Suleiman the Magnificent - The Ottomans

This lesson focuses on Suleiman the Magnificent, the tenth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and his expansive and influential reign from 1520 to 1566. Known as the “Lawgiver,” Suleiman was instrumental in expanding the empire, reforming the laws, and fostering arts and culture. Students will explore how his legal reforms, known as Kanun, helped to balance Islamic and secular rules, making the Ottoman Empire one of the most powerful states during the 16th century.

The activities designed for this lesson include a video review, where students will make notes and later choose the correct summary, challenging them to understand the complexities of Suleiman’s policies and their impacts. They will engage in a timeline activity, sorting major events of Suleiman’s reign to reinforce their understanding of chronological order and historical context. Another task includes reading through ‘Achievement Slides’ and ranking these achievements in terms of their historical importance, followed by writing paragraphs using the PEEKA planning method to articulate their reasoning effectively.

A recap quiz at the end tests their retention of key details about Suleiman’s territorial conquests, architectural contributions like the Süleymaniye Mosque, and his support for the arts. This lesson aims to provide students with a nuanced understanding of how Suleiman’s leadership shaped the Ottoman Empire and left a lasting legacy on the world stage.