RoyalGovnaWatts

This empire has recently peaked my interest. I was wondering if anyone could give an in depth answer as to when this world power started, and when it reached its height, some famous events in history that it was involved with, as well as the leaders/generals, and the downfall of the empire. I believe it fell apart after WWI but how so suddenly did it disappear? Did Britain liberate all the countries it controlled?

Thanks in advance

johnincornwall

My friend you have just asked enough questions for a whole book. There are a lot of experts on this on here (not me), but I think it is a little unfair to ask them to type so much! You need to get yourself a good book, then come back and debate things you're not clear on.

Taking your points though:

The Ottomans were a small clan under the Selyuks: Among those principalities was a tribe called Söğüt, founded and led by Ertuğrul, which settled in the river valley of . When Ertuğrul died in 1281, his son became his successor. Shortly thereafter, Osman declared himself a and established the , becoming the first Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1299

Peak - Most would say under Suleyman the Magnificent I guess, although 1453 to 1683 is sometimes referred to as Pax Ottomana (like Pax Romana).

From memory I think it started it's decline in part after 1683, certainly 'stagnation'. As in many of these things (note Roman) there isn't a fixed point ('collapsed after WWI') but a long, slow and painful decline, going through the Crimean War and finally WWI. States rebelled and became independent (Greece etc), Russia put a lot of pressure on. The article below gives the decline as 1828-1908, followed by a period of 'dissolution'. Not much to do with Britain I'm afraid!!

I dont like referring to Wiki at all, but in this case this may give you a good read to start to know the subject a bit:

RoyalGovnaWatts

I have seen some members post essays on this forum so I don't think they would be plagued with the chore of writing a lengthy response, but instead enjoy it But thanks for your input, I will have a look into this.

DreamWeaver

John is correct, one could write a book in reply, but a trimmed down version will have to do.


1. The Ottoman are named after their founder, Othman/Osman around 1300 taking advantage of the declining Byzantine realm and the weakness of local Turkish rulers. He and his successors conquer and expand. They cross to Europe, bypassing Constantinople and proceed into the Balkans, defeating local Christian rulers and extending their sphere of influence as well as areas directly under their control. 1453 Constantinople falls, and becomes the Ottomans new capital.

2. Its height is really between 1453-1699, it was a world power, capable of fielding vast armies and huge navies, very rich and very powerful, it straddled Europe and the Middle East. It was in these years that it pushed its broders to is maximum, besieging Vienna in 1529 and 1683. Sending fleets trhoughout the mediterranean, attacking Malta in 1566. Most notably under Sueliman the Magnificent. Raiding into bavaria and southern germany.

3. The decline sets in in 1699, having been defeated at Vienna in 1683 and attacked by Prince Eugene they are forced to accept a peace treaty. Thereafter its a case of Western European powers ascendent and off exploring and colonising the world, and the Ottomans slowly crumbling and decaying. No longer the super power as it once was it becomes bullied and forced about by stronger European nations, Russia, Britian, France, Austrias.

4. Collapse after ww1. The various parts that made up the empire had been stripped away or lost in the 19th century. Egypt went independent, then Greece, various Balkan countires, it was no longer capabel of controling its borders and maintaining itself. It was the sick man of europe, slowly dieing. WWI puts strain and pressure on the system, it cant cope, it falls apart. Various sections had been gobbled up or taken away by the victors, and Attaturk comes along and establishes modern Turkey 1923 from its remains.

GalataTurk

Excellent short summary DreamWeaver

RoyalGovnaWatts

Bravo DW

zombie

i just wonder why this topic is in Middle Eastern and African history forum although Ottoman Empire had conquered like %25 of europe?? and even part of current modern republic of Turkey is in europe.

RoyalGovnaWatts

I just think of them as more middle eastern

johnincornwall

Incidentally RGW the rise of the Ottomans had a little hiccup when Tamorlane came calling with his Mongols, after years of mutually insulting letters between him and the Sultan Bayezid I. The huge battle of Ankara saw the Turks defeated, and surviving Ottoman forces ferried to Europe by Italian ships, fearful of the Mongols' next move. Defections among Bayezid's forces, like the Tatars, didn't help.

Bayezid was captured and kept at Tamorlane's court in a small cage. It is said he killed himself by banging his head repeatedly against the bars in rage/frustration/shame. His favourite wife was forced to wait on Tamorlane's guests naked.

After the Mongol threat receded a civil war amongst the Sultan's sons kept the Ottomans weak for about 25 years, giving Constantinople a reprieve for the time being.

DreamWeaver

Because a considerable part of their empire and interactions were in the Middle East, and the Ottoman Empire originated there.

That and its got to be in one or the other forum.