“Constantinople was put to the sack, but [Ottoman Emperor] Mehmed II was quick to restore order. There was much less damage done than in 1204 . . . partly because there was much less damage to be done. Mehmed II himself ensured the protection of the fabric of St Sophia, which he converted into a mosque. In doing so he turned it into a symbol of the new dispensation. . .”

Question

—Michael Angold
What does this excerpt explain about what happened when the Ottomans took control of Constantinople? What were the geopolitical implications of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople? Use simple words

Answer 1

This excerpt explains that when the Ottomans, led by Mehmed II, took control of Constantinople, they caused less destruction than in a previous event in 1204, when the city was sacked by Crusaders. Mehmed II acted quickly to restore order in the city and made sure that important buildings, like the Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia), were protected. He converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, which became a powerful symbol of the new Ottoman rule.

The geopolitical implications of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople were significant. It marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had been a major power in the region for centuries. The Ottomans gained control over a key city that was important for trade and military strategy. This allowed them to expand their influence into Europe and Asia, leading to the rise of the Ottoman Empire as a dominant power. The conquest also changed the balance of power in the region and emphasized the shift from Christian to Muslim rule, shaping the religious and political landscape for centuries to come.