S1/E21 The Early Ottoman Empire with Alan Mikhail

Send us Fan MailEric and Rob sit down with Dr. Alan Mikhail to discuss teaching the early Ottoman Empire.   Dr. Mikhail is the Chance Family Professor of History at Yale University. His fields of interest include the Middle East, the Early Modern Muslim World, the Ottoman Empire, Egypt, Early Modern History, Environmental History and the History of Medicine. He is the author of many award winning books including God’s Shadow:  Sultan Selim, His Ottoman Empire, and the Making of the Modern World which won the Gold Medal in World History and was long listed for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence.  Dr. Mikhail notes several important concepts that should be considered when teaching the early Ottoman empire.  First, teachers should note the longevity of the Ottoman Empire.  Also, its location between Europe, Asia, and Africa placed it at the center of trade and communication for all those regions, giving it a significant influence on the histories of its neighbors.  The empire was led by one dynasty, and the politics of succession were often filled with intrigue as various members of the Harem conspired to place their son on the throne.  He concludes by discussing the importance of Sultan Selim who is often overshadowed in history books by his son, Suileman, but who doubled the size of the empire through conquest in a short but consequential reign.  Lesson Plans and resources:The “Creating a Timeline of the Early Ottoman Empire” lesson can be found at https://bit.ly/4eB0dGBThe “Who's calling Whom Magnificent" lesson can be found at https://bit.ly/4eIyh2gCreditsOpening theme music, “Bossa Bossa,” created by Clare Howard www.clarehoward.com  Music supported by the National Council for History Education www.ncheteach.orgTransition theme music, “The Clock is Ticking,” created by Emily Hahn.Logo artwork created by Jessica Goldman.Shit I Have to Teach in 20 Minutes is produced by Eric Hahn and Rob Good.  Audio and video editing by Sebastian Rosales.Email us at [email protected]: https://www.youtube.com/@historyintwentyInstagram:historyintwenty