Ottoman Empire Expansion

Overview

This lecture covers the rise and expansion of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th to 16th centuries, emphasizing the conquest of Constantinople and the Ottomans' military, political, and cultural impacts on Europe and beyond.

The Decline of the Byzantine Empire and Rise of the Ottomans

• By 1301, the Byzantine Empire was large, but by 1450, much territory was lost due to Ottoman expansion.
• Murat I captured Adrianople, beginning a century of Ottoman advances into Europe and Asia.
• By 1451, the Ottomans surrounded Constantinople, reducing the Byzantine Empire to a vassal state.

The Fall of Constantinople (1453)

• Constantinople's population had declined, and many wealthy/educated citizens fled to Italy, aiding the Renaissance.
• The city was valuable for trade, geography, and as a religious symbol.
• Mehmed II became Sultan, laid siege with 50,000 men, and captured the city after 54 days.
• After the fall, Hagia Sophia became a mosque, and Constantinople was made the Ottoman capital.
• The conquest ended the Roman Empire and is seen as a key turning point in world and European history.

Ottoman Governance and Society

• The Sultan's household (harem, eunuchs, slaves) formed the core of administration.
• Succession was not by primogeniture; sons competed for power, sometimes violently.
• Slaves, often Christian boys taken via the devshirme system, rose to high ranks as administrators or Janissary soldiers.

Religious and Social Tolerance

• Christians and Jews could keep their faith and some autonomy if they paid taxes and remained loyal.
• The Grand Vizier acted as the Sultan’s chief minister, heading the advisory council (Divan).

Expansion Under Successive Sultans

• After 1453, the Ottomans expanded into the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa.
• Selim I defeated the Safavid and Mamluk empires, seizing Mecca and Medina and claiming the title of caliph.
• Control of key cities solidified the Ottoman-Islamic identity and economic dominance over overland trade routes.

Suleiman the Magnificent and European Conflicts

• Suleiman I conquered Belgrade and Rhodes, faced opposition from the Habsburgs and Portuguese.
• The decisive Battle of Mohács (1526) ended Hungarian independence and shifted power in Southeast Europe.
• Afterward, the Ottomans besieged Vienna but failed; borders with the Habsburgs stabilized.

Ottoman Naval Power and the Mediterranean

• The empire expanded along the Barbary Coast and clashed frequently with Christian navies.
• The Ottomans seized Cyprus but suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Lepanto (1571), ending their naval momentum.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Sultan — ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
• Janissary — elite infantry unit made up of devshirme conscripts.
• Devshirme — system of recruiting Christian boys to serve the Ottoman state.
• Hagia Sophia — major church in Constantinople, converted to a mosque.
• Grand Vizier — chief minister and head of the Ottoman government.
• Caliph — religious leader, considered successor to Muhammad.
• Divan — advisory council to the Sultan.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the reasons for the fall of Constantinople and its effects on Europe.
• Study the structure of Ottoman governance and the devshirme system.
• Prepare for quiz on key battles (e.g., Mohács, Lepanto) and their significance.