chapter 7: section 2 the ottoman empire. the early ottoman empire osman around 1300, one muslim...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 7:Section 2
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
The Early Ottoman Empire
Around 1300, one Muslim state was governed by a chief named Osman Osman and his followers, known as
Ottomans, were ghazis- warriors who fought to expand the frontiers of Islam
Conquered and united various lands in Asia Minor which formed the core of the Ottoman Empire
Captured the Byzantine city of Bursa, which they made the Ottoman capital
Rulers and Subjects
All campaigns of conquest were either led by the sultan or directed by him Sultan was the ruler of the Ottoman empire
Succession to the sultanship was hereditary, but no rules determined which prince should be the heir
Princes fought amongst each other for the title and often the winner killed his brothers to eliminate their possible threat to his power
Sultan was advised on state affairs by the grand vizier, or prime minister
Oversaw political system that extended throughout the empire
Headed the governing council called the Imperial Council, or divan, which decided legal and personal complaints
Kind of like this
The Role of Women
The Arabic word harem means “sanctuary” or “sacred place” Referred to the women and the
private quarters of a family hat were their domain
Women of the royal harem controlled political parties, negotiated with foreign power, and acted as rulers in place of their sons
Could make their own economic and social decisions
The Janissary Corps Many different ethnic groups were slaves-
Africans, eastern Europeans, and especially Russians
Some parents wanted their children to become part of the Janissary Corps, for they had the possibility to achieve wealth and power To be a slave of the sultan could be a mark of
honor
Were sent to Constantinople for training before joining the army or a palace school
Learned law, languages, mathematics, literature, and religion, as well as a trade
Were Christians who were converted
Considered the sultan’s personal slaves
Non-Muslims in the Empire Jews and Christians were tolerated in
the Ottoman empire and were not forced to convert to Islam
Organized into partially self-ruling groups called millets Each group’s religious leader was
responsible for the actions of his millet
Ottoman rule was less oppressive and brought peace and stability
Some Jews held positions of great power and held jobs like court physicians, running printing presses, and carrying on international trade