The World in 1500 What are the big superpowers of the day and why should I care? .

The World in 1500What are the big superpowers of the day and why should I care?

http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/03/world_populatio.html

World Population 1500 World Population 2050

Our World The big idea is for you to know how much the Europeans changed the world in the 1500s

but first...

you have to know what that world was like in order to understand that big change the Europeans wrought

Our World We will discuss the major trade, political forms, and society of:

* Ottoman Empire

* Mughal Empire

* Safavid/Persian Empire

* Chinese Empire

* Songhai Empire

* Aztec, Mayan, Incan Empire

But first, let’s talk about rose petals and drug trade

Exploring the world, men of 1500 knew of the....

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Please sit on geometric rug

Ottoman EmpireThe largest empire of it’s time.Stretches over 3 continents! For 600 years! They controlled the spice trade.

Capitol Istanbul

they took over the Byzantine Empire, renamedConstantinople to Istanbul, spread to the Balkan peninsula and to North Africa! 600 years!

Ottoman Empire

In the 1500s, the Ottoman Empire was the largest in the world.

Suleyman the Magnificent

The most memorable leader and ruler

It was an empire inspired and sustained by Islam, and Islamic institutions.

Ottoman Empire

The Sultan’s staff in his kitchens numbered 1300 people...often preparing great cuisine like salads with rose petals for 1000 people at dinner

Ottoman EmpireSuleyman the Magnificent

The most memorable leader and ruler

Major player in world trade

Gateway b/w Europe and Asia. Gateway to Silk Road trade.

Coffee Ceramics

ilovecoffeebook.com travelatelier.com

Ottoman Recipe For SuccessHighly centralized administrative structures

Power was always transferred to a single person, and not split between rival princes (The Ottoman Empire was successfully ruled by a single family for 7 centuries.)

Promotion to positions of power largely depended on merit/worth

Encouraged loyalty from other faith groups

Very strong military

Ottoman Janissaries - the first standing army of the Ottoman Empire; specially trained troops; bodyguards to the Sultan.

Originally recruited from Christian citizens of the Empire who converted to Islam. They were specially trained and received salaries. Became a unique social class - the gentry of the Empire.

They could become the grand vizier- the Sultan’s powerful chief minister and military deputy.

How Come They Were So

Successful?

The Suleyman Mosque in Istanbul. At the height of the Ottoman Turkish Empire's power in the 16th century, Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent ordered the construction of this mosque. Surrounding the place of prayer is a great complex of buildings that house schools, a library, a Turkish bath, a public kitchen, a caravanserai, a hospital and shops. This mosque was designed by the architect Sinan the Great and built in the years 1550 to 1557 A.D.

The Suleyman Mosque in Istanbul.

http://fletcher.tufts.edu/swaic/images/suleyman_mosque.jpg

http://www.travel-images.com/turkey100.jpg

Islamic faith does not allow the human representation of Allah. His glory is portrayed in more intricate geometric patterns.