[TurkiyeToday] European intellectuals were once staunch enemies of the Turks due to geopolitics and historical enmities. Many European thinkers wrote works on how to dismantle the Ottoman Empire. Alongside this, the Ottoman style of governance was also cited as an example in the works of intellectuals.
In the 16th century, theorists of absolutism in Europe, such as Jean Bodin and similar thinkers, stated that the Ottoman Empire was an example of an ideal political system. Writers and thinkers like Giovio, Frense-Caneye, and Busbecq also praised the Ottoman military and administrative system in their works.
Erasmus, a renowned European thinker who gained great fame with his book "The Praise of Folly," in his work "Utilissima Consultatio de Bello Turcis Inferendo .." (A Most Useful Consultation Concerning the War Against the Turks), described the Turks as barbarians of obscure origin. He stated that they had conquered a significant part of Europe due to the differences in opinion among Christians and then emphasized the need to liberate their brethren who were now under captivity. While Erasmus did not justify religious war, he argued that for Christianity to survive, the Turks needed to be eliminated.
Another famous European thinker and scientist, Francis Bacon, in his work "An Advertisement Touching An Holy Warre," written in 1622 and published in London in 1629, argued that waging war against the Turks was justified by the laws of nature, human laws, and sacred laws.
The famous German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, in his work "Memoire de Leibnitz a Louis 14, sur la conquete de l'Egypte, publie avec une preface..." (Leibniz's Memoir to Louis XIV, on the Conquest of Egypt, published with a preface...) presented to King Louis XIV of France in 1672, told the Sun King that "the conditions for the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire are very favorable, and not only Egypt but the entire East awaits a liberator whom it will fearlessly follow in revolt."
Leibniz put forward very appealing ideas to persuade Louis XIV to go to war: "If France wars with Holland, it can only find allies by paying for them. However, if it wars against the Turks, many will come to Your Majesty's aid. The Pope, the Italian princes, Sicily, and Spain will support you. When the anticipated success in the Egyptian war is achieved, the sea and land routes of Eastern trade will be seized. The honor of being the commander-in-chief of the Christians and the elimination of the Turkish Empire will belong to the King of France. The title of Emperor of the East, the arbiter of the world, and the ruler of the Christian world will be remembered with glory and honor for the king." 
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