Siege of Belgrade 1456, Battles of Targoviste 1462 & Otlukbeli 1473 DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This video, sponsored by Audible, explores the Ottoman Empire's conquests under Sultan Mehmed II following the fall of Constantinople. It covers pivotal battles such as the siege of Belgrade and confrontations with John Hunyadi and Vlad III the Impaler. The video also delves into Mehmed's conflicts with Turkic powers like the Ak Koyunlu, culminating in the decisive Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473. These events cemented Ottoman dominance in Anatolia and set the stage for future European campaigns. The video concludes with a promotion for Audible's audiobook on Ottoman history.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Ottomans finally captured Constantinople in 1453, marking a significant conquest, but their ambition for expansion continued.
• ⚔️ Mehmed II faced multiple enemies, including Christian and Muslim rivals, leading to conflicts across several fronts, particularly with Serbia and Hungary.
• 👑 The Siege of Belgrade in 1456 was a major conflict, where Hunyadi's forces, including peasants, repelled the Ottomans, causing them to suffer significant losses.
• 💥 Despite breaching Belgrade's walls, the Ottomans were unable to secure the city, and a surprise attack by Hungarian peasants and Hunyadi's forces forced them to retreat.
• 🛡️ After this defeat, the Ottoman advance into Europe slowed, though they continued to consolidate power in the Balkans and Greece.
• 🔥 Vlad III the Impaler led a resistance against Mehmed in Wallachia in 1462, using guerrilla tactics, but was eventually overwhelmed by Ottoman forces.
• 🕌 The Ottomans strengthened their hold over the Balkans, defeating Bosnia and vassalizing the Despotate of Serbia and Morea.
• 🌍 Mehmed faced threats in Anatolia from the Ak Koyunlu under Uzun Hassan, who allied with Venice against the Ottomans.
• 🛡️ The Ottomans secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473, cementing their dominance in Anatolia and weakening regional rivals.
• 📚 The video is sponsored by Audible, offering audiobooks on Ottoman history and other historical topics to enrich viewers' knowledge.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the Ottoman expansion after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453?

The beginning of the Ottoman expansion after the conquest of Constantinople was marked by Sultan Mehmed II's punitive campaign against Đurađ Branković, the ruler of Serbia, in 1454, after Branković failed to pay tribute and assist in the Siege of Constantinople.

Why was Belgrade considered strategically important during the Ottoman campaigns in Europe?

Belgrade was strategically important because it was located where the Danube and Sava rivers merged, defending the southern borders of Hungary. It was one of the best-defended fortresses in Europe, with two sets of walls and a castle.

What was the significance of the naval encounter between Hunyadi’s forces and the Ottoman navy during the siege of Belgrade?

The naval encounter was significant because Hunyadi’s forces successfully broke the Ottoman naval blockade, sinking several galleys and capturing smaller vessels. This victory weakened the Ottoman navy, making it a non-factor in the siege.

How did the siege of Belgrade end for the Ottomans in 1456?

The siege of Belgrade ended in an Ottoman defeat when Hungarian peasants launched an impromptu attack on the Ottoman camp. Mehmed's Sipahi cavalry failed to repel them, and more of Hunyadi’s forces joined in. Eventually, the Ottoman army panicked and retreated, with Mehmed himself wounded and carried away.

What impact did the failure to take Belgrade have on the Ottoman Empire?

The failure to take Belgrade slowed down the Ottoman advance into Europe for several decades. Despite this setback, the Ottomans were still able to consolidate power in the Balkans by conquering Serbia, Bosnia, and Greece in the years that followed.

Who was Vlad III the Impaler, and how did he challenge the Ottoman Empire?

Vlad III the Impaler was the ruler of Wallachia who refused to pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire. He launched raids into Ottoman territories, killing over 20,000 Turks. In response, Mehmed II led a campaign against him in 1462, which resulted in a series of skirmishes and ambushes rather than pitched battles.

What were the consequences of the Ottoman campaign against Wallachia under Vlad III the Impaler?

Although Vlad III inflicted heavy losses on the Ottomans, his forces were eventually overwhelmed, and the Ottomans razed the town of Brăila. Vlad asked for Hungarian assistance but was imprisoned by King Matthias, and the Ottomans continued to assert dominance in the region.

How did Uzun Hassan, the Sultan of the Ak Koyunlu, challenge the Ottoman Empire in the late 1460s?

Uzun Hassan challenged the Ottoman Empire by attempting to control the Karamanid territory, allying with Venice, and demanding lands from Mehmed II. He attacked Ottoman forces in 1472 but was eventually defeated due to the Ottomans' superior gunpowder-based weapons and artillery.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473 between the Ottomans and the Ak Koyunlu?

The Battle of Otlukbeli ended in a decisive Ottoman victory. Mehmed II’s artillery and Janissaries overpowered Uzun Hassan’s predominantly light cavalry force. The Ottomans lost a few thousand men, while the Ak Koyunlu suffered around 25,000 casualties, cementing Ottoman control over Anatolia.

How did the defeat of the Ak Koyunlu at Otlukbeli impact the Ottoman Empire's future expansion?

The defeat of the Ak Koyunlu at Otlukbeli eliminated any major challenges to Ottoman rule in Anatolia for the next four decades. This victory also allowed the Ottomans to focus on expanding their influence into Europe without significant threats from the East.