Session Eight

The Ottoman Empire

Introduction: The eight session focuses upon the period of the "Ottoman Empire" which takes up through World War I. To understand how the Ottoman Empire came into being, expanded and collapsed we will read an article by Ahmad Fanani entitled "The Ottoman Empire: Its Rise, Decline and Collapse," and review the documentary film The Ottoman Empire. This period is of particular importance because the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the State of Isreal shortly thereafter ushers in the modern era of Islamic influence worldwide.

After having completed the readings for this session and reviewed the accompanying video you may choose - on a purely optional basis - to answer the study questions and submit them at etwimber@hotmail.com or to contact Dr. Wimberley by phone or email to request a time for dialogue about what you have learned. You may do so by phone or dialogue via Skype or Facetime. Dr. Wimberley's phone number is 239.405.4164. We may convene group meetings of the class using the Zoom application on our computers. You can enroll in this course by emailing etwimber@hotmail.com or by texting Dr. Wimberley at 239.405.4164.

Reading: Ahmad Fanani (2011) "The Ottoman Empire: Its Rise, Decline and Collapse," EJournal UMN. Vol 14, No.1, p. 93-109.

Video: The Ottoman Empire

Study Questions:

  1. What was the Ottoman Empire and how was it created?
  2. Who who was the first Caliph of the Ottoman Empire?
  3. What was the "Ottoman system of administration" and how effective was it?
  4. What led to the downfall of the Ottoman empire?
  5. Describe the successful European campaigns of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient (1520-1566).
  6. What was the imortance of the once nomadic Ottoman's adopting urban life?
  7. Who was "Mehmet the Conqueror"?
  8. What impact did new European sea trade have upon the demise of the Ottoman Empire?