THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Before the Middle East became the Middle East What is the Ottoman Empire? The Ottoman Empire began in present-day Turkey. At one time, it was six times the size of Texas. At its most powerful, the Empire was six times the size of Texas. The Ottoman Empire 1299 The Ottoman Empire begins in modern-day Turkey 1451 The Ottomans rule a majority of the cities in the Middle East and Europe. 1453 The Ottomans establish the capital of Constantinople in present-day Turkey. 1500 The Ottomans gain control of the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and major trade routes. 1520 Ottomans capture Mecca and Medina. 1800s The Ottoman Empire begins to decline and is known as the sick man of Europe. 1914 WWI begins. 1918 The Ottoman Empire ends. 1920 Europe divides up the Ottoman Empire. The division is part of the Treaty of Sevres. Naaaah, they will just get along perfectly, I think. Should we divide these into countries based on ethnic groups? Youre going down Sunni!! No, youre going down Shia!! Dividing Up the Ottoman Empire Europe paid little attention to ethnic, religious, and tribal lines when they drew the Middle East. The people of the Middle East were grouped together based on the ideas of the Europeans instead of what the people of the Middle East wanted. The Middle East Today 2 Heads Are Better than One Why do you think the Europeans divided the Middle East? The Europeans were interested in a newly discovered resource, oil, and wanted to expand their colonies. How do these political borders affect the Middle East today? The political borders cut across ethnic lines and mix together groups, creating conflict. A Re-imagined Middle East 1923 Turkey emerges from the remains of the Ottoman Empire.