THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Anatolian TurksAka Ottomans•Warriors for Islam• Formed military societies and followed strict Islamic code of conduct•Raided territoriesof infidels (non Muslims)

Used gunpowder and cannons to conquer Constantinople (1453)

end of Byzantine Empire• Renamed the city Istanbul• Hagia Sophia becomes a

mosque

1514 – Ottomans defeated the Persians•Captured important cities•Gained territory and built an empire

Ottoman Empire at it’s Peak

•Dominated the Eastern Mediterranean•Captured territory along N. African coastline•Controlled all trade into Africa

This forced Western Europeans to look for alternate

trade routes to Asia!

Denied Western Europe access to the Silk Road through the Mediterranean Sea

Life Under the Ottomans• Treated conquered

people kindly (Jews and Christians)• Efficient government

structure and organization• Simplified tax system• Reduced government

bureaucracy• Cultural achievements• Art and literature

Decline of the Ottoman Empire

• Government corruption

• Incapable leaders

• Lasted until WWI