Changes

The [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]] gained power by overthrowing the [[Byzantine Empire]], a process that took a century and finished in 1453. That year they captured the Byzantine capital of [[Constantinople]] and renamed it [[Istanbul]].

The [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]] gained power by overthrowing the [[Byzantine Empire]], a process that took a century and finished in 1453. That year they captured the Byzantine capital of [[Constantinople]] and renamed it [[Istanbul]].

The Ottoman Empire continued to militarily force their way into south eastern Europe.  Its failure in the [[Siege of Malta]] (1565) and defeat at the [[Battle of Lepanto]] (1572) were the turning points in its expansion in the Mediterranean.  During this period, a strengthening Muscovy ([[Russia]]) was winning Muslim territory and pushing at Ottoman borders. As Europe continued to make heavy military strides in the following centuries, the Ottoman Empire began to lag and lose status as a major power.  Wars with Russia became frequent in the later part of its existence, with the Russians often getting the better of the engagements.

The Ottoman Empire continued to militarily force their way into south eastern Europe.  Its failure in the [[Siege of Malta]] (1565) and defeat at the [[Battle of Lepanto]] (1572) were the turning points in its expansion in the Mediterranean.  During this period, a strengthening Muscovy ([[Russia]]) was winning Muslim territory and pushing at Ottoman borders. As Europe continued to make heavy military strides in the following centuries, the Ottoman Empire began to lag and lose status as a major power.  Wars with Russia became frequent in the later part of its existence, with the Russians often getting the better of the engagements.[[File:Suleiman1.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]

 

 

==Wars with Russia==

==Wars with Russia==

The peace treaty of Constantinople (1700) confirmed the victory of Russia in the Russo-Turkish war of 1686-1700. As a result, Russia annexed an important section of the steppe north of the Black Sea (including the fortresses and ports of Azov and Taganrog). However, even though a Russian naval fleet was present in the Sea of Azov, the strategic Kerch Strait remained under Ottoman control, blocking Russian access to the Black Sea, which remained an Ottoman domain.  Under the circumstances, the entire period of Russian-Ottoman peace between 1700 and 1710 was tense. Turning to good advantage the involvement of Russia in the Northern War of 1700-21, the Porte launched and won the Russian-Ottoman war of 1710-11. Defeated, Russia was obliged to restore to the Porte the territories annexed in 1700. Russia finally gained its much-coveted access to the Black Sea only in 1774, by the Russian-Ottoman peace treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji.   

The peace treaty of Constantinople (1700) confirmed the victory of Russia in the Russo-Turkish war of 1686-1700. As a result, Russia annexed an important section of the steppe north of the Black Sea (including the fortresses and ports of Azov and Taganrog). However, even though a Russian naval fleet was present in the Sea of Azov, the strategic Kerch Strait remained under Ottoman control, blocking Russian access to the Black Sea, which remained an Ottoman domain.  Under the circumstances, the entire period of Russian-Ottoman peace between 1700 and 1710 was tense. Turning to good advantage the involvement of Russia in the Northern War of 1700-21, the Porte launched and won the Russian-Ottoman war of 1710-11. Defeated, Russia was obliged to restore to the Porte the territories annexed in 1700. Russia finally gained its much-coveted access to the Black Sea only in 1774, by the Russian-Ottoman peace treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji.