The Ottoman Invasion
Originally, the Ottomans were just one of many nomadic Turkish tribes
that migrated from the central Asian steppes. Clever and ambitious, they
acquired a great fighting tradition after being introduced to Islam. Their
Gazi warriors were skilled, well trained and successful, inspired by the
belief that they were destroying the Infidel. Acquiring wealth and land,
Ottoman expansion had a serious impact on the European continent and
its people, who feared the virtual downfall of Christendom.
that migrated from the central Asian steppes. Clever and ambitious, they
acquired a great fighting tradition after being introduced to Islam. Their
Gazi warriors were skilled, well trained and successful, inspired by the
belief that they were destroying the Infidel. Acquiring wealth and land,
Ottoman expansion had a serious impact on the European continent and
its people, who feared the virtual downfall of Christendom.
Europeans mounted crusades against them in 1366, 1396, and 1444, but the Ottomans continued to
conquer territory after territory. Along with the Gazi warriors, the Ottomans also used Janissaries,
Christian captives from conquered territories who were educated in Islam and trained for war.
Eventually, they became the elite fighting force of the Sultan, and were rewarded with conquered
land. The Ottoman practice called the "tribute of children", or the Devshirmeh, demanded that every
Greek Christian community, for example, be required to give one son in five to be raised as a Muslim
and enrolled in the corps of Janissaries. Although unwelcome (Greek folklore tells of mothers
crippling their sons to avoid their induction), resistance brought grave consequences, and the practise
nevertheless offered Greek boys the opportunity to advance as high as governor or even Grand
Vizier. Some Greek historians estimate that up to one million Greeks were conscripted into
Janissaries during the Ottoman era.
conquer territory after territory. Along with the Gazi warriors, the Ottomans also used Janissaries,
Christian captives from conquered territories who were educated in Islam and trained for war.
Eventually, they became the elite fighting force of the Sultan, and were rewarded with conquered
land. The Ottoman practice called the "tribute of children", or the Devshirmeh, demanded that every
Greek Christian community, for example, be required to give one son in five to be raised as a Muslim
and enrolled in the corps of Janissaries. Although unwelcome (Greek folklore tells of mothers
crippling their sons to avoid their induction), resistance brought grave consequences, and the practise
nevertheless offered Greek boys the opportunity to advance as high as governor or even Grand
Vizier. Some Greek historians estimate that up to one million Greeks were conscripted into
Janissaries during the Ottoman era.
Under Tamerlan early in the fifteenth century, the Tatars temporarily delayed the
Turkish advances but the Ottomans soon recommenced attacks on Byzantium and
Eastern Europe. In 1444, a Hungarian-Polish army was destroyed at Varna by
Murad the Second, left. In 1453, the year that Gutenberg produced an edition of
the bible using movable type, they seemed almost invincible. When the Turks
captured Constantinople, shock waves swept Europe.
Turkish advances but the Ottomans soon recommenced attacks on Byzantium and
Eastern Europe. In 1444, a Hungarian-Polish army was destroyed at Varna by
Murad the Second, left. In 1453, the year that Gutenberg produced an edition of
the bible using movable type, they seemed almost invincible. When the Turks
captured Constantinople, shock waves swept Europe.
The Kingdom of Hungary was seriously impacted by Ottoman conquest, finally crumbling in the
Battle of Mohács of 1526, after which much of Hungary was placed under 150 years of Turkish
Occupation. Parts of the Hungarian Kingdom were occupied from 1421 until 1718. In 1529, the
Ottomans mounted their first major attack on the Austrian Monarchy trying to conquer the province
of Styria, laying waste to the country.
Battle of Mohács of 1526, after which much of Hungary was placed under 150 years of Turkish
Occupation. Parts of the Hungarian Kingdom were occupied from 1421 until 1718. In 1529, the
Ottomans mounted their first major attack on the Austrian Monarchy trying to conquer the province
of Styria, laying waste to the country.
| The Siege of Vienna of 1529 |
In 1529, the Ottomans had moved up the Danube and besieged Vienna. While
drenching rains made it impossible for most of the Ottoman camels to maneuver,
and many of their soldiers lay ill, the sight of tents as far as they could see still
terrified besieged Vienna. Operational command of the defence was given to a
70 year-old German mercenary named Nicholas, Graf von Salm who had
arrived with 1,000 German Landsknechte, or formidable mercenary pikemen,
and another 700 Spanish musketmen, and would be taking charge of the
garrison of 23,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 75 cannon.
drenching rains made it impossible for most of the Ottoman camels to maneuver,
and many of their soldiers lay ill, the sight of tents as far as they could see still
terrified besieged Vienna. Operational command of the defence was given to a
70 year-old German mercenary named Nicholas, Graf von Salm who had
arrived with 1,000 German Landsknechte, or formidable mercenary pikemen,
and another 700 Spanish musketmen, and would be taking charge of the
garrison of 23,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 75 cannon.
Through various clever maneuvers, the Turks were led to believe they were outnumbered and,
sensing hopelessness, they surprisingly and quickly packed their campsites that night, throwing their
captured Austrian prisoners into the fire. Many Austrian captives managed to escape to the walls of
the city, where ladders were lowered for them; the Viennese still not sure if it was all over. The next
day it snowed, and Vienna's defenders carefully emerged from their fortress;
sensing hopelessness, they surprisingly and quickly packed their campsites that night, throwing their
captured Austrian prisoners into the fire. Many Austrian captives managed to escape to the walls of
the city, where ladders were lowered for them; the Viennese still not sure if it was all over. The next
day it snowed, and Vienna's defenders carefully emerged from their fortress;
By 1570, the Holy League of Venice, the Papal States, Spain and initially Portugal opposed the
Ottoman Empire, and the 15-Year War with Austria (1593-1606) ended with no gains. After a war
with Venice 1645-1669 and at the same time another campaign against Austria 1663-1664, there was
war with Poland in 1672-1676 after Poland beat back a Tatar invasion where Jan Sobieski first
distinguished himself and became the King of Poland.
Ottoman Empire, and the 15-Year War with Austria (1593-1606) ended with no gains. After a war
with Venice 1645-1669 and at the same time another campaign against Austria 1663-1664, there was
war with Poland in 1672-1676 after Poland beat back a Tatar invasion where Jan Sobieski first
distinguished himself and became the King of Poland.
The Turkish soldiers were likewise motivated, not from self defense, but by the rich booty Vienna
offered. Turks were attacking the city in wave after wave, and the situation inside the city became
worse and worse with a scarcity of ammunition and food combined with dysentery. Turks were
shooting with artillery day and night and there were fires everywhere. The people grew terrified and
desperate. On September 5th, rescue was close. Kara Mustapha expected to take Vienna in five
hours, but made several tactical errors. He did not fortify his army or secure the hills of the Viennese
woods. The main battle took place at the hill "Kahlenberg" on September 12, 1683.
offered. Turks were attacking the city in wave after wave, and the situation inside the city became
worse and worse with a scarcity of ammunition and food combined with dysentery. Turks were
shooting with artillery day and night and there were fires everywhere. The people grew terrified and
desperate. On September 5th, rescue was close. Kara Mustapha expected to take Vienna in five
hours, but made several tactical errors. He did not fortify his army or secure the hills of the Viennese
woods. The main battle took place at the hill "Kahlenberg" on September 12, 1683.
Within the Ottomans, infighting developed, and they were plagued with disagreements over
succession, politics and managerial issues However, they still had immense power as they had
gained great wealth by their control over shipping and trade routes that the Europeans needed.
succession, politics and managerial issues However, they still had immense power as they had
gained great wealth by their control over shipping and trade routes that the Europeans needed.
Ottoman expansion in green
Duke Charles of Lorraine gained the victory by undertaking a daring wheeling movement with
doubling and flanking movements. They totally destroyed the Turkish Army and the road to Vienna
was now opened. Rüdiger von Starhemberg had heroically defended the city of Vienna with 10,000
men. From this point on, European confidence grew and the battlefield success of the Turks
wavered. After winning the Battle of Vienna, the Europeans gained advantage and led the reconquest
of Hungary which ended with the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699.
doubling and flanking movements. They totally destroyed the Turkish Army and the road to Vienna
was now opened. Rüdiger von Starhemberg had heroically defended the city of Vienna with 10,000
men. From this point on, European confidence grew and the battlefield success of the Turks
wavered. After winning the Battle of Vienna, the Europeans gained advantage and led the reconquest
of Hungary which ended with the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699.
| The Battle of Vienna |
| Sultan Mehmed IV sent the following declaration of war to Emperor Leopold I.: Graced with the in heaven reigning God, we Mehmet, glorious and almighty Caesar of Babylon and Judea, from orient to occident. King of all earthly and heavenly kings, King of Arabia and Mauritania, born and glory crowned King of Jerusalem, master and ruler of the grave of the crucified God of the infidel. YOU, Caesar of Rome (meant is the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation), and YOU King of Poland, OUR holy word we pledge. May it be known also to all of your followers, that we are about to overrun your little country and bring with us 13 Kings and 1,300,000 troops, on foot and on horseback. We will destroy your little country with our Army of which neither you nor your subjects had knowledge of and stamp out all of them with our hoofs and deliver them to the flames and swords without act of grace or merci. Above all WE order you, to wait for us in your city residence, so WE can behead you; you little kingdom of Poland do the same. We will exterminate you and all of your followers, as you are the lowest creatures of God, as all unbelievers are, and erase you from the face of the earth. WE will expose the big and little to gruesome pains first and than give them to a vicious death. Your little Empire, I will take from you and its entire population I will sweep of the earth. WE will let you and the King of Poland live long enough to witness and until you are convinced, that we have done all what we have pledged. This is done in recognition of the 40th Year of our live and in the 26th year of our almighty reign. |
Christian forces included Duke Karl V von Lothringen with 8,000 men on foot, 12,000 men on
horses and 70 cannons. The Saxons under the command of Duke Johann George III brought 7,000
men on foot, 2,000 on horses and 1,400 men with 16 cannons. The Bavarian Count Max Emanuel
came with 7,500 men on foot, 3,000 on horses and 26 cannons. The Franken and Swabian troops
under Count Georg Friedrich contributed 7,000 men on foot 2,500 on horses and 28 cannons.
Finally, King Jan Sobieski III of Poland arrived with a force of 10,200 men on foot, 14,000 on
horses and 28 cannons.
horses and 70 cannons. The Saxons under the command of Duke Johann George III brought 7,000
men on foot, 2,000 on horses and 1,400 men with 16 cannons. The Bavarian Count Max Emanuel
came with 7,500 men on foot, 3,000 on horses and 26 cannons. The Franken and Swabian troops
under Count Georg Friedrich contributed 7,000 men on foot 2,500 on horses and 28 cannons.
Finally, King Jan Sobieski III of Poland arrived with a force of 10,200 men on foot, 14,000 on
horses and 28 cannons.
The total Christian forces had 75,000 troops and 150 to 170 cannons. The Turks had 30,000 men in
the trenches around Vienna and 107,000 troops and 300 cannons to oppose the Christian armies.
the trenches around Vienna and 107,000 troops and 300 cannons to oppose the Christian armies.
At four o'clock in the morning the Imperial soldiers were praying in a
ceremony in open field. They had been fighting for hours against a powerful
enemy while the Polish King waited on high ground watching. The Germans
unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to move forward and intervene earlier.
Finally, the army was divided into three groups: Imperials and Saxons on
the left wing, Bavarians center, and the Polish taking the right.
ceremony in open field. They had been fighting for hours against a powerful
enemy while the Polish King waited on high ground watching. The Germans
unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to move forward and intervene earlier.
Finally, the army was divided into three groups: Imperials and Saxons on
the left wing, Bavarians center, and the Polish taking the right.
Suleiman the Magnificant, Kara Mustapha
By 1482, the Ottoman Empire had conquered the lands of Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Serbia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina. By 1493, the Ottoman army successfully raided Croatia and Styria, at the same
time starting sea campaigns. Then, starting with the Venetian Republic over maritime control, there
were continuing wars with after the fall of Constantinople, in 1463-1479, and after Cyprus fell to
Venice, in 1499-1503.
and Herzegovina. By 1493, the Ottoman army successfully raided Croatia and Styria, at the same
time starting sea campaigns. Then, starting with the Venetian Republic over maritime control, there
were continuing wars with after the fall of Constantinople, in 1463-1479, and after Cyprus fell to
Venice, in 1499-1503.
Salm had previously ordered 4,000 women, children, and elderly out of the city
with escorts, but most of the group was slaughtered at Traismauer, with many
impaled on stakes and some young women taken to be sold as slaves. This was
a fierce adversary. Now, at the moment of truth, von Salm brilliantly defended
the city and frightened the Ottomans with his cunning.
with escorts, but most of the group was slaughtered at Traismauer, with many
impaled on stakes and some young women taken to be sold as slaves. This was
a fierce adversary. Now, at the moment of truth, von Salm brilliantly defended
the city and frightened the Ottomans with his cunning.
Ottoman casualties were thought to have been around 20,000 to 25,000, many more than those of
the city's, although most of Austria south of Vienna was brutally de-populated. Each man let into
Vienna after the siege was examined for circumcision, believing the Turks had smuggled in spies, and
those that failed the test were hanged. Although the Ottomans continued to instil fear well into the
sixteenth century, internal struggles began to deteriorate the once overwhelming military supremacy
of the Ottoman Empire. The outcome of battles was no longer a foregone conclusion and European
confidence increased as they began to score victories against the Turks.
the city's, although most of Austria south of Vienna was brutally de-populated. Each man let into
Vienna after the siege was examined for circumcision, believing the Turks had smuggled in spies, and
those that failed the test were hanged. Although the Ottomans continued to instil fear well into the
sixteenth century, internal struggles began to deteriorate the once overwhelming military supremacy
of the Ottoman Empire. The outcome of battles was no longer a foregone conclusion and European
confidence increased as they began to score victories against the Turks.
The Ottoman Empire invaded Moldavia in 1538 and took Buda and Pest in 1541. The Ottoman
army of 35-40,000 men was not enough for Suleiman to take on Vienna again, and in 1547 a
temporary truce was signed between the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires. Suleiman with his empire
which expanded greatly both to the east and west was regarded as the most significant ruler in the
world, threatening the heart of Europe itself. A brilliant military strategist and shrewd politician, he
was also a cultivator of the arts. Suleiman's poetry is among the best poetry in Islam, and he
sponsored artists, religious thinkers, and philosophers
army of 35-40,000 men was not enough for Suleiman to take on Vienna again, and in 1547 a
temporary truce was signed between the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires. Suleiman with his empire
which expanded greatly both to the east and west was regarded as the most significant ruler in the
world, threatening the heart of Europe itself. A brilliant military strategist and shrewd politician, he
was also a cultivator of the arts. Suleiman's poetry is among the best poetry in Islam, and he
sponsored artists, religious thinkers, and philosophers
The Great Turkish war started in 1683, with a grand invasion of 200,000 troops marching toward
Vienna, supported by Hungarian noblemen rebelling against Habsburg rule. Another Holy League
comprised of Austria, Poland, Venetians and Russia was formed to stop them. On July 16,1683, the
Turks were standing in front of Vienna's gates again. Horrible stories were told in Vienna about the
people who were not able to escape from the enemy. All inhabitants of the town Perchtoldsdorf were
beaten to death by Turkish soldiers, and in the villages of Lilienfeld, Wilhelmsburg, Hainfeld, and
Türnitz most of their citizens were murdered, while hundreds of women, were kidnapped and taken
to Turkey as slaves.
Vienna, supported by Hungarian noblemen rebelling against Habsburg rule. Another Holy League
comprised of Austria, Poland, Venetians and Russia was formed to stop them. On July 16,1683, the
Turks were standing in front of Vienna's gates again. Horrible stories were told in Vienna about the
people who were not able to escape from the enemy. All inhabitants of the town Perchtoldsdorf were
beaten to death by Turkish soldiers, and in the villages of Lilienfeld, Wilhelmsburg, Hainfeld, and
Türnitz most of their citizens were murdered, while hundreds of women, were kidnapped and taken
to Turkey as slaves.
It was not until later, when the combined Austrian and German forces of the “Empire of German
Nations” under their leaders Karl V von Lothringen, Max Emanuel von Bayern and Ludwig Wilhelm
I von Baden defeated the Turks at Harsany (Harschan) near Mohács in 1686-1687 that the Islamic
threat to the Christian Civilization finally came to a halt. The repulsion of the Turks constituted the
climax of the Turkish Wars and to most Europeans, the salvation of Christianity. To commemorate,
church bells ring daily at noon and six throughout parts of Europe.
Nations” under their leaders Karl V von Lothringen, Max Emanuel von Bayern and Ludwig Wilhelm
I von Baden defeated the Turks at Harsany (Harschan) near Mohács in 1686-1687 that the Islamic
threat to the Christian Civilization finally came to a halt. The repulsion of the Turks constituted the
climax of the Turkish Wars and to most Europeans, the salvation of Christianity. To commemorate,
church bells ring daily at noon and six throughout parts of Europe.
Poland, Saxony, Bavaria, Baden, Franconia and Swabia all answered the call for a Holy League supported by
Pope Innocent XI.to save western civilization. Only the Habsburg's rival Louis XIV of France declined to help,
thus weakening the Emperors forces in the east. Instead, he ruthlessly used the occasion to attack cities in Alsace
and other parts of southern Germany, just as had been done in the Thirty Years' War decades earlier. While the
other troops were bravely fighting the Ottomans, he used the opportunity to greedily annex territories in western
Europe such as Luxembourg and Alsace with Strasbourg. Because of the ongoing war against the Turks, Austria
could not support the interest of German allies in the West.
Pope Innocent XI.to save western civilization. Only the Habsburg's rival Louis XIV of France declined to help,
thus weakening the Emperors forces in the east. Instead, he ruthlessly used the occasion to attack cities in Alsace
and other parts of southern Germany, just as had been done in the Thirty Years' War decades earlier. While the
other troops were bravely fighting the Ottomans, he used the opportunity to greedily annex territories in western
Europe such as Luxembourg and Alsace with Strasbourg. Because of the ongoing war against the Turks, Austria
could not support the interest of German allies in the West.
Ibrahim, the Pascha of Ofen, broke forth upon the Poles and several troops
ran away. Count Ludwig of Baden then attacked with two of his Imperial
dragoon regiments, and succeeded in rolling back the Turkish line of battle.
ran away. Count Ludwig of Baden then attacked with two of his Imperial
dragoon regiments, and succeeded in rolling back the Turkish line of battle.
The conquest of Thrace on the northern frontier of the Byzantine Empire gave the Ottomans the
capital Adrianople in 1366, from which they embarked upon their vast forays into Christian lands,
developing an increasingly larger empire over the next century. After swallowing sizable sections of
the Byzantine territories in Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, by the late fourteenth century Ottoman
expansion into Europe was well advanced. Many European leaders of a large crusading army were
taken hostage at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1394.
capital Adrianople in 1366, from which they embarked upon their vast forays into Christian lands,
developing an increasingly larger empire over the next century. After swallowing sizable sections of
the Byzantine territories in Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, by the late fourteenth century Ottoman
expansion into Europe was well advanced. Many European leaders of a large crusading army were
taken hostage at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1394.