While the Safavid Empire (modern-day Iran) and the Ottoman Empire were rivals, the Safavids' existence and conflicts with the Ottomans did not directly "save" Europe, but rather, they prevented the Ottomans from focusing solely on European expansion.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Ottoman-Safavid Rivalry: The Safavid Empire, a Shi'a Muslim dynasty, emerged in Persia (modern-day Iran) in the early 16th century, challenging the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region.
Ottoman Expansion in Europe:
The Ottomans were expanding into Europe, particularly in the Balkans and Hungary, and were a significant threat to the Habsburgs and other European powers.
The "Long" Ottoman War:
The Ottomans engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Safavids, known as the "long" Ottoman war (1603-1618), which diverted Ottoman resources and attention from their European campaigns.
Ottoman-Safavid Wars:
The Ottoman-Safavid wars, including the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1623-1639, were fought over control of Mesopotamia and other territories.
The Safavids' Role:
The Safavids' existence as a strong, independent power in the East meant that the Ottomans could not focus all their resources on Europe.
Ottoman-Habsburg Wars:
The Ottomans also fought wars with the Habsburgs in Europe, including the Siege of Vienna in 1683, which marked a turning point in Ottoman expansion in Europe.
Decline of the Ottoman Empire:
The Ottomans faced internal problems and external pressures, including wars with Russia, Austria, and Poland, which led to the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
Conclusion:
While the Safavids' actions did not directly "save" Europe from the Ottomans, their resistance and the wars they fought against the Ottomans did prevent the Ottomans from fully consolidating their power in Europe and allowed European powers to resist their expansion.
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French Revolution and Napoleonic France (1789 to 1815).
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