Not so easy!

Submitted by Pantelis Giannopoulos (Greece), Jun 25, 2012 at 14:00

Sorry to say but those are not quite accurate! The same strife that existed during the fall of Byzantine Empire existed during the decay of the Ottoman Empire at the 18th century.They didn't bring peace in the way that you suggest because they were expanding their empire until 1683. The contribution of the Ottomans were a number of aqueducts,a few hospitals, roads and public baths (hamams).

Also you can't say that people were content, having to endure forced islamization (at the beginning of the conquest, through the years the ottoman administration preferred taxes), great taxation to support the military expeditions and of course the janissarism (devshirmeh). Young christian boys, that were taken away from their families, transformed to fanatical muslims that filled the ranks of the ottoman army or the administration of the state.Sokollu Mehmet Pasha was one of them.

As for the future of the Balkans you forget that all the states have old connections with most of the global powers. Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece with Russia (their political systems also with EU and USA). Albania and FYROM with the USA but they are trying to enter the EU. That means it won't be easy for Germany to gain the leadership of this region.The others will fight hard!

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