FREE ESSAY ON MING AND OTTOMAN EMPIRES

MING AND OTTOMAN EMPIRES

Timothy S. Palko
World History II
Dr. Skaff 
MWF 2:00-2:50
World power can be seen today in two very different but extremely vast empires. They are
the Ming Empire and the Ottoman Empire. To contrast these empires in order to predict
their futures, it is necessary that I observe and analyze key factors such as leadership,
military strengths and weaknesses, and morals among the people. The two empires have
different types of leadership, and from this it is possible to find the core of any
disadvantage. From the leadership, it is possible to continue into the military and
values that these empires embody. The Ming Empire is led by brilliant philosophical
scholars, "The man who is promoted to the higher degrees in this field prides himself on
the fact that he has in truth attained to the pinnacle of Chinese happiness"
(Andrea/Overfield 116). The Ottoman Empire has dedicated and knowledgeable leaders as
well, but they are of a more warlike and brutish character. "These leaders rise in
service by merit alone" (Andrea/Overfield p.88). Indulging in the writings of Matteo
Ricci, who observed first hand the workings of the Ming government, and the writings of
Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, who observed the government under Suleiman I of the Ottoman
Empire, the prediction of success will be able to be made knowledgably. 
The Ottoman Empire began around 1300 as a "tiny state built on the strength of an army of
Turkish nomad warriors and a few Christian converts to Islam in northwestern Anatolia"
(Bulliet 601). It quickly proved to be a military strength and threat to the surrounding
civilizations. The Turks expanded their empire through brilliant military tactics,
including using Janissaries on foot, who used the new weapon called a gun in battle, and
the same horseback archery that made them so successful in their previous military
accomplishments. The selection of Turkish leaders has greatly influenced the success of
the Ottoman Empire. "A Turks grandeur is not defined by his birth, however; the respect
to be paid to a man is measured by the position he holds in the public service"
(Andrea/Overfield 88). The men who attain office are not the products of hereditary luck,
but "partly the gift of God, and partly the result of good training, great industry, and
unwearied zeal" (Andrea/Overfield p.88). De Busbecq was greatly impressed by the way that
these Turks found their leadership; he made it a point to describe their feelings towards
it in detail. 
De Busbecq also wrote extensively about the military strengths of the Ottoman. The
soldiers of the Ottoman army are well trained and experienced in the arts of warfare and
survival. The distances they must travel are so great, that the soldiers often have to
carry a pack horse "on which they carry many of the necessaries of life"
(Andrea/Overfield 89). The weapon that was affluent and extremely effective among the
soldiers is the Turkish bow. "From the eighth, or even the seventh year of age they begin
to shoot at a mark, and practice archery ten or twelve years. This constant exercise
strengthens the muscles of their arms, and gives them such skill that they can hit the
smallest marks with their arrows" (Andrea/Overfield p.89). The great riches and skilled
military forces have served this Empire well to this day. The Turks also showed very
little ignorance towards new advancements in technology originated in other parts of the
world. "There is no nation that has shown greater readiness than the Turks to avail
themselves of the useful inventions of foreigners, as is proved by their employment of
cannons and mortars, and many other things invented by Christians" (Andrea/Overfield
p.89). These open-minded and innovative new ways of becoming a powerful country greatly
impressed De Busbecq. It is true that no empire is without flaw, and the Ottoman is no
exception.
The role of Sultan in the Ottoman Empire was a hereditary role, the exception to their
other laws about leadership. "The sons of a Turkish Sultans are in the most wretched
position in the world, for, as soon as one of them succeeds his father, the rest are
doomed to certain death" Andrea/Overfield p.90). The successor will certainly kill all
the other sons in order to secure his rule. Towards the end of Suleiman I's reign as
Sultan among the Turks, jealousy and betrayal brought great criticism against the Sultan.
He had a son by a Crimean concubine; the son's name was Mustafa. He had other children as
well, but their mother was a Russian woman by the name of Roxelana. Mustafa had proved
himself a great soldier and a favorite of the Ottoman people to take over the throne.
Through lies, selfishness, and trickery, Roxelana had her way and Mustafa was murdered by
a group of mutes by the orders of his own father. This would ensure the thrown for one of
her own children. Mustafa's son was popular also, although he was a young boy. As the
people hoped for the son of Mustafa to eventually take the thrown and avenge his father's
death, Suleiman "commissioned Ibrahim Pasha to go to the Ghemlik with all speed, and put
the innocent child to death" (Andrea/Overfield 91). Other problems with the Ottoman that
may affect their future success, besides a light moral contingency, is that they may not
be able to keep up with all of the technology that other countries are adopting. "The
Turks are much afraid of carbines and pistols" (Andrea/Overfield 89). These weapons are
often used advantageously by other countries on horseback during war. These guns were
difficult to repair once damaged, and because they are fairly new not many Turks have put
forth the effort to figure out how to repair them. "Prejudice was increased by the dirt
which its use entailed, the Turks being a very cleanly people; for the dragoons had their
hands and clothes begrimed with gunpowder, and more over presented such a sorry
appearance, with their ugly boxes and pouches hanging about them, that their comrades
laughed at them and called them apothecaries" (Andrea/Overfield 89). It is perceived that
these weapons called guns are going to be a very widely used, and if only a small
percentage of soldiers like the Janissaries will be using them, a weakness may be found
in the Turkish military.
The Ming Empire also entrust only the brightest to lead and counsel. Philosophy is the
major road to success in the Ming Empire; therefore other aspects of knowledge may
disinterest them. "In China it is obvious that no one will labor to obtain proficiency in
mathematics or in medicine who has any hope of becoming prominent in the field of
philosophy" (Andrea/Overfield 116). Heredity is not what makes a leader in China. All
leaders, be it a philosopher, or a mayor of a city, gain respect by being educated and
knowledgeable, "even if they may have arisen from the lowest state in life before
attaining their literary degrees and admittance to the magistracy" (Andrea/Overfield
119). The Chinese base almost all thought from a man named Confucius, a philosophical
scholar whose ideas are studied and followed still today, though he lived hundreds of
years ago. Confucius is "great and learned man...spurred on his people to the pursuit of
virtue not less by his own example than by his writings" (Andrea/Overfield 116). No
Chinese ever argues against what he taught. Confucius "is held in such high esteem by the
learned Chinese that they do not dare to call into question any pronouncement of his and
are ready to give full recognition to an oath sworn in his name..." (Andrea/Overfield
116). Matteo Ricci has studied the system of studies and testing that the Chinese
practice in close detail. It is evident in his writings that he felt the Ming people had
such a strict and rigorous testing to become a philosopher, only the best are allowed to
counsel. The Philosophers, more formally known as the Order of the Learned, administers
over the entire Kingdom (Andrea/Overfield 118). 
The trust given to these select men is great; they are wholly in charge of the empire.
From the government to the military, they receive great respect. "Policies of war are
formulated and military questions are decided by the Philosophers only, and their advice
and counsel has more weight with the emperor than that of the military leaders".
(Andrea/Overfield 118). The men of the Order of the Learned have such a great
responsibility, and their guidance has proven strong to this point, but weaknesses are
very apparent throughout the government of the Ming
The flaws of the Ming are more apparent than that of the Ottoman. Not all of the men were
given opportunity to become philosophers; only the rich could afford the tutoring that
one needs to study the books of Confucius. The way that the philosophical men looked down
upon war may make them more peaceful, but it might give them a disadvantage when war is
upon them. "Those who aspire to be cultured frown upon war and would prefer the lowest
rank in the philosophical order to the highest in the military" (Andrea/Bulliet 118). Not
as much time or effort may be put into strategic planning or organization. Though the
Order of the Learned may be the best and brightest, they are still human, and can be
influenced by new ideas that would draw away from their true purpose. It is difficult to
see an entire counsel to continue to be so strictly bound to the writings of one man and
that they would not form their own thoughts and opinions. 
The Ming Empire is a more peaceful and organized society than the Ottoman, but after
studying the two empires, it is a prediction that they will fall before the Turks.
However less moral and warlike, the Ottoman Empire's openness to new ideas and inventions
could be the difference in their future, come the next century. More advanced in
mathematics and sciences, as well as their advancements in war overshadow their
weaknesses, such as the refusal to turn to guns, and the lawless way their leaders are
able to operate. The Ming have not shown to be as savvy in war, and their polite but
closed-minded empire is one that gives a critic ease in thinking that this type of empire
will eventually demise.