The Ottoman Empire: A Timeline of Its Rise and Fall

The Ottoman Empire rose in the early 1400s and lasted until the beginning of World War I in 1914, making it one of the longest-lived empires. It was founded by Osman I, and over time grew to cover most of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia. At its height, it covered about 20 million square miles of land and included a population of around 40 million people from numerous ethnic groups and cultures.

Early Years (1299–1453)

The Ottoman Empire was founded in 1299 by Osman I, a leader of the Turkish tribal group known as the Oghuz Turks. The early years of the empire were marked by military expansion into Europe and Asia. In the 15th century, under the rule of Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottomans achieved their greatest territorial expansion, culminating in the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. However, after this victory, the Ottomans faced continuous challenges to their existence that would shape their future for centuries to come. Following Mehmed’s death in 1481, his son Bayezid II presided over an empire beset with political turmoil and sectarian violence between various ethnic groups vying for power. For much of the 16th century, Bayezid was unable to secure peace or maintain control over his territory.

    

Expansion (1453–1566)

In 1453, Sultan Mehmed conquered Constantinople and declared themselves the rulers of the Byzantine Empire. They continued to expand their territory, conquering the Balkans, parts of Hungary, and Egypt. At its peak, the Ottoman Empire was one of the largest empires in history. However, it gradually declined as a result of major military defeats. In 1821, the Ottoman Empire lost control over Greece and Serbia. Later, Bulgaria rebelled against them. In 1912-1913, the Balkan states won their independence from the Ottomans during a series of wars called the Balkan Wars.

Decline and Fall (1566–1924)

The Ottoman Empire reached its height in the 16th century, but then began a slow decline. This was due in part to the empire’s failure to keep up with the technological advances of Western Europe. In addition, corrupt and incompetent rulers, as well as devastating military defeats, contributed to the empire’s decline. By the early 20th century, the once-powerful Ottoman Empire was a shadow of its former self. Defeat in World War I left it crippled, and just one year later, Turkish nationalists captured Istanbul. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became president of the new Turkish Republic (present-day Turkey) and ushered in major reforms aimed at modernizing his country. Among these reforms were abolishing religious courts and introducing civil marriage. One by one, Atatürk also abolished many relics from the Ottoman past that he viewed as having no value for his people's future. Today, many people remember the Ottomans as cruel oppressors who forced conversions on Christians and Jews. However, many Christians also believe that they saved Europe from Islamization. As we know today, the rise and fall of empires is an unstoppable force that can be shaped by culture or economic factors - or both.