Siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire in 1683

Developments Before the Siege

In the late 17th century, the Ottoman Empire continued its expansion in Europe. The Second Siege of Vienna emerged as part of the Ottoman Empire’s expansionist policy. Before the siege, tensions between the Ottomans and the Austrian Empire escalated, leading to border conflicts and diplomatic disputes.

In 1676, Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha, who became the grand vizier of Sultan Mehmed IV, embarked on a major campaign to increase the military and political power of the Ottoman Empire. Seizing the internal turmoil in Europe and Austria’s moment of weakness, the Ottomans planned to capture Vienna and open the gates to Europe.

The Ottoman Army’s Siege of Vienna

In 1683, the Ottoman army, under the command of Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha, advanced towards Vienna. A large army of approximately 150,000 soldiers moved towards Vienna through Hungary. Along the way, the Ottoman army captured many fortresses and reached the outskirts of Vienna on July 14, 1683.

The Ottomans began the siege of Vienna, attempting to destroy the city’s outer walls and penetrate the inner fortress. The city’s defenders, led by Austrian Archduke Leopold, resisted. The city’s inhabitants and soldiers showed great resistance against the Ottoman siege. Additionally, forces from the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, led by Polish King John III Sobieski, came to Vienna’s aid and surrounded the Ottoman army from behind.

The Outcomes of the Siege

The Battle of Kahlenberg, which took place on September 12, 1683, determined the fate of the siege. The united Christian forces under the command of Polish King John III Sobieski inflicted a heavy defeat on the Ottoman army. The Ottomans were forced to retreat with heavy losses. Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha was executed after the failed siege.

The failure of the Second Siege of Vienna marked a significant turning point for the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans suffered a major setback in their European expansion, and this defeat is considered the beginning of the empire’s decline. The European states, on the other hand, improved their ability to unite and coordinate against the Ottomans. Additionally, the Siege of Vienna led to the strengthening of anti-Ottoman alliances in Europe and prompted the Christian world to reassess their defensive strategies against the Ottomans.



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