Great Turkish War facts for kids
The Great Turkish War was a big conflict that happened between the Ottoman Empire and a group of European countries called the Holy League. This war lasted for many years, from 1683 to 1699. In the end, the Holy League won.
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What Was the Great Turkish War?
The Great Turkish War was a series of battles between the Ottoman Empire and a group of European powers. The Ottoman Empire was a very large and powerful empire that controlled much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Holy League was an alliance formed by several Christian European countries to fight against the Ottomans.
Who Was Involved?
The main groups fighting in this war were:
- The Ottoman Empire: This was a powerful empire ruled by a Sultan. At the start of the war, Mehmed IV was the Sultan, and later Mustafa II took over.
- The Holy League: This alliance included:
* Habsburg Empire (Austria): A powerful European empire that controlled Austria and other lands. * Poland-Lithuania: A large kingdom in Eastern Europe. * Venice: A wealthy city-state in Italy with a strong navy. * Russia: A growing empire in Eastern Europe.
Why Did the War Start?
The main reason the war started was the Ottoman Empire's desire to expand its territory further into Europe. They wanted to capture the important city of Vienna, which was the capital of the Habsburg Empire. This ambition led to a major conflict.
Key Events of the War
The war saw many important battles and sieges across different parts of Europe.
The Siege of Vienna (1683)
One of the most famous events of the war was the Siege of Vienna in 1683.
- The Ottoman army, led by Kara Mustafa Pasha, surrounded the city of Vienna.
- The siege lasted for two months, and the people inside Vienna were close to giving up.
- However, a large relief army, led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, arrived.
- On September 12, 1683, the Holy League forces attacked the Ottomans.
- The Ottomans were defeated and forced to retreat, which was a huge victory for the Holy League. This battle stopped the Ottoman advance into Central Europe.
Battles in Hungary and the Balkans
After Vienna, the Holy League began to push the Ottomans back.
- The Habsburg armies, led by skilled generals like Prince Eugene of Savoy, won many battles in Hungary.
- They recaptured important cities and fortresses that the Ottomans had held for a long time.
- Venice fought the Ottomans in Greece, especially in the region called Morea (modern-day Peloponnese).
- Russia joined the war later and fought against the Ottomans in the south, near the Black Sea.
End of the War and Treaty of Karlowitz
The Great Turkish War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz on January 26, 1699.
- This treaty was a major defeat for the Ottoman Empire.
- The Ottomans had to give up large amounts of land in Europe.
- The Habsburg Empire gained control of most of Hungary and Transylvania.
- Venice gained parts of Greece.
- Poland-Lithuania got back some territories.
- Russia did not gain much land in this treaty but signed a separate peace later.
Impact of the War
The Great Turkish War was a turning point in history.
- It marked the end of the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe.
- It showed that European powers could work together to defeat a common enemy.
- The Habsburg Empire became much stronger and more influential in Central Europe.
- The war changed the map of southeastern Europe significantly.
Images for kids
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The northern Balkans in 1683, before the war. The northwestern portion is shown as belonging to the Habsburgs, the bulk of the Balkans under the Ottomans, with the far-northeastern area being Polish. Habsburg Empire Ottoman Empire
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The northern Balkans, after the Treaty of Karlowitz. Habsburg Empire Ottoman Empire
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Mustafa II came to power during the war, where he personally commanded the Ottoman Army.
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Nafplion, or Napoli di Romagna, in the mid-16th century
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Relief of Vienna by Bacciarelli – king John III of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania
See also
In Spanish: Gran Guerra Turca para niños
