Suleiman: The Golden Age of the Ottoman

Empire

1520-1566

What are the characteristics of a

leader that is considered

“magnificent?

Military Conquests

Conquered Budapest (1526), burned the city, and withdrew his troops

Took over control of N. Africa 1543 took over control of Hungary Expanded east into Persia and south into

Mesopotamia Europeans considered him important to balance

of power – allied with Charles V of France

Suleiman, the Lawgiver

Awarded based on merit Updated and simplified the legal code Crime punishments more focused on fines

than physical punishment Regulation of market and trade

Education

All through the ulema Ulema exempt from taxes – created education

aristocracy Free education to all Muslim boys

Art & Architecture Greatly patronized the arts Istanbul becomes center of

Islamic civilization Series of building projects –

mosques, palaces

Movie: Suleiman, Leader of the Ottoman Empire

Choosing his successor

Woman convinced him to choose her son, Selim

Selim takes over – kills everyone else

The Ottoman Empire Declines….

Why did it decline after Suleiman?

Islamic historians say… Corruption in the government Decreased interest of the government in

popular opinion Began with Selim II, Suleiman’s son

Selim II Didn’t really care about affairs

of government – gave a lot of power to his vizier

“Selim the Drunkard” Never had the training from

Suleiman Relied heavily on Great Vizier –

sets a model Only rules for 8 years

Problems only continue…

Power struggles Rise no longer based on merit Strong European military powers beat back

Ottomans Rapid population increase Creation of new trade routes that bypassed Istanbul Failure to Industrialize

Then you had little thing called World War

I...

Ottoman Empire defeated Turkey officially a country on November 1, 1922