 Ottomans surrounded all lands around, Byzantines controlled the Bosporus Strait, major trade route between Asia and Europe, gave Byzantines great wealth but also split Ottoman empire.  Ottomans ruler, Mehmed II was 21 yr. old and obsessed with breaking through walls of city.  Adopted gunpowder from which nation?  First to use gunpowder weapons i.e. cannons in Europe.  Surrounded city and aimed massive cannons at walls and attacked for 2 months. The city finally fell, Ottoman soldiers flooded in killing and enslaving thousands  “The blood flowed through the streets like rainwater after a sudden storm” – tradition to let soldiers pillage for 3 days  Had Hagia Sophia turned from great Christian Cathedral into Mosque

 What religious changes were made now and why did that matter? TPS  Constantinople became capitol for Ottoman empire and was no longer a Christian center but a Muslim stronghold.  Name would be changed to Istanbul at this time  Ottomans addressed other threats at this time, Safavid Empire in 1514 in Persia crushed, swept through Syria, Egypt, soon after capture Mecca and Medina, the holy cities of Islam.  Suleyman I “Suleyman the magnificent” pushed through Hungary to Vienna, gained control of the North African coast. Domestically overhauled tax system, improved the court system and legal code and had new laws issued to reduce corruption.

RULERBUILDING/EXPANSION OF THE EMPIRE – CH. 18 SECT. 1 OSMAN MURAD II MEHMED II SELIM THE GRIM SULEYMAN

 Two classes in society, Upper privileged ruling class and everyone else.  Non Muslims had to pay heavy taxes and endure restrictions, although only Muslims could serve in the military.  The religions of the book had to form millets, small religious communities.  Cultural diffusion was high and for the most part culture thrived and created a rich Ottoman culture.  Major reason for decline in Empire was the practice of heirs. Sultans would kill their brothers to eliminate rivals. Princes/heirs were usually locked up in the royal palace. What is wrong with this TPS?  By the time he was released to rule had no experience in dealing with governing others etc. Even with weak rulers lasted up until 1900’s

 Separate Islamic society that came in part due to the Sunni and Shia sects/split.  14 years old, Esma’il whose father died fighting Sunni Muslims, took up the sword and lead his father’s followers in battle. Sweeping all of Persia. Took the title of shah – “king” of Safavid Empire  Blended culture of Shiism and Sunnis giving Safavid unique religious state which formed the national culture for present day Iran. Greatest defeat was to the Ottomans in Battle of Chaldiran.

 1588 greatest Safavid Leader Abbas became Shah  Copied the Ottomans by reforming the gov’t, strengthening the military and acquiring modern gunpowder weapons. Also mirrored them by enslaving Russian youth and trained them to be soldiers.  Gained back majority of land lost to Ottomans  Brought in Chinese potters to improve quality of glazed tiles/ceramics, created public spaces with arches and lush gardens, during 1600’s capital Esfahan was one of the world’s most magnificent cities. Dome of Madrasa, combined Chinese tile work with traditional Muslim Calligraphy