'Ottoman-Portuguese Maritime Conflict in the 16th Century'

Abstract

The study discussed the Ottoman-Portuguese maritime conflict in the sixteenth century AD, the seriousness of this conflict and its repercussions on the Arab region, as well as the importance of the Ottoman role in addressing the Portuguese threat that targeted the region religiously, commercially and politically.

The research aims to show the motives of the Portuguese and Ottomans of the conflict that raged between them during the sixteenth century, with the manifestations of failure and success of both parties.

The researcher adopted the historical research method, depending on the most important sources and references of the studies of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea of the sixteenth century.

The first chapter discussed the motives of the Ottoman-Portuguese conflict and it includes two topics: the first is the motives of Portugal, and the second is the Ottoman motives.

The second chapter discussed Fronts of the Ottoman-Portuguese conflict in the 16th century, which came in two categories: the first is the conflict in the Red Sea, and the second is the Arabian Gulf. The third chapter discussed the evaluation of the Ottoman efforts and the success or failure of the Ottomans and the Portuguese.

The results of the research showed the religious, political and economic objectives of the two sides of the conflict, and the obstacles that prevented the Ottoman Empire from ending the Portuguese threat, including: Islamic dispersion, the weakness of the Ottoman fleet in exchange for the Portuguese fleet and the preoccupation of the Ottomans and the fortifications of the Portuguese.