Chapter 19: Southwest Asia and the Indian Ocean, 1500-1750 (484-509)
Thesis: From 1500 to 1750, Asians and Africans focused on conquering territory, however, stock companies, imperial wealth of monopolies, taxation, and intellectual creativity allowed fundamental luxury to circulate.
I. The Ottoman Empire, to 1750 * After the Mongols, the Muslim Ottomans’ centralized governmental system proved to be somewhat ineffective for long-term control. A. Expansion and Frontiers * Osman, Gallipoli (connection b/t Euro & Asia), and army (Christian prisoners, gunpowder, cavalry) laid foundation for empire; initially focused on Chris. enemies, siege to Constantinople (Mehmed), Red Sea as well; Suleiman the Magnificent attacked Chris Europe, significant because he paved the way for conversions, some more brutal than others * Wanted to control Mediterranean tributary payments after conquer but allowed trading with acknowledgment; Portuguese threats remained unconsidered, as Ottomans cared little for merchant vessels attempting to usurp authority: important because lack of protection signified inevitable vulnerability in the Ottoman future. B. Central Institutions * Christian prisoners slaves/ Janissary from selection/ devshirme: children, language, promising received education, Islam/liberal/military arts produced scholars; cosmopolitan through Osmanli, grammar, vocab used by askeri/ mili. class (also included Jews), important because land grants and tokens of appreciation such as fundamental education were provided to militia * Safavids and Balkans lost often to Ottoman, however cavalrymen retained positions of power, enforcing taxation, campaigns: necessary because order was provided through centralized gov’t. and Shari’a, as studied by ulama C. Crisis of the Military State, 1585-1650 * Cannons,