Islam History: The Ottoman Empire

By maywahl
  • Oct 9, 1300

    Osman Leads the Way

    To help win a major battle, Osman Gazi lead his troops and displaced the Seljuk Turks. He became the founder of the new Ottoman dynasty which was later established as the Ottoman Empire.
  • Oct 9, 1323

    Osman Passes away

    Oman Gazi, the leader of the Ottoman Empire dies around 1323/4 from a case of gout.
  • Oct 9, 1323

    The Empire is Passed Down the Line

    Orhan, Osman's son, took over the Ottoman Empire after his father died and eventually overtook Bursa nearly a decade later just as his father had instructed him to.
  • Oct 9, 1335

    The First Ottoman Capital

    In 1335 the city of Bursa in northwest became the first Ottoman capital after Osman and his troops had laid siege on the city.
  • Oct 9, 1360

    Orhan Dies but the Tradition Lives On

    Orhan Gazi ruled for nearly 35 yearly until his death in 1360. He is succeeded by his son Murad.
  • Oct 9, 1389

    Murad Passes the Torch

    Bayezid, Murad's son, take over the Ottoman Empire and becomes sultan.
  • Oct 9, 1400

    One Step Forward Two Steps Back

    The empire is extended from the Danube River in Bulgaria to the Euphrates River in the east. Mongolian raiders stop Bayezid's troops in Turkey in 1402 and take him prisoner. Bayezid dies within the year, and the Ottoman Empire is split among his sons.
  • Oct 9, 1413

    Mehmed Reunites the Empire

    Mehmed, Bayezid's son, fought for control during a civil war in the Empire. He took control and became sultan in 1413.
  • Oct 9, 1421

    Mehmed Passes Away

    Mehmed dies in 1421 and is buried in Bursa.
  • Oct 9, 1421

    Multiple Reigns of Power

    Power shifts between Murad II and his son Mehmed II between the years of 1421 and 1481.
  • Oct 9, 1453

    Mehmed II Rules

    Mehmed II has a reign of power for thirty years from 1451 to 1481. During his reign, Istanbul flourishes. Mehmed II was also known as Mehmed the Conqueror.
  • Oct 9, 1481

    Bayezid II

    Bayezid II becomes sultan from 1481 to 1512.
  • Oct 9, 1512

    Selim I

    Selim I is sultan from 1512 to 1520.
  • Oct 9, 1520

    Suleiman I Reigns

    Suleiman I, became one of the best-known and most powerful leaders of the empire during his reign between 1520 to 1566. He was also known as Suleiman the Magnificient. He conquered pars of western Asia and southeast Europe in his desire to convert people to Islam. The Ottoman Empire reaches it's peak under his rules.
  • Oct 9, 1566

    A Downhill Battle

    After Suleiman I dies in 1566 his son Selim II takes over the rule until 1574. He was not as good of a ruler as his father and the Empire went into a slow decline. He never went to battle and his government was unstable.

  • At Odds with Persia

    Poor leaders continue, reducing the Ottoman threat upon the European world. Fighting begins with the Persians and continues until 1639. The Turks, however, do capture Crete from the Venetians in that year.

  • Failure on the Front

    The Ottomans try to conquer Venice in 1683 in efforts to expand but fail.

  • Get Them While They're Down

    In 1697 Austrian troops pushed into Ottoman territory in Hungary. The Turks are defeated at Zenta and to keep peace they give up much of their land in that region.

  • Stagnation and Reform

    Stagnation and reform of the Ottoman Empire between 1700 to 1827 allowed for the empire to experience significant economic growth.

  • Greece Revolts

    Starting in 1821, Greece revolts against the Ottomans. A long struggle ensues with the Greeks eventually getting help from Britain, France, and Russia. They eventually won their independence in 1830.

  • Modernization

    Between 1827 to 1908 the Ottoman Empire underwent a period of decline and also modernization.

  • Loss of More Land

    Abdul Hamit II tries to instill reforms into the empire, including adding a constitution and a parliament. These reforms fail, however. In 1878 the Congress of Berlin acknowledges the independence of Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

  • A Period of Defeat

    From 1908 until the fall of the empire they continued through a period of struggle.

  • The Balkan Wars

    Though actually two different battles, the goal of the Balkan Wars is to take over the European lands that belong to the Ottoman Empire. Its efforts are successful.

  • The End of a War and An Empire

    During World War I, the Ottoman Empire sides with the Central Powers. They lose the war, and peace treaties cause the empire to dissolve. The Republic of Turkey is established in 1923. Although in power for over 600 years, the Ottoman Empire will best be remembered for its glory years of strong leadership and cultural influences that affected the lands they conquered.

  • The End

    The Ottoman Empire was finally abolished in 1924.