The Ottomans and The Safavids - Mr. Testa's Web...
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The Ottomans and The Safavids Both nomadic, Turkic-speaking in origin. Ottoman Empire centered around Anatolia and much of SE Europe. Sunni Muslims. Ottomans spoke Turkish. Safavids had their capital at Isfahan in modern-day Iran. Shi’ite Muslims. Safavids spoke Farsi.
Transcript of The Ottomans and The Safavids - Mr. Testa's Web...
The Ottomans and The Safavids
Both nomadic, Turkic-speaking in origin. Ottoman Empire centered around Anatolia and much of SE Europe.
Sunni Muslims. Ottomans spoke Turkish.
Safavids had their capital at Isfahan in modern-day Iran. Shi’ite Muslims. Safavids spoke Farsi.
The Ottoman EmpireHad their capital at Constantinople. Renamed Istanbul. Political, religious, and cultural center of the Ottoman Empire. Ethnically and religiously diverse kingdom.
Muslims, Christians, Jews, Greeks, Franks, Armenians. 16th century saw expansion from their Anatolian heartland.
Heightened military professionalism enabled the Ottomans to expand and administer their empire.
Cavalry was the backbone, built a successful navy. Well versed in gunpowder weapons (muskets/cannons).
Slave SoldiersSlaves were an important part of the Ottoman military. Enslaved Christian youth, trained them to use guns, and became elite members of the Ottoman military.
“Elite slaves” were seen as more loyal; very important to central administration.
Sultan SüleymanConsidered the “Magnificent” and the “Lawgiver”.
Expanded the Ottoman’s reach. Brought peace and stability to the realm. Promoted based off merit. Religious freedom given to loyal, tax-paying groups.
The Safavid Dynasty
Challenged Ottoman power; established Shi’ite Islam as the state religion in Iran. Early rulers imposed Shi’ite Islam on their subjects.
Shah Abbas IBuilt the capital at Isfahan, containing 500,000 residents. Created a long stable period in Safavid history. Boosted the economy of the kingdom as well.
Safavids and Europeans had a common enemy: The Ottomans. Abbas sought out European alliances in their struggle with the Ottomans.
Upon his death in 1629, the Safavids went into gradual decline.
The Safavid legacy is still seen in the prevalence of Shi’ite Islam in Iran and the surrounding area.
Ottoman Persistence
While the Safavids collapsed, the Ottomans kept going. Administrative reforms made the line of succession strong. More defensive than expansionistic in foreign affairs. Very expensive to protect their frontiers during the “Gunpowder Revolution”. Would not collapse until after World War I
