Question

Mark each statement that correctly describes the political and religious conflicts between the Ottoman and Safavid empires.

Answer 1

The Safavid and Ottoman dynasties were both of Turkish ethnicity. The Safavid empire extended from the Caucasia ( Armenia, Azeribijan, etc.) to India, Iraq, the Persian Gulf, and parts of central Asia and the Caspian Sea.The Ottoman empire, on the other hand, ruled the the rest of the Islamic empire (Middle East, Balkans, and North Africa). 

The Ottoman empire was older and stronger than the young Safavid empire, but the Ottomans were alarmed as the Safavid strength and influence grew and felt their interest was threatened. Moreover, the Safavid followed Shia Islam, while the Ottoman people were followers of Sunni/Sufi Islam. 

But the main reasons for the conflict are rather political than for sectarian religious factors as many try to force this idea of Sunni/Shia conflict. 

As the Safavid empire grew, it pushed its territories as far as Iraq and eastern Turkey, carving for itself a considerable chunk of Ottoman territory. This was the point when the Ottomans felt in danger and waged war on their cousins the Safavid.

Answer 2

Answer:

There are both political and religious reasons behind the conflicts between the two empires.

Explanation:

Political Reasons:

Since the establishment of the Safavid dynasty in Persia (Iran) there were struggles between the two empires due to the following:

1. Trade Embargoes:

The Ottomans were consistently using trade embargoes against the Safavid Empire and were arresting the people crossing into their country which culminated into the Battle of Chaldiran (1514) followed by a century of border confrontation.

2. Border confrontation:

The Treaty of Zuhab, signed between the two empires recognised Iraq in Ottoman control, and partitioned Caucasus into two between the two empires.

Religious Reason:

One of the important reasons of the combative relationship is due to religion. While the Safavid's were the worshippers of Shia Islam, the Ottoman's were the followers of Sunni Islam.

After the signing of a peace treaty, Treaty of Erzurum (1847), peace was ensured between the two empires after centuries of rivalry.