SAT II World History : Rise of the Ottoman Empire

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Rise Of The Ottoman Empire

For what reason was Ottoman Sultan Selim I (1512-1520) famous, despite his short reign?

Possible Answers:

His conquest of Constantinople, which was owned by the Byzantines

His marriage to courtesan Hurrem Sultan, a Russian slave captured by pirates

His alliance with France at the end of his reign

Massive expansion of the Ottoman Empire, including Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and the Hejaz region (which included Mecca and Medina) 

His conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy in 1515

Correct answer:

Massive expansion of the Ottoman Empire, including Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and the Hejaz region (which included Mecca and Medina) 

Explanation:

Despite his short reign, Selim I is famous for his massive military expansion of the Ottoman Empire, including Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and the Hejaz region (which included Mecca and Medina).

Example Question #1 : Southwest Asia

The Battle of Lepanto is important for __________.

Possible Answers:

preventing further Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean

None of these answers is correct. 

encouraging further Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. 

uniting Christendom and Islam in an alliance against the Barbary forces of North Africa. 

spreading Islam into the heart of Western Europe. 

Correct answer:

preventing further Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean

Explanation:

The Battle of Lepanto (1571) pitted the naval forces of the Ottoman Empire against a combined naval force led by the Spanish Hapsburg Empire. It resulted in victory for the "Holy League" forces of the Spanish and prevented further Ottoman expansion into the Mediterranean. 

Example Question #2 : Southwest Asia

In which European city was the Ottoman invasion of Europe finally repelled?

Possible Answers:

Munich

Athens

Budapest

Vienna

Paris

Correct answer:

Vienna

Explanation:

The rise of the Ottoman Empire was swift. In the fifteenth century, under Mehmet II, the Ottomans conquered Constantinople (now Istanbul) and shortly after pushed up as far as Bosnia in the Balkans (a country north of Greece). The whole of European Christendom began to grow wary and soon terrified of the Ottoman invasion as they continued up through the Balkans into central Europe, conquering modern-day Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, and other areas. But once the Ottomans made it to Budapest, they would struggle to get much further. They were repelled time and again by the forces of Christendom and the Hapsburg Empire of Austria at the city of Vienna or in the surrouding territory.

Example Question #1 : Southwest Asia

Victory at the Battle of Mohacs led to Ottoman control over _______________.

Possible Answers:

Anatolia

Egypt

Hungary

Poland

Arabia

Correct answer:

Hungary

Explanation:

The Battle of Mohacs is a crucial point in the history of the Ottoman Empire, Eastern Europe, and the Kingdom of Hungary. The battle was fought in 1526 between the Kingdom of Hungary, led by Louis II, and the Ottoman Empire, led by Suleiman the Magnificent. It ended in defeat for the Hungarian forces and the loss of Hungarian independence for centuries and the extension of Ottoman rule into Central Europe.

Example Question #3 : Southwest Asia

The conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453 ended the reign of ________________.

Possible Answers:

The Holy Roman Empire

The Abbasid Empire

The Byzantine Empire

The Timurid Empire

The Seljuk Empire 

Correct answer:

The Byzantine Empire

Explanation:

The Ottoman Empire, led by Mehmed II, finally conquered Constantinople in 1453 C.E. bringing to an end the thousand year reign of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire emerged from the Eastern Roman Empire, which survived the fall of Rome in the fifth century. For hundreds of years the Byzantine Empire, and the city of Constantinople, was one of the most power and wealthy places in the world. However, with the Fall of Constantinople, the rise of the Ottomans as the preeminent power in the region was complete and the Byzantines were no more.

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