Social Impacts of the Fall of Constantinople
City of Istanbul after the Fall of Constantinople circa 1500
The main social effect of the Fall of Constantinople was the reduction of the Greek Christian population to a secondary status within the Ottoman Empire. Many Christians were ragged and teased in the streets. The effect of this reduction is still seen today in the hatred that Greeks have toward Turks. The Fall of Constantinople also symbolized Islam's victory over Christendom. The victory made every Muslim believe that God was on their side and also made them believe they were the "chosen ones". It marked the shift of Christianities control over the Turkish area and a beginning of Muslim rule. The Fall of Constantinople also marked the beginning of Christendom's modern age. The most deafening symbol of the change in religion was the Hagia Sophia, a church, which was changed into a mosque shortly after the Fall under Sultan Mehmed II's orders.