HST 198 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Ming Dynasty, Ottoman Empire, Safavid Dynasty
2 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Ottoman empire was the most dynamic empire at that time. It was a conquest state founded by foreign military elite. Not as much basis for a sense of common unity. Few common interests, ties with people and merchants. Regardless of how much wealth someone had, it didn"t change their influence on the imperial government(mostly due to differing religions between the elites and other classes) The ottomans couldn"t pay as much attention to european matters. Ships, seagoing tradition not designed for the north atlantic. They sailed in enclosed or partially enclosed waters, most times. Could sail on the indian ocean because there was a predictable pattern of winds and currents. Huge gap between the masses and ruling elite. Merchants didn"t rank very highly with confucian morals(seen as taking the wealth from the poor) Concern over north and northwest frontier: the horse. But the focus on sailing was too sporadic.
