The Fall of Constantinople -1453 The siege 1453of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire and one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world, took place in 1453. Sultan Mehmed II, ruler of the Ottoman Turks, led the assault. The city was defended by, at most, 10,000 men. The Turks had between 100,000 and 150,000 men on their side. The siege lasted for fifty days. The Turks employed various important war tactics in taking over the city. They used huge cannon to destroy the walls, warships were used to the cut the city's sea defense.

They also used an extensive infantry to engulf the city. After using his heavy artillery to form a breach in the wall, the first attack was launched upon Constantinople on a May morning at 1:00 a.m. The screams of the men could be heard miles away. This first attack was led by the Bashi-bazouks. They tried to attack the weakest point in the walls. They knew they were outnumbered and outskilled, but they still fought with passion. After fighting for two hours, they were called to retreat. The second attack was brought on by the Anatolian Turks from Ishak's army. This army could easily be recognized by their specialized uniforms. This army was also more organized than the first. They used their cannons to blast through the walls of the city. By using trumpets and other noises they were able to break the concentration of their opponents. They were the first army to enter the city. The Christians were ready for them as they entered. They were able to massacre much of the army from this attack. This attack was called off at dawn. Before the army was able to gain strength and order, another attack fell upon them. Mehmed 's favorite set of troops called the Janissaries started to attack. They launched arrows, missiles, bullets, stones and javelins at the enemy. They maintained perfect unity in this attack, unlike the other attempts. This battle, at the stockade, was a long tiring battle for the troops. The soldiers fought in hand-to-hand combat. Someone had to give and it will be the Christians. The Turks remembered a port called the Kerkoporta. They noticed it had accidentally been left open by the Christians. The Christian army frequently used that gate to try to penetrate the flank of the Turkish army. They stormed the gate, the Christians will fight hard to try and stop them before completely entering the city. While battles were being fought on land, the Turks were also trying to take control of the sea. Many ships were placed in the Golden Horn and off of the Marmora shore to help siege the city. Many of the soldiers came from these ships to aid the army on land. Once the signal was sent, troops flooded off of these ships to take down the harbor walls and start looting the city.

The City was now completely taken over by the Turks. Mehmed renamed the city Istanbul. To further glorify the city he built mosques, palaces, monuments and a system of aqueducts. The city was now officially claimed for Islam. New rules and regulations came about for the conquered. The Greeks were to form communities within the empire called milets. The Christians were still allowed to practice their religion, but had to dress in distinguishing attire and could not bear arms. So came the end to the great city of Constantinople.

Directions: Answer following questions in complete sentences

1. What is the Main topic of this reading?

2. Write two sentences from the reading, which relates to the Main topic. a)

b)

3. What group of people assaulted the Byzantine City, Constantinople?

4. How did the Sultan Mehmed II and the Muslim Turks break through the city’s walls?

5. What were the Christians able to do to the attacking Muslim Turks during the second attack?

6. Describe Sultan Mehmed II’s attack on Constantinople with his Janissaries troops.

7. What year did the Christians lose the city to the Muslim Turks?

8. What did the Muslim Turks rename the city of Constantinople?

9. Why do you think the Turks were able to defeat the Christians at Constantinople? Support your answer using information from the reading.

Buda

Tunis

Mecca

0______500 miles

As a result of Mongol incursions the Seljuq's The Spread of Ottomam Empire Middle Eastern Empire was weakened and the foundations laid for the later Ottoman Empire. Around 1300, a Muslim Turkish tribe led by its chieftain, Osman, started to expand beyond its original border in the middle east. It became the Ottoman Empire, and was ruled by Osman's descendants in unbroken succession through the 1600s, when it became the greatest empire in the world, and continuing until it was destroyed shortly after World War I. In 1453 at the age of 21, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire, absorbing it into the Ottoman empire.

Answer the following Questions

1) How many Continents did the Muslims Conqure?

2) What direction did Ottoman Empire move toward?

3) What is the farthest city they conquered?

4) How many miles is it to Moscow from Mecca?