The Ottoman EmpireThe Ottoman Empire was a Turkish, Sunni Muslim empire that expand out from Turkey in the 1300's to control much of SW Asia and North Africa by the late 1600's. The Ottoman's were even able to gain control over the Arab cities of Mecca and Medina.
The empire grew so large that it was difficult to remain in control over such an extensive area. The empire began to shrink in size until the start of World War 1. The Ottoman's decided to join forces with Germany during World War I and when Germany lost in WW I, the Ottoman Empire was broken apart by the British and the French in 1920. The only territory that the Ottoman's were allowed to control was their homeland Turkey. The British ruled over Iraq, Palestine, and other Arabian Peninsula countries. The French had control over Syria and Lebanon. |
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