Ottoman Empire

What occurred after the fall of Constantinople and what was its name changed to? Using knowledge we have learned prior, what was significant about the location of this city?

After Constantinople fell, the Byzantine Empire's reign ended. The city was then renamed Istanbul, which meant "the city of Islam". The location was significant because it then became a dominant international center of trade and culture.

Describe the transformation of the most notable cathedral within the Ottoman Empire?

After Constantinople was seized, the Ottoman's transformed many churches into mosques.

What event occurring in Europe, ultimately led to the downfall of Ottoman Empire?

Starting in the 1600s, the Ottoman Empire began to lose its economic and military dominance to Europe. Around this time, Europe had strengthened rapidly with the Renaissance and the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Other factors, such as poor leadership and having to compete with trade from the Americas and India, led to the weakening of the empire.

Describe how the Ottoman Empire was created and for whom the Empire was named for?

The Ottoman Empire was named for Osman I, a leader of the Turkish tribes in Anatolia. The word Ottoman is derived from his name. The Empire was founded around 1299. They later expanded their territory. First in 1453, the Ottoman's seized the ancient city of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire's capital.

Different religions were tolerated within the empire however a system known as the millet system was used. what was this system and how was it used?

The millet system was a community structure that gave minority groups a limited amount of power to control their own affairs while still under ottoman rule. Some millets paid taxes, while others were exempt.

A large majority of Sultans lived in royal palaces called what? How were they laid out and what was always a constant danger?

The palaces were called Topkapi and contained dozens of gardens, courtyards and residential and administrative buildings.Part of the Topkapi palace included the harem, a separate quarters reserved for wives, concubines and female slaves, all meant to serve the Sultan. The threat of assassination was always a concern for a Sultan so he relocated every night as a safety measure.

What was significant about the Siege of Constantinople? How long did it take for the city to fall? Describe how and what city was captured that cemented the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

The siege of Constantinople marked an end to the 1,000-year reign of the Byzantine Empire. Additionally, the city became the new capital of the Ottoman Empire, renamed Istanbul, and became a dominant international center of trade and culture. The seizing of this city was the first act of expansion for the Empire. However, the Ottoman Empire did fall in 1922.

The 14th century saw the creation of the devshirme system within the Ottoman Empire. What did this system entail and primarily what kind of solider was produced from this?

The system required conquered Christians to give up 20 percent of their male children to the state. The children were forced to covert to Islam and become slaves. Many were trained for government service or the Ottoman military. The elite military group, known as the Janissaries, was primarily made up of forced Christian converts.

In order to maintain the royal lineage of the Sultan, this system was put in place to ensure proper hierarchy was maintained. What was it called and describe how it was carried out?

The system was called Fratricide, murder of brothers. It was a new policy emerged. When a new Sultan was crowned, his brothers would be imprisoned. When the Sultan's first son was born, his brothers and their sons would be killed. This system ensured that the rightful heir would take the throne. Later the prisoners would just be imprisoned rather than killed.

Science and medicine were important subjects studied in the Ottoman Empire. What services can the medical world thank the Ottomans for creating? (at least three)

They invented surgical instruments such as forceps, catheters, scalpels, pincers, and lancets.