While following the Modern European History course, two states really stood out and piqued my interest the most. These were the Ottoman Empire and modern Europe. If you compare the Ottoman Empire and modern Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, you will see that there are a number of similarities as well as differences when you look at the expansion of states. You'll also see many of these contrasts when you look at each state's military and commerce. Although the Ottoman Empire existed before the 16th century and continued to exist beyond the 18th century and in great decline until the beginning of the 20th century, if we consider the state as a whole, the period spanning from the 1500s to the 1700s is a time of growth and strength. . It is perhaps even known as a golden age for the state, when comparing early modern Europeans, where the same period marks a shift in the way society thought and how people were treated. Before my research, there were two interesting articles. which caught my attention regarding the states and questions addressed in this essay. The first article is A Survey of the Turkish Empire by Sir William Eton. In the article, Eton talks about his admiration for the glorious army that once belonged to the Ottoman Empire. He describes the Turkish army as “formidable” and organized. Eton's tune quickly changes into criticizing their flaws and ultimately what led to their demise. Eton states that "this is a gathering crowd rather than a raised army." This article had a great impact because by researching the topic, I was able to better understand the role of the army in the Ottoman Empire. Another...... middle of article... ...ern History Sourcebook: William Eton: Survey of Turkey 1799." FORDHAM.EDU. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1799Ottomans.html (accessed May 1, 2011). Merry E. Wiesner -Hanks, Early Modern Europe, 1450-1789 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006), 104Ebel, Kathryn A. “Representations of the Border in Views of Sixteenth-Century Ottoman Towns” Imago Mundi 60, no. 1 (January). 2008): 1-22 (accessed April 20, 2011). 223. wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.14781913.1967.tb01260.x/abstract?globalMessage=0 (accessed April 28, 2011) Szostak, R. 1991. Role of transport in the industrial revolution: England compared. and France, Montreal, QC, CAN: McGill-Queen's University Press..