Ottoman perceptions of the Americas

In other topics here at AE, we have discussed the economic and military reasons why the Ottoman Turks decided to "explore" east into the Indian Ocean, in their own small-scale version of the enterprise that European explorers were concurrently carrying on in the New World. 

Edited by Byzantine Emperor - 23-Jan-2007 at 19:59

That's a tough question to answer.

I don't know. It is a possibility that Islam might spread well in North America. If Islam manage to go all the way up to Arctic, I can see the success because Inuits had a belief that evil will triumph eventually, and the world would end. Islam may give them hope.

Originally posted by HeorgltheMad The Ottoman perception would have certainly held that their nation should be first in conquering the new Americas both in religion and ideology. Sunni Muslim theology dictates that the all religious power rests in the imam for the good of the peoples. The imam would certainly attempt to spread Is-lam in the Americas whether by normal conversion through military conquest or subversion. This was also commonly used in pre-modern societies throughout the world. http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H009.htm This link may help in explaining some Sunni Muslim theology as well as other Muslim theology. The Ottoman Turks might have considered the native Americans (at least in the north) to be offensive with their naturistic gods. Ottoman theology probably differed greatly from that of today's Sunnis because of the later emergence of the Mu'tazila and the elitism, often expressed through militantism. In the years of the Ottoman empire, it may have been much more passive because it was still fluidly changing and evolving to what it is today with the kalam. A rigid system of doctrine surrounding the Islamic faith and being ready to make a defense for it.

I don't know about those naturistic gods. Just 600 years ago the Turks worshiped the same gods and alot of those traditions they still used.
But it's true that the Ottomans had become a Muslim empire rather than an empire from CA.


Btw this might come over harsh. But why would they want them to convert.

If there muslim they need to give them Rights.

I think the Ottomans would deal more with the control of the area rather than conversion of the people; because, the transfer of enough Muslim-Turkish people wouldn't be possible. They would use the local elites instead to control the area and maybe would convert these elites (in return, this could give way to the Islamization of some of the people in the long term - AFAIK like in Bosnia, where firstly elites converted and then the common people).

Bosnia is a exception, their belief where close to Islamic sunni (bektashi?) belief, it had more similarities with it so their converting to Islam was much more easier then i think that of the Aztecs (if happend). 

I think if Ottomans reached america's, they would start a system like the janissaries. Converting young children to bektashi sect (Islam with a local paganistic background to avoid a big cultural clash).
They would have eventually setup a vilayet system with a Ottoman pasha on their head.

But all in all, the Ottomans wherent interested in Americas i think, because when the Europeans found america Ottomans had allready filled their treasury and reached what they all wanted. They controlled the main trade routes, the dar-al Islam and they where the Caliph of the whole Islamic people.

Also B. emperor, Jihad can be declared when the Islamic people are being attacked by the non-believers IIRC.


Edited by DayI - 24-Jan-2007 at 09:31

Originally posted by pekau If Islam manage to go all the way up to Arctic, I can see the success because Inuits had a belief that evil will triumph eventually, and the world would end. Islam may give them hope.

Quick note, I am trying to say that Islam might be a convincing to the Inuits since they feel that they are doomed. If Islam missionary spreads the idea that there's hope for Inuits, some may be convinced. Heck, I would go for it.  (Damn it, I should be studying Physics)

Originally posted by Mortaza Related to how aztec react janissaries. will they accept to give their sons? Also If they become muslims, They cannot become jannisary.