Ottoman Empire · 1299-1402

From Osman to Bayezid: the first Ottomans

Around 1300 the Ottomans were one small Turkish state among many. Within a century they ruled lands on two continents. Students trace this rise on the map and weigh the reasons historians give for it.

Teach it live New Open on the map
Length
45 minutes
Ages
12–15
On the map
3 steps, AD 1326 to AD 1400
Live lesson
7 rounds, 3 on the map
Worksheet
Two A4 pages, with Classroom
You need
A projector; phones for live

Live lesson · new in Classroom

Teach it live. The class answers on their phones.

Put the board on the projector. Students join with a six-digit code, no account needed, and tap the map: where was the frontier, where did the grain come from. Their pins drop in together when you reveal, and the closest student takes the round.

€19 per month: every lesson live, every worksheet, cancel anytime. Rome at its height runs live for free.

A live lesson on the projector: the class's pins on the map around Alexandria, the closest students listed beside it A student's phone: the question and a map to tap
7 rounds
3 places to find on the map, quiz questions, a class vote and a one-line answer.
About 15 minutes
Run it as the map step, or to open the discussion. You move on with the space bar.
A report
Every answer, per student and per round, to read back or print after the lesson.
1

Introduction

5 min

Read aloud

Around 1300 the Ottomans were one small Turkish state among many. Within a century they ruled lands on two continents. Students trace this rise on the map and weigh the reasons historians give for it.

By the end of the lesson, students can

  • Describe the growth of the Ottoman state between about 1300 and 1400 using the map.
  • Locate Bursa, Gallipoli, Edirne and Kosovo and explain why each mattered.
  • Compare at least two explanations for the rise of the Ottomans.
2

Explore the map

12 min

Project the map, or let students follow on their own devices. Each step opens the map at the right year and place.

a

AD 1326

A small frontier state

Open Stories and start The Ottoman Ascent. At the first step, 1326, the Ottomans take Bursa. Look around: who are their neighbors?

Open this view on the map
b

AD 1354

Into Europe

Turn on Historical Events and move to 1354. Find the Ottoman Capture of Gallipoli. Why is this narrow strait such an important place?

Open this view on the map
c

AD 1400

A century of growth

Jump to 1400 and find the Ottoman Empire. On which two continents does it now hold land? Which great city in between does it still not hold?

Open this view on the map
3

Class discussion

14 min

Pick two or three. They run from what happened to why it mattered.

  1. Around 1300 the Ottomans were one of many small Turkish states in Anatolia. Why might the one on the Byzantine border have grown fastest?
  2. The Ottomans crossed into Europe long before they took Constantinople. Why go around a great city instead of attacking it?
  3. Many early Ottoman soldiers and officials were Christians or converts. How could that help a new state?
  4. Historians argue about why the Ottomans succeeded: holy war, good leaders, luck or a talent for winning allies. Which do you find most convincing?
  5. In 1402 Timur nearly destroyed the Ottoman state. Why do you think it survived?
4

Game round

9 min

Play one round of Rule History as Suleiman the Magnificent, who ruled the Ottoman Empire about 200 years after Osman. Discuss: which habits of the early sultans, such as winning allies, frontier wars and careful government, can you still recognize in Suleiman's choices?

Open Rule History
5

Worksheet

5 min

This worksheet comes with Classroom

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