History
What is The fall of Constantinople?
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was the Ottoman Empire's capture of the Byzantine capital, ending the thousand-year Byzantine Empire. It marked the close of the Middle Ages and reshaped trade, prompting Europeans to seek new sea routes east.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the fall of constantinople.
Key things to understand
- 1The Ottomans captured Constantinople in 1453.
- 2It ended the long-lived Byzantine Empire.
- 3Powerful cannons breached the city's famous walls.
- 4It's often used to mark the end of the Middle Ages.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the fall of Constantinople?
- The 1453 Ottoman conquest of the Byzantine capital, ending the Byzantine Empire.
- Why was the fall of Constantinople important?
- It ended an empire, shifted power to the Ottomans, and pushed Europe to seek new trade routes.
- How did the Ottomans take the city?
- After a siege, using massive cannons to breach Constantinople's formidable defensive walls.