How did geographical factors influence the success of constantinople?
it was protected from invasion and attack by high mountains
it was suited on a strait connecting two major waterways used for trade
it had access to fresh river water amid an otherwise arid climate
it could support it populace through farming and grazing on vast grasslands

It was situated on a strait connecting two major waterways used for trade.

Constantinople was situated right in the middle of Bosporus, Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Hence all trade between North Africa, Asia and Europe had to pass through Constantinople. Hence due to this trade, Constantinople levied taxes which contributed to the wealth it earned.

the protestant reformation's started in 1517, disturbing the religious and political order in europe´s catholic countries. the outcome was the european wars of religion prosecuted in europe in the 16th, 17th and part of the 18th century. nonetheless, uprisings, territorial disputes, and great power conflicts were also causes of the wars.  

when world war i broke out across europe in 1914, president woodrow wilson proclaimed the united states would remain neutral, and many americans supported this policy of nonintervention. however, public opinion about neutrality started to change after the sinking of the british ocean liner lusitania by a german u-boat in 1915; almost 2,000 people perished, including 128 americans. along with news of the zimmerman telegram threatening an alliance between germany and mexico, wilson asked congress for a declaration of war against germany. the u.s. officially entered the conflict on april 6, 1917.