Foundation and early expansion

The foundation of the Ottoman Empire began in the late 13th century, when a small Turkish state was established in northwestern Anatolia by Osman I. His successors expanded this territory through military conquests and strategic alliances. By the late 14th century, the Ottomans had captured important cities such as Bursa and Adrianople. Their early expansion was fueled by a mix of effective leadership, a well-organized military, and the decline of neighboring empires, allowing them to gain control over key trade routes and territories in southeastern Europe, western Asia, and beyond, setting the stage for a powerful empire.