The military played a significant role in the Ottoman empire and its economy. The Ottomans’ early conquest victories due to the cavalry led to the development of the warrior aristocracy. Also, for their service to the military, warriors were given land and peasant farmers in annexed areas. A part of the military were the Janissaries, an infantry division. Generally, the men were forcibly conscripted as boys from the Balkans and other conquered areas to serve, but sometimes parents willingly gave their sons to the army because of the opportunity to rise in status. Although they were legally slaves, the youths were enrolled in schools for a time and converted to Islam. By the mid-15th century, the imperial army was dominated by the Janissaries.