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