The Rise of the Ottoman Empire

Establishment and Early Expansion

• 13th Century: Osman I establishes a small beylik in present-day Turkey.
• Anatolian Context: Surrounded by Turkic principalities, a weakening Byzantine Empire, and the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.
• Expansion Tactics:
  • Strategic political alliances and military conflicts.
  • Attracted mercenaries with booty and reputation.
  • Prioritized political and military utility over ethnic/religious affinities.

Expansion under Orhan

• Military Organization: Established a sophisticated military and tax system for territorial expansion.
• Balkan Expansion:
  • Employed a mix of Turkic warriors and Byzantine/Balkan Christians.
  • Formation of Janissaries from captured Christian boys.
  • Integration of rulers through conversion to Islam and government positions.
• Religious Policy: Allowed religious freedom for non-Muslims in exchange for Jizye tax; certain restrictions applied (e.g., army participation).

Challenges and Continued Expansion

• By End of 14th Century: Subjugated most Anatolian beyliks and the Balkans.
• Early 15th Century Setbacks:
  • Timur's attack and capture of Sultan Beyazit I led to internal struggle.
  • Sultan Murad II revived the empire but failed to capture Constantinople.

Mehmed II and the Conquest of Constantinople

• Innovative Siege Tactics:
  • Employed a Hungarian engineer for large cannons.
  • Used Serbian miners for tunnel digging.
  • Overland transport of fleet for surprise attack.
• 1453: Constantinople falls, renamed Istanbul; becomes Ottoman capital.

Cultural and Economic Flourishing

• Cultural Hub: Multilingual city with Greek, Turkish, Armenian, Persian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Albanian, and Serbian speakers.
• Architectural Growth:
  • Splendid mosques by architects like Sinan.
  • Commodities like coffee introduced to Europe.
• Golden Age:
  • Economic growth and territorial acquisition.
  • Cultural innovation with influences from Europe, Africa, Middle East, Central Asia.
  • Iznik ceramics as an example of cultural blend.

Legacy

• 600-Year Empire: At its height, spanned from Hungary to Persian Gulf, Horn of Africa to Crimean Peninsula.
• Political and Trade Influence: Cemented through continued expansion and cultural assimilation.