Final answer:
The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453 marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, but Istanbul thrived under Ottoman rule, evolving into a strategic trade and cultural hub between Europe and Asia, influencing exploration and the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
On May 29, 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman forces led by Sultan Mehmed II, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. With a prolonged siege of nearly 57 days, the Ottomans eventually breached the city's walls, and Constantinople's defenders, including Emperor Constantine XI, were overwhelmed.
Following its capture, Constantinople was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Under Mehmed II, the city maintained its strategic significance, controlling key trade routes between Europe and Asia.
The Christian community, including Orthodox Christians, was granted certain freedoms under the new rule, including the right to practice their religion and be governed by their own laws within the Millet system.
However, the fall of the city sent shockwaves through Europe, prompting explorers to seek new trade routes to the East and contributing to the age of exploration.
Mehmed the Conqueror understood the importance of the city's location and initiated policies to restore its former glory, such as offering free housing and ordering various ethnic groups, including Greeks and Jews, to settle there.
The impact of the conquest was significant, not only for the displacement of Christian populations but also for the cultural interactions that ensued. Many refugees brought knowledge that helped fuel the Renaissance in Western Europe, and Istanbul continued to grow as an influential hub between two continents.