Which statement describes the Ottoman Empire's treatment of non-Muslims and religious tolerance?

• A. They enslaved neighboring kingdoms.
• B. They lived in peace with other religious people.
• C. They expelled all Christians and Jews.
• D. They banned all trade with non-Muslims.

Answer: (C)

How the Ottoman Empire handled religious diversity is being tested. The system the empire used was the millet framework, which organized non-Muslim communities so they could govern themselves in many personal matters—things like marriage, divorce, and inheritance—under their own religious leaders. In return, these communities stayed loyal to the sultan and paid a special tax. This arrangement allowed Christians and Jews to practice their faith, maintain houses of worship, and participate in city life, contributing to the empire’s economy and culture.

This setup shows a level of tolerance relative to many other early modern regimes, though it came with legal and social unequal status compared to Muslims. While there were occasional periods of pressure or coercion in particular places or moments, there was no imperial policy of expelling all Christians and Jews. So the statement describing mass expulsions doesn’t align with how the Ottoman state managed religious diversity.