How the Ottoman Empire Influenced the World

The Ottoman Empire is recognized as one of the longest enduring and compelling realms in world history controlling numerous angles of trade and trade routes. The Ottoman empire also known as the “Empire of three continents” captured trade routes from the European trade causing the introduction of “Age of Discovery.” The Empire emerged as it deemed to gain political and financial power following the conquest of Constatinople by bringing a great deal of Muslim territory in Southwest Asia and North Africa below their rule.

Conquering Constantinople sparked European nations to search for new trade routes to the far east, thus beginning the start of the Age of Exploration. The empire not only affected the exploration of land, but it started European Renaissance due to the number of researchers and specialists escaping to Italy when the domain prevailed Constantinople.

The Ottoman Empire blocked the antiquated trade-routes compelling the empire to find unused trade routes. Due to this, the empire obstructed the old routes and obliged the use of the new routes by blocking European access to the area which severely limited trade. On top of that, the empire collected taxes from foreign traders who wanted to utilize the trade routes particularly the trade routes of India. Therefore, traders searched for new routes from Europe to India. Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer who finalized four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean was attempting to discover a modern course to India but ended up finding America.

The set of motives due to the rise of Turks drove men like Christopher Columbus and Henry of Portugal to investigate the obscure world, in this way building up a route to India. Due to many explorations and investigations, the Age of Exploration allowed explorers to learn about Africa and the Americas which significantly impacted the knowledge of geography. Alongside with that, the introduction to the new world of flora and fauna to Europeans led to the discovery of corn. Now in modern times, corn is now a staple of much of the world's diet.

The European Renaissance followed the rebirth in the middle ages changing the entire viewpoint of European culture, finance and craftsmanship. The cause of this was the numerous amounts of researchers and specialists fleeing to Italy when the Ottoman empire conquered Constantinople. Therefore, Europe underwent rapid social changes, creating a foundation for the Age of Exploration. The surge of interest and production of art and literature was heavily influenced by Byzantine refugees, which began the start of ‘rediscovery’ of Greek works on math and astronomy. The Turks in this position created the Renaissance and were considered a dynamic accomplice within the exchange of recommendations with Europe.

Proceeding on, the Greeks work on material science, cosmology, and math began to construct roots within the Islamic World which continued to refine a Platonic understanding of the universe. Due to this, the Arab and Turk doctors continued using versions of Galenos’ works as medical tools. This resulted in Turks introducing firearms and heavy artillery, which revolutionized warfare in Europe, causing the end of the age of castles. Interestingly, the Ottomans assisted in concluding the Renaissance, which then started the Age of Exploration.

In conclusion, the Ottoman Empire sparked many causes that led to different influences changing the perspective of the world till this day. The aspects of trading and trade routes that were controlled and captured trade routes from the European trade caused the start of the “Age of Discovery.” The Empire truly influenced the European world since it allowed the start of European Renaissance which in escalation influenced the social changes. Adding along, thoughts of representation of human development since Ancient Rome allowed the fluidity of ideas changing along with cultural diffusion, creating a boom of social pull and cultural haul. In other words, the Ottoman Empire was truly seen to alter the diverse perspectives of the world.