The Ottoman Empire: The Early Modern Era

The Ottoman Empire was founded by Turkish tribes and eventually grew to be one of

Throughout history, many impactful and memorable empires have arisen. Each empire has its own defining traits that lead to its success or demise. Some empires are very similar, while some posses many different traits. And although some can possess the same quality, their implication and utilization of that quality can create many gaps in the empire’s overall similarity to the other. Two powerful and historically important empires are the Ottoman empire, and the Mughal empire. The two empires share many traits, but they also differ in many ways. However, although similar, the Ottoman empire and Mughal empire are fundamentally different because of their view on religious tolerance, utilization of military successes, and women’s rights.

Ottoman Empire Summary The Ottoman Empire had been around for hundreds of years. However it began to weaken. The weakness was from the Ottomans struggle to modernize.

Beginning in the 18th century, many ancient civilizations began to decline including the Ottoman empire and the Qing dynasty. The Ottomans had reached their peak late in the 15th century. The turkic warriors demolished the Byzantine empire and established an Islamic society in much of the Balkans and the Mediterranean. To the east a new Chinese dynasty was emerging in the mid 17th century. The Qing emperors were not of Chinese descent, but were instead a nomadic group called the Manchu that conquered a declining Ming dynasty in 1644. The Manchu adopted many of the Chinese ways and allowed society to continue as it had. Although the decline of the Ottoman and the Qing dynasty had a few key similarities, the conditions of their fall

Sir Thomas Roe, an English diplomat and ambassador to Constantinople once said "The Ottoman Empire has the body of a sick old man, who tried to appear healthy, although his end was near." Definitely, the Ottoman Empire wouldn't stay strong and young forever. Due its fast and rapid success in expanding, having a strong court system, and having an efficient system of taxation, other great powers in Europe felt threatened. After all, if the empire was expanding and gaining much power quickly, it would be unexceptional for it to invade one of these great powers. Europe sensed the Ottoman jeopardy, so countries such as Britain, France, and Italy allied and plans were made to ensure the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

All empires in history had a high in their history but they all eventually came to their demise. The Ottoman Empire and the Ming Dynasty both had ways they gained, consolidated and maintained their power while they were at their highest point. They had significant leaders that lead to these successful points.

The Ottoman Empire came into power in 1301. The Ottomans were able to overthrow the Seljuks and after that they were able to repopulate the city and stay in power until 1922. The Ottoman rulers implemented many systems that were more helpful than harmful and allowed them to have strong loyal citizens. These systems built up their empire in crucial places. The Ottoman Empire had a strong trade and military system with religious tolerance these factors allowed them to stay in power for so long.

The Qing, Mughal and Ottoman empires all had effective administration and victories that allowed them to advance. The Manchu, who ruled the Qing Dynasty, had to assert dominance to control the Chinese people living in the empire, who vastly outnumbered them. They successfully reoriented China after the rocky transfer of power following the previous empire, the Ming. The Manchu had “knowledge of Chinese administration” and a “well organized army” (Bingham, 134), which helped them effectively rule. They made Chinese men shave the front of their heads and wear their hair in long queues, or pony tails (Bingham, 136)” to show control. They made sure Manchu warriors didn’t lose their fighting edge in battle, which was a large part of their identity.

The Ottoman and Mughal empires both used Islam in their culture, economy, wars, and society. It influenced their art, the way they treated non-Muslims, their motivations for war. It is important to note that both empires were influenced differently by their majority religion. However, both the Ottomans and Mughals were heavily influenced as Islam was a major part of everyday life from the art to the bureaucracy.

The early modern era was a time when empires thrived across the globe. The Western Europeans were not the only ones to construct successful empires either. The Russian, Chinese, Mughal, and Ottoman empires added to this phenomenon. Although these empires share many similarities, they also have their differences. During the time, 1450 CE -1750 CE, European empires in the Americas and their Russian, Chinese, Mughal, and Ottoman counterparts are similar in that they all thrived and united diverse peoples and different in that European empires developed something entirely new, an interacting Atlantic World, while the other empires continued older patterns of historical development.

Compare and Contrast the Ottoman and Mughal Empires The Ottoman Empire is a kingdom in Northwestern Anatolia founded during the 13th century by Osman, the Oghuz Turkish tribal leader. It changed to a transcontinental domain after spreading throughout Europe and taking over most of other existing empires within the area, even to Africa. The Ottoman society sustained a stable economy and forces for a remarkable period (17th to 18th century) but lost control after defeat by their rivals in the early 19th century. The Mughal Empire is an empire in India founded during the 15th century through marriage alliances between Persia and Indian Rajput origins.

The Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires were very powerful and well respected in their time. Their rise was attributed to their strong military presence, trade and economic gain, religious tolerance and ideology that rulers should be chosen by ability not class or wealth. Their falls were due to indecent economic dealings, religious suppression, surrounding empires, mistreatment of citizens and an unfortunate series of terrible rulers. The rise of the Ottoman Empire was caused by a few factors including location, a strong military, a strong leader and religious tolerance.

One of the many reasons why the Ottoman culture became a well-organized empire was its social hierarchy system. The Ottoman social class had the commander on top (sultan) and the slaves on the bottom (rayyah) but however, a person’s social level could change anytime, unlike other caste systems in Japan or Britain where people stayed at the same level for the duration of their lives. The Sultan dealt with politics and state wealth. Under the Sultan were the wealthy leaders that defended the empire and ran the military and other offensive expansion

The Turks of the Ottoman Empire were the leaders behind the Armenian Genocide. The empire’s government was close to falling around the time of World War I; the Young Turks being Muslims, they immediately placed the blame on the Armenian Christians for all of their political, social, and economic problems (Morabito). The Ottoman rulers viewed the Armenians as “infidels” and made them do unequal things, such as pay higher taxes than the Muslims. Even though the Armenians were treated unfairly, they went on and about their lives just fine. They were highly more educated than the Turks and happened to be richer as well. This caused a larger dislike of the Armenians, resulting in the Young Turks to be influenced further into getting rid of them.

It is universally acknowledged that society is made up of two parts—the men and the women. The Ottoman empire was no exception. From the 13th century to the early 20th, the Ottoman empire held a central role in the world of global politics, commerce, and culture. They conquered vast lands, spread Islam, and created a rich and glimmering culture. But, one must recognize that women, because they make up half of the population, played an important role in Ottoman society as romantic partners and financial agent; however, women were also dealt the role of being subservient to men.