Ottoman Empire: An AP World History Definition

The Ottoman Empire, a vast and formidable empire that spanned three continents, played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the world. Its origins can be traced back to the 13th century, when the Oghuz Turks, a nomadic people from Central Asia, established a small principality in northwestern Anatolia. Over the next centuries, this principality gradually expanded its territory, conquering vast swathes of land in the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa.

At its peak in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ottoman Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the world. It controlled a vast territory that stretched from Hungary in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east, and from the Black Sea in the north to the Red Sea in the south. The empire’s population was estimated to be around 30 million people, making it one of the most populous empires in the world.

The Ottoman Empire was a diverse and cosmopolitan society, with people from a wide range of ethnic and religious backgrounds living within its borders. The empire’s official religion was Islam, but it also tolerated other religions, including Christianity and Judaism. The empire’s capital, Constantinople (later renamed Istanbul), was a major center of trade and culture, and it attracted people from all over the world.

The Ottoman Empire made significant contributions to the development of civilization. It was a major patron of the arts and sciences, and its scholars made important advances in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. The empire also developed a sophisticated system of government and administration, which helped to maintain its stability and prosperity for centuries.

However, the Ottoman Empire began to decline in the 18th century. A series of military defeats, combined with economic problems, led to the empire’s gradual loss of territory. By the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire had been reduced to a small fraction of its former size. In 1922, the empire was finally dissolved, and its territories were divided among the victorious powers of World War I.

Key Terms

• Ottoman Empire: A vast and formidable empire that spanned three continents from the 13th to the early 20th century.
• Oghuz Turks: A nomadic people from Central Asia who established the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century.
• Constantinople: The capital of the Ottoman Empire, later renamed Istanbul.
• Janissaries: An elite corps of infantrymen that formed the backbone of the Ottoman army.
• Millet system: A system of religious autonomy that allowed non-Muslim minorities to practice their own religion and customs.
• Tanzimat: A series of reforms implemented in the 19th century that aimed to modernize the Ottoman Empire.
• Young Turks: A group of reform-minded Ottoman intellectuals who played a key role in the overthrow of the Ottoman sultan in 1908.
• Armenian Genocide: The systematic killing of Armenians by the Ottoman government during World War I.
• Treaty of Lausanne: The treaty that dissolved the Ottoman Empire and divided its territories among the victorious powers of World War I.

Timeline of the Ottoman Empire

• 1299: Osman I establishes the Ottoman principality in northwestern Anatolia.
• 1354: The Ottomans conquer Gallipoli, their first foothold in Europe.
• 1389: The Ottomans defeat the Serbs at the Battle of Kosovo, consolidating their control over the Balkans.
• 1453: The Ottomans conquer Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
• 1529: The Ottomans fail to conquer Vienna, marking the end of their westward expansion.
• 1683: The Ottomans are defeated by the Holy League at the Battle of Vienna, marking the beginning of their decline.
• 1798: Napoleon Bonaparte invades Egypt, sparking a period of instability in the Ottoman Empire.
• 1821: The Greeks revolt against Ottoman rule, leading to the Greek War of Independence.
• 1839: The Ottomans are defeated by the European powers in the Crimean War.
• 1878: The Ottomans are forced to cede Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria-Hungary as a result of the Russo-Turkish War.
• 1908: The Young Turks revolt against the Ottoman sultan, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
• 1914: The Ottoman Empire enters World War I on the side of the Central Powers.
• 1918: The Ottoman Empire is defeated in World War I and dissolved by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Causes of the Decline of the Ottoman Empire

The decline of the Ottoman Empire was caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Military defeats: The Ottomans suffered a series of military defeats in the 18th and 19th centuries, which led to the loss of territory and a decline in morale.
• Economic problems: The Ottoman Empire faced a number of economic problems, including inflation, corruption, and a lack of investment in infrastructure.
• Political instability: The Ottoman Empire was plagued by political instability in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which led to a series of coups and assassinations.
• Nationalism: The rise of nationalism in the Balkans and the Middle East led to a growing desire for independence from Ottoman rule.

Legacy of the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire left a lasting legacy on the world. Its territories were divided among the victorious powers of World War I, but its cultural and political influence can still be seen in many parts of the world today. The Ottoman Empire played a major role in the development of the modern world, and its history continues to be studied and debated by scholars and historians.

Tables

Table 1: Population of the Ottoman Empire

Table 2: Major Battles of the Ottoman Empire

Table 3: Ottoman Sultans

Table 4: Ottoman Innovations