Slavery

Yesterday was our big discussion on The Imperial Harem. One of the most controversial issues we discussed was slavery. Its interesting to compare slavery of the Americas and Slavery in the Ottoman Empire. I tend to feel that the only reason we compare the two is because of the term "slavery." The slavery in the Americas was different than the slavery in the Ottoman Empire. Yes both were technically against the will of the two parties, but the situations of the two were completely different. The slavery in the Ottoman Empire was a life of luxury and opportunity. Even though it was required for these women to live in the Harem and do their duties there it allowed for success and opportunity. If these women were capable of receiving education and wealth then it doesn't seem so bad to me. Looking at the slavery in the Americas there was no opportunity for luxury or advancement in society. Everything in American slavery was forced labor and much harsher conditions than those of the Ottoman Empire. I don't believe they are comparable, yes they were both called slavery but I find it hard to believe that these women were very upset about being in the Harem. These women did it for their children as well. I think slavery is the wrong term for the women of the Harem, maybe another term would be more accurate for their situation.

Success

When we talk about the Ottoman Empire we usually talk about all the things they did differently than other empires in history. I think some of these things really contributed to its extended success. Something that I find very interesting was their idea of tolerance. At this time period who would think that an empire would come in and take over rule, but not force people to change their ways of life. Not changing their religion may have kept the successful times for the Ottoman Empire. Of course Islam was the first and most powerful religion in this society but they did not force it on Christians and Jews. I also think it is interesting how the Millets worked in society. Each religion had their own courts and depending on who had conflicts a certain religious court was chosen to deal with them. This is extremely groundbreaking, not having the Muslim courts rule over every conflict really helped allow the other religions of the empire to feel they could have an impact on their own lives even though they have been over ruled by the Ottoman Empire. Its really interesting to see the successful things the Ottoman Empire accomplished, and to see other empires make mistakes that they could have learned from other empires before their time. 

The Start of the Ottoman Empire

In class we talked about the three conditions to the uprising of the Ottoman Empire. Those conditions being the migration westward to where the empire would be set up, the Mongol Invasion, and the Crusades. Whenever we talk about history and the events of the past I always tend to think how things would be now if something were different in history. Take the three conditions for example. How would the empire and the Middle East look now if any one of these three conditions happened differently, or not at all. It could have changed the entire complexion of the geographic region, and even the people who live there now.  Think about The Battle of Nanzikert (the Seljuqs vs. the Bizentyne Empire). Lets just say that the Bizentyne Empire prevailed and stood for "x" amount of years more. Who knows what that empire could have accomplished for good, or destroyed for the worst. The whole Middle East, and even the world would be so much different then it is today. This would mean that the Ottoman Empire would not begin in 1299. I guess it may be pointless to think about these things seeing as it has already happened and the world is how it is. But just keep in mind how the smallest detail could alter history.