The Decline of Christendom and Europe’s Commercial Relationship with the Ottoman Empire

Summary

This article discusses the decline of Christendom and the growing commercial relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. It examines the role of “capitulations” in granting selected Western merchant communities privileged access to Ottoman trade. The article explores the history of the enslavement of Christians in North Africa, their redemption through commercial transactions and Catholic orders, and the evolving perception of the Ottoman Empire. The author highlights the shared interests that developed between Ottomans and Europeans and the increasing fascination with Ottoman language, culture, and institutions.

The Role of Capitulations in the Commercial Relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire
Enslavement and Redemption of Christians in North Africa
Perception of the Ottoman Empire
Shared Interests between Ottomans and Europeans
Increased Conflict and Demands on Rulers

The Role of Capitulations in the Commercial Relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire

Question: What were “capitulations,” and how did they facilitate the commercial relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: “Capitulations” were legal documents issued by the Turkish Porte that granted selected Western merchant communities privileged access to Ottoman trade. Merchants from Venice, Naples, Marseille, and England negotiated the terms of their capitulations with the Ottoman Empire from the sixteenth century onwards, with the Dutch succeeding as major competitors in the first half of the seventeenth century. The Levant trades flourished with the import and export of goods, including silk, cotton, dyes, and Arabian coffee.

Question: How did piracy hinder the growing commercial relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: Piracy and privateering were constant threats to commercial trade. The Barbary corsairs of North Africa were a primary focus of concern for European nations. These pirates seized ships and their cargo, leading European merchants to negotiate for better protection. However, it was challenging for European powers to control piracy, and it persisted for many years.

Enslavement and Redemption of Christians in North Africa

Question: How did the enslavement of Christians in North Africa impact the relationship between Christendom and the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: The history of enslavement of Christians in North Africa and their redemption through commercial transactions and efforts by Catholic orders revived the story of crusading Christendom but also exposed the lack of priority given to Christian rulers regarding the redemption of enslaved Christians. The redemption of slaves emphasized the growing importance of the commercial relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Europe, as it was through this relationship that the ransom payments were made.

Question: What were the consequences of the publicity surrounding redeemed slaves?
Answer: The publicity surrounding redeemed slaves had an ambivalent impact. On the one hand, it revived the story of crusading Christendom. On the other hand, it exposed the lack of priority given to Christian rulers regarding the redemption of enslaved Christians. These tensions reflected the changing priorities of European rulers and their increasing dependence on commercial trade.

Perception of the Ottoman Empire

Question: How did the perception of the Ottoman Empire evolve over time?
Answer: Despite increasing fascination with Ottoman language, culture, and institutions, the stereotype of the Turks as cruel, barbarous, and despotic persisted. While some European intellectuals saw much to admire in Ottoman society and government, the forced recruitment of young Christian boys to be trained up in a competitive environment was condemned as cruel slavery.

Question: What was the French naturalist, Pierre Belon, impressed with during his visit to the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: The French naturalist, Pierre Belon, was impressed with Ottoman society, noting their cleanliness and healthy lifestyle. Even Jean Bodin, who read Belon’s account, saw much to admire in Ottoman society and government. However, perceptions of the Ottoman Empire varied greatly between individuals and nations.

Shared Interests between Ottomans and Europeans

Question: Were there any shared interests that developed between Ottomans and Europeans?
Answer: The article highlights the shared interests that developed between Ottomans and Europeans, including the exchange of goods such as tulips, spices, and fabrics. These exchanges reflected increasing cultural and commercial exchange between the two regions.

Question: How did commercial trade impact the relationship between Ottomans and Europeans?
Answer: Commercial trade created a sense of interdependence between Europeans and Ottomans. It also increased tensions, as merchants sought to gain an advantage in trade negotiations. However, overall, commercial trade served as a catalyst for cultural and economic exchange between Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

Increased Conflict and Demands on Rulers

Question: How did increased conflict and demands on rulers impact Europe in the seventeenth century?
Answer: War among and within Christian states increased dramatically in the three decades before 1650, with the costs of war and fiscal and organizational demands exponentially increasing. The conflicts within the Italian peninsula drew others in, and military escalation was encouraged by the Ottoman threat as well as the windfall inheritance of the Habsburgs. These wars consumed the lives and resources of those drawn into them from wider regions and harder to resolve. As the powers and responsibilities of the state increased, so did the number of those upon whom rulers relied. Mediated authority was essential to the power of states but raised questions about who paid for what, and the relationship between government and governed grew more distant and tense. Dynastic rulers found it challenging to broaden their appeal, and patriotism was as divisive as claims to religious truth.

Conclusion

The decline of Christendom and the growing commercial relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire were intertwined. Commercial trade created new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic gain, but it also exposed existing tensions and challenges. The perception of the Ottoman Empire evolved over time, with admiration and criticism coexisting. The increased conflict and demands on rulers in the seventeenth century highlighted the challenges of ruling in an interconnected world. Overall, the article presents a nuanced and complex picture of the relationship between Europe and the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the interdependence and tensions that defined this period of history.