History: The Ottoman Empire

This lecture style course will explore The Ottoman Empire which was a state and caliphate that controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia and North Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in north-western Anatolia by tribal leader Osman I. During the 16th and 17th centuries, at the height of its power under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, it controlled most of Southeast Europe, parts of Central Europe, Western Asia, parts of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, North Africa and the Horn of Africa. The Ottomans consequently suffered severe military defeats in the 18th and early 19th centuries, which prompted them to initiate a comprehensive process of reform and modernisation.

In the early 20th century, the empire allied with Germany, hoping to escape from the diplomatic isolation which had contributed to its recent territorial losses, and thus joined World War I on the side of the Central Powers. While the Empire was able to largely hold its own during the conflict, it was struggling with internal dissent, especially with the Arab Revolt in its Arabian holdings. Themes to be discussed will be the conflict between Christian Europe and The Ottoman Empire; The "Sick Man of Europe"; and Turkey and the Middle East.