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2. Read the excerpt provided and then respond to parts a, b, and c.
“The city’s once-imposing walls, which had withstood centuries of sieges, now faced an adversary determined to breach them. As I gazed upon the advancing Turkish forces, the gravity of the situation became all too clear. The sounds of battle, the cries of defenders and attackers alike, echoed through the air, creating an eerie symphony of chaos and destruction.
As the hours passed, the Turks pressed deeper into the city, pushing forward with unwavering determination. St. Sophia, the magnificent cathedral of Constantinople, could not escape their relentless assault. With shock and sorrow, I saw them take the church by storm. Once they had established themselves within that sacred space, they showed no mercy. The peaceful halls of worship were transformed into scenes of violence and horror, as they mercilessly took the lives of everyone they found within those hallowed walls.”
a. Describe ONE significant challenge faced by the city of Constantinople and its defenders during the siege, as highlighted in Nicolò Barbaro’s account.
b. Identify and explain ONE significant cause or factor that contributed to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 as suggested by Nicolò Barbaro’s account and discuss its role in the city’s downfall.
c. In what historical context did the siege of Constantinople in 1453 take place, and why was the city strategically important to both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire?
Sample Perfect Answer
a. Describe ONE significant challenge faced by the city of Constantinople and its defenders during the siege, as highlighted in Nicolò Barbaro’s account.
One significant challenge faced by the city of Constantinople and its defenders during the siege, as highlighted in Nicolò Barbaro’s account, was the overwhelming military power of the Ottoman Empire. Barbaro’s account emphasizes the formidable artillery of the Ottoman forces, including massive cannons capable of breaching the city’s walls. This technological advantage posed a considerable challenge to the defenders of Constantinople, as it allowed the Ottomans to conduct a relentless and devastating bombardment of the city’s fortifications, making it increasingly difficult for the defenders to hold their positions.
b. Identify and explain ONE significant cause or factor that contributed to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 as suggested by Nicolò Barbaro’s account and discuss its role in the city’s downfall.
One significant cause that contributed to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 as suggested by Nicolò Barbaro’s account was the strategic importance of the city’s location. Constantinople served as a critical link between Europe and Asia, controlling access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. This strategic position made it a hub for trade, commerce, and naval dominance. Sultan Mehmed II recognized the city’s value and sought to capture it to secure control over these lucrative trade routes, as well as to assert his dominance in the Mediterranean region. The role of Constantinople as a key trade gateway and naval base played a central role in its downfall, as it motivated the Ottomans to lay siege to the city and ultimately led to its capture.
c. In what historical context did the siege of Constantinople in 1453 take place, and why was the city strategically important to both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire?
The siege of Constantinople in 1453 took place within the historical context of the decline of the Byzantine Empire. By the 15th century, the Byzantine Empire was weakened by external pressures, internal conflicts, and a shrinking territory. Constantinople remained one of the last strongholds of the empire.
The city was strategically important to both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. For the Byzantines, Constantinople was their capital and the heart of their empire. It held immense historical, political, and cultural significance. Its fall would mark the end of the Byzantine Empire.
For the Ottomans, capturing Constantinople held great strategic value. The city’s location allowed control over the Bosporus Strait, a critical point in the trade routes connecting Europe to Asia. It provided access to the Black Sea and facilitated commerce and the accumulation of wealth. Additionally, the capture of Constantinople was a symbol of the Ottoman Empire’s ascendancy, marking the final triumph of Islam over Christianity in the region.
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