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==Introduction==[[File: Walka o sztandar turecki.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Ottoman and Polish cavalry clashing outside Vienna]]__NOTOC__In the early modern period in Europe, Ottoman Turkey was arguably the greatest military and political power. The Ottoman Sultan ruled an Empire from Persia to Central Europe. It is widely accepted that if the Muslims Muslim Empire had been successful at the Battle or Siege of Vienna in 1683 that , it could have gone on and dominated Europe and changed not only European history but also world history. The defeat of the Turkish army outside the gates of Vienna it widely seen as the beginning of the long decline of the Ottoman Empire and played a very important part in the rise of Europe. This article discusses the prelude to the siege and describes the actual events of 1683. It focuses on the main reasons why the great Ottoman Empire, failed to seize Vienna.

==Background==The Ottomans had ruled a vast empire that encompassed defeat of the Turkish army outside the Balkans, modern day Turkey and much gates of Vienna is widely seen as the Middle East since beginning of the fifteenth century. They had captured Byzantium Ottoman Empire's long decline and ended the Byzantine Empire. They had launched repeated attacks on played a significant part in the Christian kingdoms rise of Europe for many centuries. By This article discusses the 1680s prelude to the main defense against siege and describes the Ottomans was actual events of 1683. It focuses on the Hapsburg Empire<ref>Alan Palmer, The Decline and Fall of main reasons why the great Ottoman Empire (New Yorkfailed to seize Vienna. ===Background===In the seventeenth century, Barnes & Noble Publishingthe Ottomans ruled a vast empire that encompassed the Balkans, 1992)modern-day Turkey, pand much of the Middle East. 113</ref>They had captured Byzantium in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire. This was a large empire that was centered Successive Sultans had launched repeated attacks or ''jihads'' on the German-speaking lands of modern Austria and its capital was ViennaEurope's Christian kingdoms for many centuries. The Hapsburg Empire and By the 1680s, the main defense against the Ottomans had long contested was the control of central Europe and for the control of HungaryHapsburg Empire. In 1529 the Ottomans had laid siege to Vienna but had been beaten back<ref>Alan Palmer, <i>[https://www. This has also led to the partition of Hungary between the Turks and the Hapsburgsamazon. However, the Catholic Hapsburgs distrusted and occasionally persecuted many of their Hungarian subjects who were Protestants <ref> Palmer, p. 113<com/gp/product/1435136047/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1435136047&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=09ee1d29f59bacb5727488ab78d66e52 The Catholic forces moved into an area Decline and Fall of Hungary that had been traditionally a buffer zone between the Hapsburgs and the OttomansOttoman Empire]</i> (New York, Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1992), p. 113</ref> This gave was a large empire that was centered on the Ottomans the excuse that they had long wanted to drive their armies into the heart German-speaking lands of Europemodern Austria and its capital was Vienna. Since the death of Suleiman, the Magnificent The Hapsburg Empire and the Ottomans had been in decline, long contested central Europe's control and for the control of Hungary.  In 1529 the Ottomans had laid siege to Vienna but this had been reversed by a series beaten back. This has also led to the partition of energetic Viziers. They had reformed Hungary between the army Turks and had built up the infrastructure of the EmpireHapsburgs. The Hapsburg intervention into Hungary was However, the perfect opportunity for the Turks to capture ViennaCatholic Hapsburgs distrusted and occasionally persecuted many of their Hungarian subjects who were Protestants. They wanted the city so that they could control vital land trade routes and to potentially fatefully weaken the Hapsburgs<ref> Palmer, p. [[File: Walka o sztandar turecki.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Ottoman 113</ref> The Catholic forces moved into an area of Hungary that had been a de facto buffer zone between the Hapsburgs and Polish cavalry clashing outside Vienna]]the Ottomans.  ==The Battle and siege==Some 150,000 Turkish troops entered Austrian territory and they were allied with This move into Hungary gave the Hungarians. Some 40,000 Crimean Tartars also joined Ottomans the army of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Viziers excuse that they had long planned for this invasion and they had laid meticulous planswanted to drive their armies into the heart of Europe. HoweverSince Suleiman's death, the winter meant that Magnificent the actual invasion was delayed and Ottomans had been in decline, but a series of energetic Viziers had reversed this gave . They had reformed the Austrians some time to preparearmy and had built up the infrastructure of the Empire. The main Ottoman army arrived outside Hapsburg intervention into Hungary was the perfect opportunity for the gates of Turks to capture Vienna on 14 July. On They wanted the same day, city to control vital land trade routes and potentially fatefully weaken the commander Kara Mustafa demanded the surrender of the cityHapsburgs.  ===The Viennese Battle and siege===[[File: TB Angriff.gif|250px|thumbnail|left| A drawing of the garrison vowed to fight on as earlier the Turks had massacred Ottomans outside Vienna]]Some 150,000 Turkish troops entered Austrian territory, and they were allied with the inhabitants of a town that had surrendered on termsHungarians. The Ottomans cut off Some 40,000 Crimean Tartars also joined the city from the rest army of the Hapsburg landsOttoman Empire. The city's defenders Ottoman Viziers had cleared the area around the surrounding city wallslong planned for this invasion, and they had laid meticulous plans. This created a free-fire zone for However, the winter meant that the Imperial troops <ref> Palmeractual invasion was delayed, pgiving the Austrians some time to prepare. 221</ref>. In response,  The main Ottoman army arrived outside the Ottomans established a network gates of trenchesVienna on 14 July. On the same day, commander Kara Mustafa demanded the surrender of the city. The Viennese and the garrison vowed to fight on as earlier the Turks had excellent artillery and they employed almost 150 pieces massacred the inhabitants of cannon and they also dug tunnels under the Hapsburg walls to place mines under the fortificationsa town that had surrendered on terms. The walls of Ottomans cut off the city were in a state from the rest of disrepair but the garrison and Hapsburg lands. The city's defenders had cleared the citizens improvised and strengthen area around the fortificationssurrounding city walls. By September 1683 This created a small relief force of free-fire zone for the Imperial army had arrivedtroops. The Hapsburg Emperor had previously fled the city<ref> Palmer, p. Despite this, the Viennese garrison was under great stress and 221</ref> In response, the commander became so concerned that Graf Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg ordered any soldier malingering or asleep on duty to be ‘summarily shot’ <ref> PalmerOttomans established a network of trenches. The Turks had excellent artillery, and they employed almost 150 pieces of cannon, p. 223</ref>and they also dug tunnels under the Hapsburg walls to place mines under the fortifications. It seemed that The city walls were in a state of disrepair, but the Austrian garrison was on the verge of defeat and the Ottomans on citizens improvised and strengthened the threshold of a great victoryfortifications. HoweverBy September 1683, a small relief force of the Austrians Imperial army had arrived. The Hapsburg Emperor had been very active on previously fled the diplomatic front city. Despite this, the Viennese garrison was under great stress, and they had received the backing of the Pope, who also supplied much-needed fundscommander became so concerned that Graf Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg ordered any soldier malingering or asleep on duty to be ‘summarily shot. Louis XIV of France refused to help the Austrians’<ref> Palmer, who he viewed as his arch enemyp. The Poles under their King John III Sobieski conditionally agreed to participate in 223</ref>  It seemed that the Austrian garrison was on the relief verge of Vienna defeat and joined the Holy LeagueOttomans on the threshold of a great victory. However, the name given to Austrians had been very active on the anti-Ottoman alliance<ref>Nicollediplomatic front, and they had received the backing of the Pope, Davidwho also supplied much-needed funds. Armies Louis XIV of France refused to help the Ottoman Turks 1300–1774 (Osprey PublishingAustrians, 1983), pwho he viewed as his arch-enemy. 214</ref>. That August The Poles under their King John III Sobieski conditionally agreed to participate in 1683, a small Hapsburg army, with their allies the Bavarians Vienna's relief and Saxons under joined the Duke of Lorraine defeated Holy League, the Hungarian allies of name given to the anti-Ottoman's northwest of Viennaalliance. This encouraged the Poles to enter a formal alliance with Leopold I<ref>Nicolle, David. The Polish monarchy had a powerful army and Poland's Hussars, or cavalry was famed throughout Europe<i>[https://www.amazon. By September 1683, the Ottoman forces had seized a portion com/gp/product/0850455111/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0850455111&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=0a11926735705334a8b03716323a97e7 Armies of the walls of the city and it seemed that Vienna was about to fall. The Pope provided generous subsidies to the Poles and the Polish king advanced with a great army leaving his own realm virtually defenseless<ref> NicoleOttoman Turks 1300–1774]</i> (Osprey Publishing, 1983), p. 113214</ref>. They approached  That August in 1683, a small Hapsburg army, with their allies the city by Bavarians and Saxons under the 11th Duke of Lorraine, defeated the Hungarian allies of September 1683 and sought to link up with the Imperial armyOttoman's northwest of Vienna. Mustafa ordered This encouraged the Ottomans Poles to attack the Duke of Lorraine’s army but they were beaten back and the Imperial enter a formal alliance with Leopold I. The Polish monarchy had a powerful army launched a counterattack. On the right flank, the Polish hussars advanced rapidly and they easily swept the Crimean Tartars from Poland's Hussars, or cavalry, were famed throughout Europe. By September 1683, the field. The Ottoman Vizier ordered forces had seized a direct attack on portion of the city by his elite troops the Saphis walls, and the Janissaries, but their attack it seemed that Vienna was stalled by the stubborn defendersabout to fall. The Ottomans had hoped Pope provided generous subsidies to take the city before John Sobieski arrived but Poles, and the Poles had arrived quicker than expectedPolish king advanced with a great army leaving his realm virtually defenseless. Suddenly the Turks found themselves outflanked and bogged down in fighting in Vienna. The Polish cavalry and the Imperial cavalry launched a massive cavalry charge against the Ottoman's flanks near Kahlenberg Mountain outside Vienna<<ref>FaroqhiNicolle, Suraiyap. The Ottoman Empire: A Short History (London, Osprey, 2009), p 196113</ref>. The Holy League horsemen shattered  They approached the Ottoman army and city by the Vizier ordered the retreat 11th of September 1683 and sought to link up with the Turkish Imperial army. The Polish king in Mustafa ordered the Ottomans to attack the aftermath saidDuke of Lorraine’s army, ‘I came and God conquered’ <ref> Palmer, p. 205</ref>. The Turks lost some 30but they were beaten back,000 men and the Hapsburgs and their allies lost only several thousandImperial army launched a counterattack. Divisions soon emerged among On the right flank, the allies Polish hussars advanced rapidly, and this prevent they easily swept the Christian armies Crimean Tartars from invading Ottoman Territorythe field. The defeat of Ottoman Vizier ordered a direct attack on the city by his elite troops, the Sultan’s army caused a political crisis Saphis and severely weakened the Ottoman EmpireJanissaries, so much so that it was no longer a threat to Europe<ref>Palmer, p. 312</ref>but the stubborn defenders stalled their attack.[[File: TB AngriffThe Ottomans had hoped to take the city before John Sobieski arrived, but the Poles had arrived quicker than expected.gif|200px|thumb|left| A drawing of Suddenly the Ottomans outside Turks found themselves outflanked and bogged down in fighting in Vienna]]==Alliances==. The Austrians were fortunate in that they could secure alliesPolish cavalry and the Imperial cavalry launched a massive cavalry charge against the Ottoman's flanks near Kahlenberg Mountain outside Vienna. Without these<ref>Faroqhi, they would have almost certainly have been defeatedSuraiya. By September 1683 the garrison was about to capitulate<i>[https://www. The arrival of the Imperial Army under the Duke of Lorraine was timelyamazon. This army was mainly composed of German troops. Without the support of Saxony and Bavaria, the Imperial army would not have been able to defeat com/gp/product/1558764496/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1558764496&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a745044192b83ee81bab02cacdc5b4df The Ottoman Empire: A Short History]</i> (London, Osprey, 2009), p 196</ref> The Holy League horsemen shattered the Hungarians. This was of crucial importance as this victory was of great strategic importance Ottoman army, and it also persuades the Poles to fully commit to Vizier ordered the war against retreat of the TurksTurkish army. The Poles were critical to Polish king in the victory of the Christian forces outside Vienna. They had a large army aftermath said, ‘I came, and their cavalry was superbGod conquered. John Sobieski's cavalry was among the finest in Europe’<ref> Palmer, p. They defeated the Crimean Tartars205</ref> The Turks lost some 30,000 men, who were feared fighters and this in effect meant that the Turks were outflankedHapsburgs and their allies lost only several thousand. This Divisions soon emerged among the allies, and this prevents the massive cavalry charge one of the greatest in history smashed the OttomansChristian armies from invading Ottoman Territory. The Turks were defeated because defeat of the Hapsburgs could secure help from German princes Sultan’s army caused a political crisis and severely weakened the powerful Polish monarchyOttoman Empire, so much so that it was no longer a threat to Europe.<ref>FaroquiPalmer, p. 202312</ref>.  <dh-ad/> ===Alliances=The Pope==One of the key reasons why the Ottomans The Austrians were fortunate in that they could secure allies. Without these, they would have almost certainly have been defeated before . By September 1683, the walls of Vienna garrison was the intervention about to capitulate. The arrival of the Pope. He used his extensive resources to help Imperial Army under the Hapsburg’s to form an allianceDuke of Lorraine was timely. The Pope used his status as a spiritual leader to persuade Catholic This army was mainly composed of German princes to join what he called the Holy Leaguetroops. Without the intervention support of Saxony and Bavaria, the Papacy these princes Imperial army would not have helped defeated the Austrians whom they distrustedHungarians. InsteadThis was of crucial importance as this victory was of great strategic importance, they reinforced and it also persuades the Imperial Army near Poles to commit to the war against the Turks fully.  The Poles were critical to the victory of the Christian forces outside Vienna. They provided some excellent troops who were disciplined had a large army, and well-trained<ref> Eoin Duffy, The history of their cavalry was superb. John Sobieski's cavalry was among the Papacy (London, Osprey, 1998), pfinest in Europe. 215</ref>. The Papacy could use it extensive funds to pay They defeated the Polish army. At one timeCrimean Tartars, who were feared fighters, which meant that the money from the Pope helped to persuade many Imperial soldiers to remain Turks were outflanked. This and fight. During the early modern periodmassive cavalry charge, unpaid soldiers often mutiniedone of the greatest in history, smashed the Ottomans. The support of Turks were defeated because the Papacy for Hapsburgs could secure help from German princes and the Holy Alliance was very importantpowerful Polish monarchy. It is also highly likely that the backing <ref>Faroqui, p. 202</ref> ===The Pope===One of the Pope prevented Louis XIV and France from taking advantage key reasons why the Ottomans were defeated before the walls of Vienna was the Turkish onslaught and invading Germany, which would have benefitted only the OttomansPope's intervention. He used his extensive resources to help the Hapsburgs to find allies. ==Strategy and tactics==The Sultan’s army was huge and well-armed and had learned much from Pope used his status as a spiritual leader to persuade Catholic German princes to join what he called the European armies during Holy League. Without the ‘military revolution’ intervention of the period <ref>ÁgostonPapacy, Gábor (2014)these princes would not have helped the Austrians whom they distrusted. "Firearms and Military Adaptation: The Ottomans and Instead, they reinforced the European Military Revolution, 1450–1800"Imperial Army near Vienna. Journal of World HistoryThey provided some excellent troops who were disciplined and well-trained. 25: 85–124</ref>. HoweverEoin Duffy, <i>The History of the Ottomans strategy was poor. It was too slow, they did not mobilize quickly enough and they waited until they had assembled a huge forcePapacy</i> (London, Osprey, 1998), p. 215</ref>  The glacial pace of Papacy could use its extensive funds to pay the Turkish advance allowed Polish army. At one time, the Viennese to bolster their defense Pope's money helped to persuade many Imperial soldiers to remain and allowed the commander to build up the city’s garrisonfight. The slow pace of During the Ottoman attack allowed early modern period, unpaid soldiers often mutinied. The support of the Viennese crucial time to prepare and to withstand Papacy for the initial assault<ref> Palmer, pHoly Alliance was significant. 324</ref>. One Turkish tactic It is also highly likely that failed was the use Pope's backing prevented Louis XIV and France from taking advantage of terror to intimidate the defenders. The massacre of civilians by Turkish onslaught and invading Germany, which would have benefitted only the Ottomans only made the Viennese more determined to fight to the death, as they knew that they would not be shown any mercy. . ===Strategy and tactics===The commander of the Muslim Sultan’s army, Vizier Kara Mustafa made several tactical errorswas huge and well-armed and had learned much from the European armies during the ‘military revolution. He failed to provide a sufficient force to guard his flanks and he relied too much on the Crimean Tartars who were ill-disciplined ’ <ref>Ágoston, Gábor (2014). "Firearms and Military Adaptation: The Ottomans and wild. Perhaps the greatest weakness of the Vizier European Military Revolution, 1450–1800". Journal of World History. 25: 85–124</ref> However, the Ottoman's strategy was that he poor. It was too confident and that he simply expected the city to fall slow, they did not mobilize quickly enough, and they waited until they had not prepared for the possibility of assembled a Christian alliancehuge force. Perhaps the greatest mistake he made was The Turkish advance's glacial pace allowed the Viennese to attempt bolster their defense and allowed the commander to take Vienna while fighting build up the Imperial army and the Polescity’s garrison. On the other hand Charles V, The Ottoman attack's slow pace allowed the Duke of Lorraine developed a strategy that sought Viennese crucial time to prepare and to squeeze withstand the Ottomans between Vienna, the Imperial army and the Poles which proved to be very effectiveinitial assault.<ref> Palmer, p.324</ref> ==Leadership==One of the main reasons why Turkish tactic that failed was the Ottomans failed use of terror to seize Vienna, was poor leadershipintimidate the defenders. The Vizier was an arrogant man and known for his cruelty. He did massacre of civilians by the Ottomans only made the Viennese more determined to fight to the death, as they knew that they would not inspire be shown any loyalty in his armymercy. Furthermore, he hated Christians and this was even though many The commander of his allies and some of his the Muslim army were members of that faith, Vizier Kara Mustafa, made several tactical errors. He did not inspire any loyalty and he tried failed to terrify everyone provide a sufficient force to ensure that guard his flanks, and he was obeyed. Kara Mustafa was hated by many relied too much on the Crimean Tartars who were ill-disciplined and was hated by nearly everyonewild. Despite its size,  Perhaps the greatest weakness of the Turkish army Vizier was that he was demoralized too confident and this partly explains why they fled before that he expected the Polish city to fall and Imperial cavalry. This was had not typical prepared for the possibility of a Christian alliance. Perhaps the Ottoman army who were renowned for their fanatical braverygreatest mistake he made was to take Vienna while fighting the Imperial Army and the Poles. In contrast, On the other hand Charles V , the Duke of Lorraine was an able leader developed a strategy that sought to squeeze the Ottomans between Vienna, the Imperial army, and could lead a disparate group of German troops in battle and on several occasions’the Poles, he was able which proved to rally them when they seemed about to retreat before a Turkish attack. The Polish king was an able leader, renowned for his bravery and he did much to inspire his hussars during the crucial cavalry charges that broke the Ottoman army before the gates of Viennabe very effective.  ===Leadership===[[File: Zbroje husarskie.jpg |200px300px|thumbthumbnail|left| Polish armor from the period]]==Conclusion==The Battle of One of the main reasons why the Ottomans failed to seize Vienna was one of the most important battles in Early Modern European historypoor leadership. It The Vizier was a turning point an arrogant man and known for his cruelty. He did not inspire any loyalty in the fortunes his army. Furthermore, he hated Christians, which was even though many of the Ottoman Empire his allies and some of his army were members of that faith. He did not inspire any loyalty, and after 1683 it was no longer a threat he tried to Christian Europe terrify everyone to ensure that he was obeyed. Kara Mustafa was hated by many and went into a steep decline in the eighteenth centurywas hated by nearly everyone. The battle saved Vienna and  Despite its size, the Hapsburg EmpireTurkish army was demoralized, which became one and this partly explains why they fled before the Polish and Imperial cavalry. This was not typical of the leading powers in continental EuropeOttoman army who was renowned for their fanatical bravery. If Vienna had fallen in 1683 the great Viennese cultural flourishing In contrast, Charles V of the eighteenth Lorraine was an able leader and nineteenth century would not have happened and there may have been no Mozartcould lead a disparate group of German troops in battle. The reason for the defeat of the Ottomans On several occasions, he was that the army was poorly led and its strategies and tactics were poor and ill-conceivedable to rally them when they seemed about to retreat before a Turkish attack. The Hapsburg’s could win the support of the PopePolish king was an able leader, renowned for his bravery, the Catholic German princes and crucially he did much to inspire his hussars during the Polish monarchy. This and crucial cavalry charges that broke the Ottoman army before the determination gates of the Viennese defenders and garrison all ensured that the Ottomans suffered their greatest defeat and saved EuropeVienna.  ==References=Conclusion===The Battle of Vienna was one of the most important battles in Early Modern European history. It was a turning point in the fortunes of the Ottoman Empire, and after 1683 it was no longer a threat to Christian Europe and went into a steep decline in the eighteenth century. The battle saved Vienna and the Hapsburg Empire, becoming one of the leading powers in continental Europe. If Vienna had fallen in 1683, the great Viennese cultural flourishing of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries would not have happened, and there may have been no Mozart.  The Ottomans' defeat was that the army was poorly led, and its strategies and tactics were poor and ill-conceived. The Hapsburgs could win the support of the Pope, the Catholic German princes, and crucially the Polish monarchy. This and the Viennese defenders and garrison's determination all ensured that the Ottomans suffered their greatest defeat and saved Europe.  <youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jibk6hvhlG0</youtube> ===References===<references/>{{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Political History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:European History]]