Ottoman Empire Expands 1300 Byzantine Empire was declining

Ottoman Empire Expands

1300 • Byzantine Empire was declining • Mongols had destroyed the Turkish city of Rum • A small Turkish state was located between Byzantine Empire and that of the Muslims • A strong leader would emerge to unite Turks • Will eventually become an empire that stretches across three continents.

Turks move into Byzanitium • Ghazis – Warriors for Islam – The formed military societies under an emir (chief commander) – Followed a strict code of conduct.

Osman Establishes a State • Osman: Most successful Ghazi – West called him Othman and named his followers Ottomans. – Built a small Muslim state in Anatolia, but his descendants would buy land expand

Gunpowder • The military success of the Ottomans was due to gunpowder – They were one of the first peoples to use cannons in attacks.

Orkhan I • Was Osman’s son – Called himself sultan: means “overlord” or “one with power”

Conquered People • The Ottomans were lenient towards the people they conquered. – Ruled through local officials – Muslims had to serve in the army – Non-Muslims did not have to serve, but paid an exemption tax. – Many times they improved the life of peasents

Timur the Lame • Interrupted the growth of the empire • Was from Samarkand in Central Asia • A rebellious warrior • Permanently injured from an arrow in his leg.

Mehmed II Also known as Mehmed the Conqueror • He earned the title because he conquered Constantinople

Selim the Grim • Effective sultan, great General • Captured Mecca, Medina, and Cairo. • Expanded into Syria, Palestine, and North Africa.

Suleyman the Lawgiver • Would become the most powerful monarch on Earth. • Would expand empire into Central Europe, North Africa and Central Asia. • Created a new law code to handle both criminal and civil actions. • Simplified and limited taxation • Reduced government bureaucracy

Suleyman the Lawgiver Sultan had 20, 000 slaves Acquired due to a policy of Devshirme: Army drafted boys from peoples of conquered lands. They were educated, converted to Islam and trained Janissaries: Elite force of 30, 000 soldiers trained to be loyal to the sultan only. Superbly disciplined, important part of the war machine.

Empire Declines • Sulymen was losing ground – He would kill his most able son – Drive another son into exile – Keep his other sons prisoners cutting them off from the outside world. • Created a long line of weak sultans to rule the Empire and would eventually bring ruin.