As the Bulgarian National Revival ramps up with more and more books being published, rebellions break out throughout the Balkans. Mahmud's reforms trigger elites angry about their status being threatened and Balkan Christians angry the reforms are not being implemented. Meanwhile, Sultan Mahmud II is feeling confident that his reformed military can take on the Egyptians.

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In the aftermath of the fighting over Greece's independence, we take a moment to reflect on the stage being set for Bulgaria in the 19th century: the great power politics, mismatch between political dreams and realities, and changing Ottoman reality. Meanwhile, Egypt make a move to form an Empire and the Ottomans find an unlikely ally.

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As the Greek situation in their war of independence looks worse and worse, Sultan Mahmud II finally executes his masterstroke to begin reforming the Empire. But, with European sentiments towards the Greeks and Ottomans changing, the geopolitics of the Balkans are about to change dramatically.

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Following Serbia's successful revolt, the Greeks no see whether they can overcome the Ottoman military and Europe's newfound anti-revolutionary conservatism to gain their independence. Meanwhile, new wealth, stability, and writings are laying the groundwork for the Bulgarian National Revival.

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With the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the European powers are defining a new way to relate to one another. Alongside this new "concert of Europe" comes a new distaste for revolutionary anti-Ottoman movements. In this new context, the Second Serbian Uprising will rise with a new leader and aim to fulfill at least some of the promises of the first. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire itself will finally begin to bring some peace and prosperity back to its Balkan territories.

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As the Serbian Uprising and the Napoleonic Wars rage, shifting alliances create new geopolitical realities before anyone can adapt. Meanwhile, the Ottomans frantically try to reform themselves to survive in this fast-changing world. Amidst the chaos, a new Sultan comes to power who may just have what it takes.

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This episode recaps the second half of Season 5, beginning with the 1683 Battle of Vienna and following how the 18th century fundamentally reshaped the Ottoman Empire as the central government lost power to the Janissaries and local Ayans as the Ottomans gradually lost territory.

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This episode recaps the first half of Season 5, beginning from the death of Suleiman and covering the long Ottoman wars with the Habsburgs, Safavids, Russians, and Principalities. In the process, we see how the Empire weakens as the Sultans lose power and the Janissaries gain it.

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As the Ottomans struggle to fight Janissary supremacy and rampant banditry within their own borders, the twists and turns of the Napoleonic Wars are throwing redrawing the map of Europe. In the midst of it all, new alliances will be created as the Serbs fight to gain their independence.

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With internal rebellions and powerful empires at the gates, the Ottomans are looking weaker than ever. However, the entrance of a certain Napoleon Bonaparte onto the stage will reshape the entire European world, Ottomans included.

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