AROUND THE AP WORLD DAY 65: OTTOMANS & SAFAVIDS

Summary

This video script delves into the Ottoman and Safavid empires during the early modern period (1450-1750), focusing on key aspects such as the fall of Constantinople, the Ottoman's recruitment system, their rivalry with the Shia Safavids, and their diverse, multicultural society. The Safavids are briefly mentioned, emphasizing their Shia Islam rule and their conflicts with both the Ottomans and the Mughals. The script provides a concise, engaging overview of these two major empires, offering historical insights while highlighting their influence and enduring legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ottoman Empire dominated the early modern period (1450-1750), particularly after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, marking a significant rise in their influence.
• 😀 The Ottomans were experts in managing a multicultural society, with a focus on tolerance, as evidenced by their acceptance of Jews and Muslims expelled from Spain in 1492.
• 😀 The Janissaries, elite Ottoman soldiers, were recruited through a controversial system that involved abducting Christian children, converting them to Islam, and training them for military service.
• 😀 The rivalry between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire was primarily religious, with the Ottomans being Sunni Muslims and the Safavids following Shia Islam.
• 😀 The Safavids were a smaller empire, wedged between the powerful Ottomans and Mughals, and are significant for being the first major empire to adopt Shia Islam as its state religion.
• 😀 The Ottomans used a system of 'millets,' which allowed various religious and ethnic groups to maintain their own legal systems and cultural practices under Ottoman rule.
• 😀 Tax farming was a key aspect of Ottoman governance, where the right to collect taxes was auctioned off to the highest bidder to ensure steady revenue without expanding bureaucracy.
• 😀 The Safavids fought the Ottomans in a series of nine wars, with both empires constantly clashing over religious and territorial disputes.
• 😀 The Ottoman Empire's territorial reach included significant areas where Europe, Asia, and Africa met, giving them strategic control over key trade routes and cultural intersections.
• 😀 Despite their dominance in the period, the Ottoman Empire began to decline after 1750, with their power waning gradually but not disappearing until World War I.

Q & A

Why is the Ottoman Empire considered a dominant empire during the early modern period?

The Ottoman Empire is considered dominant during the early modern period because of its significant territorial expansion, especially after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and its role as a powerful empire controlling the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa for centuries.

What is the 'devshirme' system in the Ottoman Empire?

The 'devshirme' system was a recruitment method in which the Ottomans would take Christian children from Southeast Europe, convert them to Islam, and raise them to serve in various roles, including government positions or as elite soldiers in the Janissary corps.

How did the Ottomans manage a multicultural empire?

The Ottomans managed their multicultural empire by allowing a degree of religious and cultural tolerance. They utilized the 'millet' system, which gave non-Muslim communities some autonomy to govern their own affairs.

What were the 'millets' in the Ottoman Empire?

Millets were autonomous communities within the Ottoman Empire, typically organized around religious groups, such as Christians and Jews. Each millet had its own leader and could handle its internal affairs while still being subject to Ottoman rule.

Why is the rivalry between the Ottomans and Safavids primarily religious?

The rivalry between the Ottomans and Safavids was primarily religious because the Ottomans were Sunni Muslims, while the Safavids followed Shia Islam. This theological difference led to numerous conflicts between the two empires, including nine wars during the early modern period.

What role did the Safavids play in the development of Shia Islam?

The Safavids were the first major empire to be ruled by Shia Muslims, and they played a critical role in establishing Shia Islam as the dominant sect in Persia (modern-day Iran). Before them, Shia Islam had been a minority sect.

How did the Ottomans treat non-Muslim communities in their empire?

The Ottomans were relatively tolerant of non-Muslim communities and allowed them to maintain their religious practices and some level of self-governance. For example, they accepted expelled Jews and Muslims from Spain after 1492.

What is tax farming in the Ottoman Empire?

Tax farming in the Ottoman Empire was a system where the right to collect taxes in a region was auctioned off to the highest bidder. This ensured a steady flow of income without the need to expand the bureaucracy, though it often led to inefficiencies and corruption.

Why is the fall of Constantinople in 1453 significant for the Ottomans?

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a pivotal moment for the Ottomans because it marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and solidified the Ottomans as a major power in the region, giving them control over a critical hub of trade and culture.

What was the College Board's focus on the Ottoman Empire in early modern history?

The College Board emphasizes the Ottoman Empire in early modern history due to its long-lasting influence and dominance in the region. The empire is mentioned frequently in AP World History exams, underlining its importance compared to other empires like the Safavids.