The Ottoman History
The Ottoman Empire ruled a large part of the Middle East and Europe during the 14th through 20th centuries. At its height, it was one of the greatest powers in the world. However, like most empires, it suffered slow and ultimately fatal decline. The final collapse came in the form of World War I and rebellion from its own people.
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Rise
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Around 1300, the patchwork Turkish states found themselves divided. A Ghazi emirate, Osman I, rose to power over the states and pushed his power to the edge of the Byzantine Empire. Deriving its name from this leader, the Ottoman Empire was born.
Expansion
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By the late 1300s, the Ottomans had pushed across the Mediterranean and into the Balkans. The greatest battle of this era was fought in Kosovo. The Ottoman victory spelled the end of the Byzantine Empire and Serbian independence for centuries.
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Military Conquest
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In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. This defined the empire as the preeminent power in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Following this victory, the Ottoman conquests continued throughout Europe and North Africa.
Decline
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By the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire was in decline. Much of its European land was ceded to the Austrian Empire. In addition, its African conquests were taken over by British and French rule. This situation proved even more dire, as the empire entered into a protracted series of wars with Russia that would last through the 19th century.
Fall
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The Ottoman Empire faced a number of challenges in the early 20th century. Ultimately, it entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers and became embroiled in war against Russia and Britain. However, the Arab Revolt of 1916 ultimately spelled the end of the Ottomans. The empire was dissolved and brought rise to the Turkish Republic.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Fausto Zonaro, (1854-1929)
