Sultan Mehmed II: The Millet System

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Sultan Mehmed II established the millet system in 1453. This system allowed people under their rule to practice their own religion freely, collect their own taxes, speak their own language, have their own courts, and have their own religious leaders. The Sephardic Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, and were welcomed and given Ottoman citizenship by the Eighth Sultan, Bavezid II. Because of this system the Jews were able to practice their faith and uphold their traditions, something that usually came with great difficulty throughout history.