Discuss the reasons for, and impact of, the Ottoman conquest of Egypt and Syria.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for, and the impact of, the Ottoman conquest of Egypt and Syria. Causes and consequences may extend beyond the timeframe but must be clearly linked to the issues raised in the question. For reasons, candidates may refer to the defeat of the Safavids which allowed the Ottomans to redirect their armies, the power of the Ottoman armies, the weakness of the Mamluks and the commercial and strategic importance of Egypt and Syria. For impact, candidates may refer to increased Ottoman influence in the Muslim world through their control of Mecca and Medina, Ottoman power limited Western imperialism and protected Muslim trade routes in the Red Sea and on the African coast. The conquest opened the way for the Ottoman conquest of North Africa and increased Muslim power in the Mediterranean. The conquest of Egypt secured the southern flank of the Empire and allowed the Ottomans to direct their armies to their principal goal of expansion into central and Eastern Europe. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.