Part 49

Learn about the Ottoman Empire's decline in Civilization V, from Suleiman's reign to its collapse after World War I.

Suleiman's repeated invasions of Iran were hampered by supply issues, leading to the establishment of permanent eastern borders in 1555, with the Empire retaining Iraq and Eastern Anatolia but ceding claims to Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. At its zenith, the Ottoman Empire was a formidable military and economic force, profiting from trade routes between Europe and the Far East, which spurred European exploration to find alternative routes.

Over the subsequent centuries, the Empire underwent a gradual decline. By the mid-to-late 16th century, the Janissaries had gained significant influence in Istanbul, and corruption grew as the position of grand vizier became more powerful than the sultans. Power shifted from the harem (1570-1578) to the military (1578-1625). The empire's vast size made effective rule challenging, leading to increasing anarchy. Economic collapse ensued due to corruption and external trade pressures, resulting in rampant inflation during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Despite internal weaknesses, the Empire remained a significant international power, expanding to include Tunis, Fez, Crete, Azerbaijan, and parts of the Caucasus. However, a failed siege of Vienna in 1683 by Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasa, repelled by Polish King Jan Sobieski, emboldened European forces. A coalition of the Habsburgs, Venetians, and Russia, supported by France, Britain, and the Netherlands, eventually defeated the Ottomans. Over the next century, the Ottomans were pushed back to the Danube by 1792, losing territories held for nearly two centuries, followed by the loss of the northern Black Sea coast, Caucasus, southern Ukraine, and Crimea.

In the mid-19th century, sultans initiated modernization efforts in the army, government, and education, facing resistance and financial constraints. By the 20th century, educational institutions had expanded, and military colleges were established. A brief parliamentary experiment was abandoned.

In 1909, the Young Turks led a revolt, restoring parliament and leading to a military-backed government. In 1914, the Ottoman Empire joined World War I with the Central Powers. They successfully defended the Dardanelles against the British Empire but fought on multiple fronts. The war concluded with an Armistice on October 30, 1918. The victorious Allies dismantled the Empire, dividing North Africa, Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia Minor, leaving the Ottomans with only Istanbul and a portion of Thrace.