Ottoman Empire

USST

Ottoman Empire

A powerful empire that ruled the Middle East and North Africa from 1453 to 1918, deriving wealth from cotton cultivation and trade.

Battle of Manzikert (1071)

Ottoman victory over the Byzantine Empire, allowing Ottoman settlement in Anatolia and marking the start of Ottoman dominance.

Osman I

Founder of the Ottoman Empire, originating from Central Asian Turkish-speaking tribes.

Suleyman the Magnificent

Ottoman Sultan known for territorial expansion, cultural achievements, legal reforms, and architectural patronage.

Janissaries

Elite Ottoman military corps of young conscripts using muskets and firearms, crucial for maintaining internal order and supporting campaigns.

Divan

Ottoman Imperial Council advising the Sultan on state matters, including military campaigns, legal issues, and economic policies.

Sharia and Kanun

Dual Ottoman legal system balancing Islamic law (Sharia) and secular law (Kanun) through separate judicial systems.

Siege of Vienna (1529)

Ottoman assault on Vienna demonstrating Ottoman military power and determination to expand.

Millet System

Ottoman system allowing religious communities to govern themselves under their own laws and leaders, promoting social harmony.

Ottoman Navy

Faced challenges from European powers, protecting trade routes and territories in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.