Question

ottoman sultan mehmed ii helped to strengthen the empire by
promoting religious
diversity.
changing constantinople to
istanbul.
helping janissaries get
government jobs.
taxing non - muslims less
than muslims.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option "changing Constantinople to Istanbul": Renaming the city was more of a symbolic or administrative act of taking over, not a key strength - building measure.
• Option "helping Janissaries get government jobs": Janissaries were a military corps, and while they had influence, this wasn't a primary way Mehmed II strengthened the empire.
• Option "taxing non - Muslims less than Muslims": In fact, non - Muslims (dhimmis) were taxed more (jizya) than Muslims, so this is incorrect.
• Option "promoting religious diversity": Mehmed II allowed different religious groups (like Christians, Jews) to practice their faith, govern themselves in some ways (millets), which helped in uniting and stabilizing the diverse population of the empire, thus strengthening it.

Answer:

A. promoting religious diversity.