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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 in the seventeenth century ruled a vast empire that encompassed the Balkans, modern day Turkey and much defeat of the Middle East. They had captured Byzantium in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire. Successive Sultans had launched repeated attacks or ''jihads'' on Turkish army outside the Christian kingdoms gates of Europe for many centuries. By the 1680s the main defense against Vienna is widely seen as the Ottomans was the Hapsburg Empire<ref>Alan Palmer, The Decline and Fall beginning of the Ottoman Empire (New York, Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1992), p. 113</ref>. This was 's long decline and played a large empire that was centered on significant part in the German-speaking lands rise of modern Austria and its capital was Vienna. The Hapsburg Empire and the Ottomans had long contested the control of central Europe and for the control of Hungary. In 1529 This article discusses the Ottomans had laid siege to Vienna but had been beaten back. This has also led prelude to the partition of Hungary between the Turks siege and describes the Hapsburgs. However, the Catholic Hapsburgs distrusted and occasionally persecuted many actual events of their Hungarian subjects who were Protestants <ref> Palmer, p1683. 113</ref>. The Catholic forces moved into an area of Hungary that had been a de facto buffer zone between It focuses on the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans. This gave the Ottomans the excuse that they had long wanted to drive their armies into the heart of Europe. Since the death of Suleiman, the Magnificent the Ottomans had been in decline, but this had been reversed by a series of energetic Viziers. They had reformed the army and had built up the infrastructure of main reasons why the great Ottoman Empire. The Hapsburg intervention into Hungary was the perfect opportunity for the Turks failed to capture seize Vienna. They wanted the city so that they could control vital land trade routes and to potentially fatefully weaken the Hapsburgs. [[File: Walka o sztandar turecki.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Ottoman and Polish cavalry clashing outside Vienna]]

==The Battle and siege=Background===Some 150In the seventeenth century,000 Turkish troops entered Austrian territory and they were allied with the Hungarians. Some 40Ottomans ruled a vast empire that encompassed the Balkans,000 Crimean Tartars also joined the army modern-day Turkey, and much of the Ottoman EmpireMiddle East. The Ottoman Viziers They had long planned for this invasion captured Byzantium in 1453 and they ended the Byzantine Empire. Successive Sultans had laid meticulous plans. Howeverlaunched repeated attacks or ''jihads'' on Europe's Christian kingdoms for many centuries. By the 1680s, the winter meant that main defense against the actual invasion Ottomans was delayed and this gave the Austrians some time to prepareHapsburg Empire. The main Ottoman army arrived outside the gates of Vienna on 14 July<ref>Alan Palmer, <i>[https://www. On the same day, the commander Kara Mustafa demanded the surrender of the cityamazon. com/gp/product/1435136047/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1435136047&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=09ee1d29f59bacb5727488ab78d66e52 The Viennese Decline and Fall of the garrison vowed to fight Ottoman Empire]</i> (New York, Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1992), p. 113</ref> This was a large empire that was centered on as earlier the Turks had massacred the inhabitants German-speaking lands of a town that had surrendered on termsmodern Austria and its capital was Vienna. The Hapsburg Empire and the Ottomans cut off the city from had long contested central Europe's control and for the rest control of Hungary.  In 1529 the Hapsburg lands. The city's defenders Ottomans had laid siege to Vienna but had cleared the area around the surrounding city wallsbeen beaten back. This created a free-fire zone for has also led to the partition of Hungary between the Turks and the Imperial troops <ref> PalmerHapsburgs. However, p. 221</ref>the Catholic Hapsburgs distrusted and occasionally persecuted many of their Hungarian subjects who were Protestants. In response<ref> Palmer, the Ottomans established a network of trenchesp. 113</ref> The Turks Catholic forces moved into an area of Hungary that had excellent artillery been a de facto buffer zone between the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans.  This move into Hungary gave the Ottomans the excuse that they employed almost 150 pieces of cannon and they also dug tunnels under the Hapsburg walls had long wanted to place mines under drive their armies into the fortificationsheart of Europe. The walls of Since Suleiman's death, the Magnificent the city were Ottomans had been in decline, but a state series of disrepair but energetic Viziers had reversed this. They had reformed the garrison army and had built up the citizens improvised and strengthen infrastructure of the fortificationsEmpire. By September 1683 a small relief force of The Hapsburg intervention into Hungary was the perfect opportunity for the Imperial army had arrivedTurks to capture Vienna. The Hapsburg Emperor had previously fled They wanted the city. Despite this, the Viennese garrison was under great stress to control vital land trade routes and potentially fatefully weaken the commander became so concerned that Graf Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg ordered any soldier malingering or asleep on duty to be ‘summarily shot’ <ref> Palmer, pHapsburgs. 223</ref> ===The Battle and siege===[[File: TB Angriff. It seemed that gif|250px|thumbnail|left| A drawing of the Ottomans outside Vienna]]Some 150,000 Turkish troops entered Austrian garrison was on the verge of defeat territory, and they were allied with the Ottomans on the threshold Hungarians. Some 40,000 Crimean Tartars also joined the army of a great victorythe Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Viziers had long planned for this invasion, and they had laid meticulous plans. However, the Austrians had been very active on winter meant that the diplomatic front and they had received actual invasion was delayed, giving the backing of the Pope, who also supplied much-needed fundsAustrians some time to prepare.  The main Ottoman army arrived outside the gates of Vienna on 14 July. Louis XIV of France refused to help On the Austrianssame day, who he viewed as his arch enemycommander Kara Mustafa demanded the surrender of the city. The Poles under their King John III Sobieski conditionally agreed to participate in Viennese and the relief of Vienna and joined the Holy League, the name given garrison vowed to fight on as earlier the anti-Ottoman alliance<ref>Nicolle, David. Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300–1774 (Osprey Publishing, 1983), phad massacred the inhabitants of a town that had surrendered on terms. 214</ref>. That August in 1683, a small Hapsburg army, with their allies The Ottomans cut off the Bavarians and Saxons under city from the Duke rest of Lorraine defeated the Hungarian allies of the OttomanHapsburg lands. The city's northwest of Viennadefenders had cleared the area around the surrounding city walls. This encouraged created a free-fire zone for the Poles to enter a formal alliance with Leopold IImperial troops. The Polish monarchy had a powerful army and Poland's Hussars<ref> Palmer, or cavalry was famed throughout Europep. By September 1683221</ref> In response, the Ottoman forces had seized Ottomans established a portion network of the walls of the city and it seemed that Vienna was about to falltrenches. The Pope provided generous subsidies to the Poles Turks had excellent artillery, and they employed almost 150 pieces of cannon, and they also dug tunnels under the Polish king advanced with Hapsburg walls to place mines under the fortifications. The city walls were in a great army leaving his own realm virtually defenseless<ref> Nicolestate of disrepair, pbut the garrison and the citizens improvised and strengthened the fortifications. 113</ref>. They approached the city by the 11th of By September 1683 and sought to link up with , a small relief force of the Imperial armyhad arrived. Mustafa ordered The Hapsburg Emperor had previously fled the Ottomans to attack city. Despite this, the Duke of Lorraine’s army but they were beaten back Viennese garrison was under great stress, and the Imperial army launched a counterattackcommander became so concerned that Graf Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg ordered any soldier malingering or asleep on duty to be ‘summarily shot. On the right flank’<ref> Palmer, p. 223</ref>  It seemed that the Austrian garrison was on the Polish hussars advanced rapidly verge of defeat and they easily swept the Crimean Tartars from Ottomans on the fieldthreshold of a great victory. The Ottoman Vizier ordered a direct attack However, the Austrians had been very active on the city by his elite troops the Saphis diplomatic front, and they had received the backing of the JanissariesPope, but their attack was stalled by the stubborn defenderswho also supplied much-needed funds. The Ottomans had hoped to take Louis XIV of France refused to help the city before Austrians, who he viewed as his arch-enemy. The Poles under their King John III Sobieski arrived but the Poles had arrived quicker than expected. Suddenly the Turks found themselves outflanked and bogged down in fighting conditionally agreed to participate in Vienna. The Polish cavalry 's relief and joined the Imperial cavalry launched a massive cavalry charge against Holy League, the name given to the anti-Ottoman's flanks near Kahlenberg Mountain outside Viennaalliance.<ref>FaroqhiNicolle, SuraiyaDavid. The Ottoman Empire<i>[https: A Short History (London, Osprey, 2009), p 196<//www.amazon.com/gp/product/0850455111/ref>. The Holy League horsemen shattered the Ottoman army and the Vizier ordered the retreat =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0850455111&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=0a11926735705334a8b03716323a97e7 Armies of the Turkish armyOttoman Turks 1300–1774]</i> (Osprey Publishing, 1983), p. The Polish king in the aftermath said, ‘I came and God conquered’ <ref> Palmer, p. 205214</ref>. The Turks lost some 30 That August in 1683,000 men and the Hapsburgs and a small Hapsburg army, with their allies lost only several thousand. Divisions soon emerged among the allies Bavarians and this prevent Saxons under the Duke of Lorraine, defeated the Hungarian allies of the Christian armies from invading Ottoman Territory's northwest of Vienna. The defeat of This encouraged the Sultan’s army caused Poles to enter a political crisis and severely weakened the Ottoman Empire, so much so that it was no longer formal alliance with Leopold I. The Polish monarchy had a threat to Europe<ref>Palmerpowerful army, pand Poland's Hussars, or cavalry, were famed throughout Europe. 312</ref>.[[File: TB Angriff.gif|200px|thumb|left| A drawing By September 1683, the Ottoman forces had seized a portion of the Ottomans outside city walls, and it seemed that Vienna]]==Alliances==The Austrians were fortunate in that they could secure allies. Without thesewas about to fall. The Pope provided generous subsidies to the Poles, they would have almost certainly have been defeatedand the Polish king advanced with a great army leaving his realm virtually defenseless. By September 1683 the garrison was about to capitulate<ref> Nicolle, p. The arrival 113</ref>  They approached the city by the 11th of September 1683 and sought to link up with the Imperial Army under army. Mustafa ordered the Ottomans to attack the Duke of Lorraine was timely. This Lorraine’s army was mainly composed of German troops. Without the support of Saxony , but they were beaten back, and Bavaria, the Imperial army would not have been able to defeat launched a counterattack. On the Hungarians. This was of crucial importance as this victory was of great strategic importance and it also persuades right flank, the Poles to fully commit to Polish hussars advanced rapidly, and they easily swept the war against Crimean Tartars from the Turksfield. The Poles were critical to Ottoman Vizier ordered a direct attack on the victory of city by his elite troops, the Christian forces outside Vienna. They had a large army Saphis and the Janissaries, but the stubborn defenders stalled their cavalry was superbattack. John  The Ottomans had hoped to take the city before John Sobieski's cavalry was among arrived, but the finest in EuropePoles had arrived quicker than expected. They defeated Suddenly the Crimean Tartars, who were feared fighters Turks found themselves outflanked and this bogged down in fighting in effect meant that the Turks were outflankedVienna. This The Polish cavalry and the Imperial cavalry launched a massive cavalry charge one of against the greatest in history smashed the OttomansOttoman's flanks near Kahlenberg Mountain outside Vienna.<ref>Faroqhi, Suraiya. The Turks were defeated because the Hapsburgs could secure help from German princes and the powerful Polish monarchy<ref>Faroqui, p<i>[https://www.amazon. 202<com/gp/product/1558764496/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=The Pope1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=One of the key reasons why the Ottomans were defeated before the walls of Vienna was 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 Ottoman army, and the Vizier ordered the intervention retreat of the PopeTurkish army. He used his extensive resources to help The Polish king in the Hapsburg’s to form an allianceaftermath said, ‘I came, and God conquered. The Pope used his status as a spiritual leader to persuade Catholic German princes to join what he called the Holy League’<ref> Palmer, p. Without the intervention of the Papacy these princes would not have helped 205</ref> The Turks lost some 30,000 men, and the Austrians whom they distrustedHapsburgs and their allies lost only several thousand. InsteadDivisions soon emerged among the allies, they reinforced and this prevents the Imperial Army near ViennaChristian armies from invading Ottoman Territory. They provided some excellent troops who were disciplined The defeat of the Sultan’s army caused a political crisis and well-trainedseverely weakened the Ottoman Empire, so much so that it was no longer a threat to Europe.<ref> Eoin DuffyPalmer, The history of the Papacy (London, Osprey, 1998), p. 215p. 312</ref> <dh-ad/ref>.  ===Alliances===The Papacy Austrians were fortunate in that they could use it extensive funds to pay the Polish armysecure allies. At one timeWithout these, the money from the Pope helped to persuade many Imperial soldiers to remain and fightthey would have almost certainly have been defeated. During By September 1683, the early modern period, unpaid soldiers often mutiniedgarrison was about to capitulate. The support arrival of the Papacy for Imperial Army under the Holy Alliance Duke of Lorraine was very importanttimely. It is also highly likely that the backing This army was mainly composed of German troops. Without the Pope prevented Louis XIV and France from taking advantage support of the Turkish onslaught Saxony and invading GermanyBavaria, which the Imperial army would not have benefitted only defeated the OttomansHungarians. ==Strategy This was of crucial importance as this victory was of great strategic importance, and tactics==it also persuades the Poles to commit to the war against the Turks fully.  The Sultan’s army was huge and well-armed and had learned much from Poles were critical to the European armies during the ‘military revolution’ victory of the period <ref>ÁgostonChristian forces outside Vienna. They had a large army, Gábor (2014). "Firearms and Military Adaptation: The Ottomans and the European Military Revolution, 1450–1800"their cavalry was superb. Journal of World HistoryJohn Sobieski's cavalry was among the finest in Europe. 25: 85–124</ref>. HoweverThey defeated the Crimean Tartars, the Ottomans strategy was poorwho were feared fighters, which meant that the Turks were outflanked. It was too slowThis and the massive cavalry charge, they did not mobilize quickly enough and they waited until they had assembled a huge forceone of the greatest in history, smashed the Ottomans. The glacial pace of Turks were defeated because the Turkish advance allowed the Viennese to bolster their defense Hapsburgs could secure help from German princes and allowed the commander to build up the city’s garrisonpowerful Polish monarchy.<ref>Faroqui, p. The slow pace of the Ottoman attack allowed the Viennese crucial time to prepare and to withstand the initial assault<ref> Palmer, p. 324202</ref>. One Turkish tactic that failed was the use  ===The Pope===One of terror to intimidate the defenders. The massacre of civilians by key reasons why the Ottomans only made were defeated before the Viennese more determined walls of Vienna was the Pope's intervention. He used his extensive resources to fight help the Hapsburgs to the death, find allies. The Pope used his status as they knew that they would not be shown any mercya spiritual leader to persuade Catholic German princes to join what he called the Holy League. The commander Without the intervention of the Muslim armyPapacy, Vizier Kara Mustafa made several tactical errorsthese princes would not have helped the Austrians whom they distrusted. He failed to provide a sufficient force to guard his flanks and he relied too much on the Crimean Tartars Instead, they reinforced the Imperial Army near Vienna. They provided some excellent troops who were ill-disciplined and wildwell-trained. Perhaps the greatest weakness <ref>Eoin Duffy, <i>The History of the Vizier was that he was too confident and that he simply expected the city Papacy</i> (London, Osprey, 1998), p. 215</ref>  The Papacy could use its extensive funds to fall and had not prepared for pay the possibility of a Christian alliancePolish army. Perhaps At one time, the greatest mistake he made was Pope's money helped to attempt persuade many Imperial soldiers to take Vienna while fighting the Imperial army remain and the Polesfight. On During the other hand Charles Vearly modern period, the Duke unpaid soldiers often mutinied. The support of Lorraine developed a strategy that sought to squeeze the Ottomans between Vienna, Papacy for the Imperial army Holy Alliance was significant. It is also highly likely that the Pope's backing prevented Louis XIV and France from taking advantage of the Poles Turkish onslaught and invading Germany, which proved to be very effectivewould have benefitted only the Ottomans. ===Strategy and tactics=Leadership==One of the main reasons why the Ottomans failed to seize ViennaThe Sultan’s army was huge and well-armed and had learned much from the European armies during the ‘military revolution.’ <ref>Ágoston, was poor leadershipGábor (2014). The Vizier was an arrogant man "Firearms and Military Adaptation: The Ottomans and known for his crueltythe European Military Revolution, 1450–1800". He did not inspire any loyalty in his armyJournal of World History. Furthermore25: 85–124</ref> However, he hated Christians and this the Ottoman's strategy was poor. It was even though many of his allies and some of his army were members of that faith. He too slow, they did not inspire any loyalty mobilize quickly enough, and he tried to terrify everyone they waited until they had assembled a huge force. The Turkish advance's glacial pace allowed the Viennese to ensure that he was obeyed. Kara Mustafa was hated by many bolster their defense and was hated by nearly everyoneallowed the commander to build up the city’s garrison. Despite its size, The Ottoman attack's slow pace allowed the Turkish army was demoralized and this partly explains why they fled before Viennese crucial time to prepare and to withstand the Polish and Imperial cavalryinitial assault. This was not typical of the Ottoman army who were renowned for their fanatical bravery<ref> Palmer, p. In contrast, Charles V 324</ref>  One Turkish tactic that failed was the use of Lorraine was an able leader and could lead a disparate group terror to intimidate the defenders. The massacre of German troops in battle and on several occasions’, he was able civilians by the Ottomans only made the Viennese more determined to fight to rally them when the death, as they knew that they seemed about to retreat before a Turkish attackwould not be shown any mercy. The Polish king was an able leadercommander of the Muslim army, Vizier Kara Mustafa, renowned for his bravery and he did much made several tactical errors. He failed to inspire his hussars during provide a sufficient force to guard his flanks, and he relied too much on the crucial cavalry charges that broke the Ottoman army before the gates of ViennaCrimean Tartars who were ill-disciplined and wild. [[File: Zbroje husarskie.jpg |200px|thumb|left| Polish armor from Perhaps the period]]==Conclusion==The Battle of Vienna greatest weakness of the Vizier was that he was one of too confident and that he expected the most important battles in Early Modern European history. It was a turning point in city to fall and had not prepared for the fortunes possibility of the Ottoman Empire and after 1683 it was no longer a threat to Christian Europe alliance. Perhaps the greatest mistake he made was to take Vienna while fighting the Imperial Army and went into a steep decline in the eighteenth centuryPoles. The battle saved Vienna and On the Hapsburg Empire, which became one other hand Charles V, the Duke of Lorraine developed a strategy that sought to squeeze the leading powers in continental Europe. If Ottomans between Vienna had fallen in 1683 , the great Viennese cultural flourishing of the eighteenth and nineteenth century would not have happened Imperial army, and there may have been no Mozart. The reason for the defeat of the Ottomans was that the army was poorly led and its strategies and tactics were poor and ill-conceivedPoles, which proved to be very effective. The Hapsburg’s could win  ===Leadership===[[File: Zbroje husarskie.jpg |300px|thumbnail|left| Polish armor from the support period]]One of the Pope, main reasons why the Catholic German princes Ottomans failed to seize Vienna was poor leadership. The Vizier was an arrogant man and crucially the Polish monarchyknown for his cruelty. This and the determination of the Viennese defenders and garrison all ensured that the Ottomans suffered their greatest defeat and saved EuropeHe did not inspire any loyalty in his army.  Furthermore, he hated Christians, which was even though many of his allies and some of his army were members of that faith. He did not inspire any loyalty, and he tried to terrify everyone to ensure that he was obeyed. Kara Mustafa was hated by many and was hated by nearly everyone.  Despite its size, the Turkish army was demoralized, and this partly explains why they fled before the Polish and Imperial cavalry. This was not typical of the Ottoman army who was renowned for their fanatical bravery. In contrast, Charles V of Lorraine was an able leader and could lead a disparate group of German troops in battle. On several occasions, he was able 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 Vienna. ===Conclusion====References==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]]