The fact is, the Ottomans faced significant structural problems during this era, and dealing with them is always going to be a lot more complicated then putting another 'badass' on the throne.
Hello everyone! I'm new at this site. I'm from Turkey. I have quite knowledgeable about world history and history is my hobby. I hope to benefit from knowledge of other participians and submit some information. My English is not perfect. So please excuse my mistakes. Ok, now I can proceed according to subject:
I agree with Space Oddity's notion. Ottomans had structural and geographical problems. It was very difficult to find solutions to those problems. I will try to explain some of those problems in another message. Now, a short summary about candidates for the throne in the age of Suleyman:
There were three strong candidates of the throne among sons of Suleyman: Mustafa, Selim and Bayezid. Mother of Selim and Bayezid was famous Roxalane (Hurrem). As you know Suleyman killed Mustafa. After death of Roxalane, Selim and Bayezid clashed. Selim defeated Bayezid. Because Suleyman sent him professional soldiers (janissaries). Bayezid escaped to Persia. Suleyman both threatened and bribed Tahmasb (ruler of Persia). So he could kill Bayezid also.
Selim the Sob was the worst candidate. He never managed the army as his ancestors. His son, Murat III was a womanizer. Also he did not campaigned personnally. And they did almost nothing to solve problems of the empire. Mustafa and Bayezid were warriors. Certainly they would have achieved better if they could be Sultan. But it was
nearly impossible to solve problems of the empire.