THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Origins of
the Ottoman Empire
After Muhammad’s death in 632
A.D., Muslim faith & power
spread throughout Middle East
Islam Map
By 1215, foreign invaders (Mongols from
eastern Asia) took over the lands of the
Muslim empire
Islam’s power in the Middle East started to
decline
Mongol Map
THEN . . .
A new empire arose out of the
leftovers of the old sultanates
(kingdoms) of Anatolia (Turkey).
1299 A.D.- one of these sultans
(Osman) began to expand his
kingdom
Osman started the Ottoman Empire,
named after him
ORIGINS of the
Ottoman Empire
It was one of the largest & longest
lasting empires in history
It was an empire supported & inspired by
Islam
It replaced the Byzantine Empire
(former Roman Empire) as the major
power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Religion
Founded on the principles of Islam
United by Islamic beliefs
Churches were converted into mosques
Tolerant of other religions, especially
Christians and Jews
Encouraged loyalty from other religious
faith groups
Mosque in Istanbul
The Janissaries
Group of soldiers loyal to
the sultan (king)
Army of slaves & Christian
converts to Islam
Helped to expand the
empire
Became so powerful that the
sultans feared them
Janissaries Pic
Janissaries Photo
Origins cont.
1352 A.D. sultans able to cross over into
Europe
1453 A.D.-Ottoman soldiers known as
Janissaries conquered Constantinople
(Istanbul) from the Byzantine empire, thus
ending the Roman Empire.
1517 A.D. Ottomans had control of Egypt &
extended control to most of North African
coast.
1520-1566: peak of power during rule of
Suleiman (“The Magnificent”)
Ottoman Map 2
Ottoman Map 1
Suleiman
Ruled from 1520-
1566
Made Ottoman Empire
the richest & most
powerful empire in
Europe and Southwest
Asia at the time
Suleiman
Greatest Ottoman leader of all time
Brought justice & harmony by publishing
a code of laws (“The Lawgiver”)
Feared & respected by Europeans
Turned Constantinople into a great center
of art, music, writing, and philosophy
Wrote some of the most beautiful poetry of
his time
Suleiman Pic
Expansion
Suleiman believed that the entire world
was his possession as a gift of God.
Vast amounts of Islamic territories were
annexed or invaded.
Very strong military
Expert in developing gunpowder as a
military tool
The Muslim Ottoman Empire eventually
controlled what is now:
Turkey
Egypt
Greece
Bulgaria
Romania
Macedonia
Hungary
Palestine
Jordan
Lebanon
Syria
Much of the coastal strip of
North Africa
Parts of Arabia
Trade
Located on major trade routes
between Europe & Asia
Some goods traded were:
Silk & other cloth
Rhubarb
Porcelain from China
Spices such as pepper
Dyes such as indigo
Trade map
THE DECLINE OF THE
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
SS7H2
The student will analyze continuity and
change in Southwest Asia (the Middle
East) leading to the 21st century.
Essential Questions
After the breakup of the Ottoman Empire,
Europe partitioned (divided) lands in the
Middle East.
1.How did this European partitioning lead to
regional conflict?
2. Land and religion are reasons for
continuing conflicts in the Middle East.
Describe how and why this is true.
THE BREAKUP OF THE OTTOMAN
EMPIRE
1571 A.D. – decline began after several
military defeats
1683 A.D.-failed invasion of Vienna, Austria
Economic problems
1. trade competition from Americas
2. cheap products from India & Far
East
3. development of other trade routes
4. rising unemployment & near
bankruptcy
Decline Map
Breakup continued
Economic weakness caused
military weakness
After losing WWI, the empire lost
control of Arab lands
By 1924, the Ottoman Empire no
longer existed
Hello Turkey!
The Ottoman Empire
officially ended on
Nov. 1, 1922.
Turkey was declared a republic.
Turkey Today
The importance of Constantinople
It was the heart of the Byzantine empire for 1100 years
1453 A.D.-conquered by the Sultan Mehmet II & became the
Ottoman capital
The effect on Christian Europe was enormous
Renamed Istanbul which means the “city of Islam”
Istanbul became a political and military capital
Positioned at the junction of Europe, Africa, and Asia
Located on both sides of the Bosporus, a narrow strait
separating Europe from Asia
The only major city located on two continents
