wellness Scholar (SWS) before I went to Ohio State, so I was roomed with people who were scholars as well. I also attended fairs for involvement, found my way into tutoring student athletes at OSU, and I became a University Host. In addition, I found ways to get involved with research through the university. The options for involvement are endless for students. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Casey:The Career Center and student support services are very approachable. They are helpful, but you have to make the time to reach out to them. Given that OSU is one of the largest universities in the country, reputable companies seek out students from Ohio State. There is no shortage of job opportunities in the area. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Casey:There are over 20 libraries on campus. The libraries used by the majority of students are Thompson Library and the SEL Library. The SEL is a 24-hour library, so it is frequented by a lot of students due to its hours. Thompson can get over-crowded at certain times, specifically exam week. However, there are 10 floors to Thompson, so it isnt too hard to find a spot to yourself. I really cannot say enough good things about the libraries and study spaces at Ohio State. Describe the surrounding town. Casey:There are so many fun spots in the surrounding area. There is an area called the Short North that is filled with young professionals. That area gets lively on the weekends, and there are so many small shops and boutiques that will keep you entertained all four years of undergrad. There is the German Village that hosts a lot of graduate students, with an amazing restaurant called Thurmans. Columbus is also an incredible city to explore. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Casey:Ohio State is huge; its home to around 60,000 students. Its overwhelming if you allow it to be. However, it becomes small when you get involved with any clubs, sports, or organizations; this is a great way to make the university feel smaller. I was in classes that had 30 students and others that had 800 students, and was never bothered by class size. Generally speaking, Ohio State will always provide you with the tools necessary to be successful in any class, regardless of size. What will determine your success is the amount of work you put into it. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Casey:I had one class at OSU that will stick with me forever. I was a psychology major, with a pre-physical therapy focus. However, I decided one semester to take a class that I would enjoy, so I took Intro to Shakespeare. It was my favorite class that I ever took at OSU. The professor was so passionate about Shakespeare, and I found it so relaxing to go to a class that I was taking purely for my enjoyment. It was an incredible experience to listen to someone so expert in a subject that I had almost no knowledge of. I will hold that with me forever as an incredible class experience, and it will always serve as a life reminder to take time to do things for myself. Check out Caseys tutoring profile. The views in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.