Among the main characteristics of the Ottoman Empire they emphasize their monarchical government, Islam as their official religion and their wide eagerness to expand. The Ottoman Empire was a Turkish state led by the Osmanlí dynasty.
This empire was characterized by its ambition and readiness to battle. It dominated a vast territory that was extended since its foundation in 1299, and was defeated in 1923.
At its peak the Ottoman Empire was a great power. Its maximum splendor was during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. At this time they occupied part of North Africa, Southeast Europe and the Middle East.
In 1453 the Ottomans attacked Constantinople. Emperor Constantine XI died in battle and took the city. This represented the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
Constantinople became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. From the beginning of 1600 this empire began its decline.
There were revolts that caused the loss of many territories. Others were ceded through treaties and others were lost in battle.
The empire gradually dwindled until it was overthrown. Its definitive fall was a consequence of various circumstances.
But it was the sum of the Arab rebellion of 1916 and the defeat in the First World War what gave the final blow. Later it became the current Republic of Turkey.
The 4 main characteristics of the Ottoman Empire
1- Government and political-territorial organization
The state of government was monarchical. The Osmanlí dynasty officially began when Murab I proclaimed himself Sultan, in 1383.
At its peak, it was divided into 29 provinces. In addition, it had the states Crimea, Moldova, Transylvania and Valaquia as vassals.
2- Religion
The religion official was Islam. However, they were not characterized as being intolerant. Within the empire they coexisted with Catholicism and Judaism.
Certainly those outside of Islam had to pay higher fees in their taxes, but there was no open policy of intolerance.
In the beginning they were strict in following religious regulations. But the clergy became corrupted to the extent that he became involved in politics.
3- Economy
This empire was characterized as a farmer and rancher. This meant that the empire was self-sufficient in food.
It also produced enough raw material to manufacture clothing and utensils necessary for daily life.
Its strategic position made it the bridge between the east and the west. For this reason, its main economic activity was the export of its own products. They also successfully activated the shipping industry.
4- Expansion
Every empire aims for growth through expansion, but the Ottoman Empire was especially hungry for more territories. It is presumed that the main reason for the constant need for expansion was religious.
Islam requires its believers to spread their faith and convert the infidels. Based on this it is logical to think that this was the reason for his haste. In fact, they were responsible for the expansion of Islam in North Africa.
The expansion was so voracious that it set off the alarms of the Christian kingdoms of Europe. It was for the Ottomans that the crusade of Sigismund of Hungary was organized.
5- Language
The Ottomans had several influential languages: Turkish, spoken by most people in Anatolia and by most Muslims in the Balkans except in Albania and Bosnia; Persian, only spoken by people with more education; Arabic, spoken mainly in Arabia, North Africa, Iraq, Kuwait, the Levant and parts of the Horn of Africa; and Somali throughout the Horn of Africa.
6- Culture
The Ottomans absorbed some of the traditions, art and institutions of the cultures in the regions they conquered, and added new dimensions to them.
Numerous traditions and cultural traits of previous empires (in fields such as architecture, gastronomy, music, leisure and government) were adopted by the Ottoman Turks, resulting in a new and distinctive Ottoman cultural identity.
Intercultural marriages also played a role in the creation of the characteristic Ottoman elitist culture.
Decline of the Ottoman Empire
After the death of the regent Suleiman the Magnificent began the fall of the empire. The war threats were increasing and military figures began to have more and more power.
Military intervention in the government was allowed by a series of submissive or corrupt rulers who followed Suleiman.
Little by little the empire was decaying. The decision that sealed his fate was to participate in the First World War.
The Ottoman Empire was part of the allies, along with the Astrohungarian Empire and the German. The defeat of the Triple Alliance represented the end of the Ottoman Empire.
The territories belonging to it were divided and became what is now the Republic of Turkey.
References
- Ottoman Empire. (2004) encyclopedia.com
- Characteristics of the Ottoman empire. (2017) coursehero.com
- Ottoman empire. (2017) britannica.com
- The Ottoman Empire (2008) laguia2000.com
- 10 characteristics of the Ottoman Empire. (2017) caracteristicas.co