Ottoman Empire Chart Answers

The Ottoman Empire (1600)

Military Powerful cannons Janissaries were the best infantry (foot soldiers) in the world at the time Powerful sultan (leader) expanded borders and conquered large areas

Cultural Turks were Sunni Muslims and were dominant claimed to be the center of the Islamic World (controlled Mecca and Medina) Turks were tolerant of most other religions and minorities Changed name of the capital from Constantinople to Istanbul

Political Strong legal code was based upon Islamic law Centralized government Government appointed governors ruled over conquered territories Efficient civil service (government workers) Civil service was based upon merit (prove that you can do the job and not who your family is)

Economic Controlled trade routes between Europe and Asia Held and controlled excellent agricultural lands Farmers and business people paid taxes Business and trading were important

Social Strict division of society into classes Earlier tolerant of different religions and minorities Christian slaves were converted to Islam and served in the government and military Persecuted Shia or Shiite Muslims

Reasons for Decline Many military failures Weak and corrupt sultans Lost control of the trade routes Refused to modernize Tolerance for other minorities and religions ended Lost military control of territories