The Ottoman Empire Essay Example for Free

The Ottoman Empire Essay The Ottoman Empire was a Turkish Muslim empire that existed from the year 1299 to 1922, controlling must of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa at the height of its power during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.   The Empire expanded throughout its history under extremely brave leaders, while its adversaries were weak and disunited. The Ottoman army comprised numerous Christians.   And an important reason why the Ottomans were so successful was that they brought unity among Jews, Christians and Muslims – truly uniting them under the banner of â€Å"People of the Book† as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.    Hence, history informs us that the Jews, too, made significant contributions to Ottoman arts besides participating in the political life of the Ottoman Empire.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Ottomans were masters at building architectural masterpieces.   In modern day Istanbul, evidence remains to reveal the glory of the Ottoman Empire.   The mosque built by Sulayman the Magnificent is one of the greatest contributions to architecture made by the Ottomans.   Then there are many other buildings to reveal the glory.   The Aqaba Castle in Jordan; the Ottoman fortress in Seddulbahir, Turkey; and the Qasr Ibrim in the middle Nile valley are just few other examples of grand Ottoman architecture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ottoman Turks also played an important role in the advancement of science.   Ali Kusco’s contributions to mathematics and astronomy were significant.   Moreover, the Ottomans played a central role in the progression of military technology and capability. In fact, Ottoman maritime arsenals and shipbuilding technology is especially offered as an example of their contributions to the world of technology.   Scholars describe the cannon of Mehmed II; the artillery trade of the Ottoman Empire; the Piri Reis innovation; and the attempts of flight, automatic machines, submarine, and rocket technology in Ottoman history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Scholars further assert that the Ottomans had a deep influence on Europe.   However, Europeans have been shy of describing this influence, given that the Ottomans had conquered many European lands through its superior military capability.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Besides their scientific activities, and interest in architectural design, the Ottomans were deeply involved in the arts of paper marbling, calligraphy, gold ornamentation, miniature, and the making of music.   As a matter of fact, Ottoman music is as an art that was originally produced by the court and folk musicians in military, religious, classical and folk styles. This music has been used in all segments of society, from the Chinese borders to Morocco.   The Ottoman sultans were known to appreciate the music of multicultural artists.   Hence, Ottoman music does not undermine the contributions of the non-Ottoman or non-Muslim artists.   Rather, it presents itself with all of its influences as the most developed, refined, and elite branch of all the Turkish musical traditions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Ottomans had built a very strong form of government, a model for the rest of the world.   Besides, the reign of Sulayman I saw the flowering of Turkish literature, art and architecture – a sign of great success by itself.   After Sulayman, however, the Ottoman Empire began to decay as the clergy and the Janissaries gained power to exercise a profound, corrupting influence.   In fact, corruption is one of the reasons why the Ottoman Empire fell after its rise.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Following the reign of Sulayman I, the Ottoman Empire suffered a naval defeat at the hands of Europe’s John of Austria.   Murad IV in the seventeenth century restored some of the lost Turkish military prestige, nevertheless, by his victory over Persia.   Crete was conquered, and Vienna was surrounded.   The relief of Vienna by John III of Poland and the subsequent campaigns of Charles V of Lorraine, Louis of Baden, and Eugene of Savoy ended in negotiations in 1699, called the Treaty of Karlowitz.   This treaty cost Turkey – Hungary and other territories.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Indeed, the Ottoman Empire had to break up because it was rather difficult for rulers following Sulayman to manage its vastness.   But the end of the Empire actually came when the Ottomans joined the Central Powers to form the Triple Alliance and enter World War I.   The reasons why the Ottomans had sided with Germany were threefold: Germany had pressured the Ottomans to side with it, offered them money and future control over the Russian territory, and also won clear victories during the early part of the War.   Thus, the Triple Entente or Allied Powers declared war on the Ottoman Empire.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Ottoman Empire’s decision to side with Germany eventually cost the Empire its life.   Although the Ottomans managed to win important victories in the early stages of the War, there were setbacks to boot.   In the final stages of the War the Ottomans took Azerbaijan, though they had to give it up at the end of the War.   Ottoman defeat came from a combination of attacks on strategic targets by British forces and the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918.   At this point of time, the Ottomans were facing difficulties on the home front as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Empire was finally partitioned in the aftermath of the War.   The Allied Powers required the Empire to submit to a total partition.   The Middle Eastern territories of the Empire were partitioned under the mandates of Britain and France, the Turkish Mediterranean was ceded to Italy, the Turkish Aegean coast was given over to Greece, and the Turkish straits and Sea of Marmara were ceded to the Allied Powers.