Ottoman Empire

The Modern Era

(1750-1900)

Remember the Ottomans? Conquered Constantinople in 1453:

Istanbul “Golden Age” under Suleyman

Magnificent in mid 16th c. Janissaries Blend Byzantine, Arab, & Persian styles Dominate overland trade routes

The Acorn . . . specifics5.1 Industrialization and Global CapitalismIv. There were major developments in transportation and communication including railroads, steamships, telegraphs and canals.

V. The development and spread of global capitalism led to a variety of responses. C. In a small number of states, governments promoted their own state-sponsored visions of industrialization. (such as the economic reforms of Meiji Japan, the development of factories and railroads in Tsarist Russia, China’s Self-Strengthening program or Muhammad Ali’s development of a cotton textile industry in Egypt)

5.2 Imperialism and Nation-State FormationII. Imperialism influenced state formation and contraction around the world. C. Anti-imperial resistance led to the contraction of the Ottoman Empire. (such as the establishment of independent states in the Balkans, semi-independence in Egypt. French and Italian colonies in North Africa or later British influence in Egypt)

5.3 Nationalism, Revolution, and ReformIII. Increasing discontent with imperial rule and the spread of Enlightenment ideas propelled reformist and

revolutionary movements. F. Responses to increasingly frequent rebellions led to reforms in imperial policies. (such as the Tanzimat movement . . .)

Ottoman Empire at beginning of Modern Era

Ottoman Decline (18th & 19th c.): the Sick Man of Europe

Government corruption, ineptitude, series of assassinations

Competition from European products & usurpation of trade routes by Europeans led to economic decline

Intellectual stagnation

Challenges to the Ottoman Empire The West: Napoleon invaded Muslim heartland of

Egypt in 1798 & quickly conquered weak Ottoman Egyptian forces. He was only expelled because of British aid/alliance.

Decentralization: As the empire decayed, regional forces from within the Empire began to emerge. Inspired by Enlightenment ideas & nationalistic fervor,

Christian regions of the Balkans rebelled with European encouragement & achieved independence.

Muhammad Ali strengthens & separates Egypt

Greek War for Independence: 1821-1832

Crimean War: 1854-1856

Otto, FR, & Brit v. Russia Origins: Russian

expansionism & conflict over holy lands

Used railways & telegraphs and female nurses

Ended with agreement to respect Ottoman’s independence & territorial integrity --keep “The sick man of Europe” around

Muhammad Ali “Father of Modern Egypt” Ottoman sultan appointed him as governor (pasha) over Egypt

in 1805. Instituted lots of reforms:

Land reform Tax system Euro-style bureaucracy Agricultural improvements …led to LOTS of cotton production --

Egypt became one of world’s largest cotton producers Modern printing press & education systems Military reformed along Euro lines

Even tried to overthrow Ottomans …but prevented by French & British --why would the French & British care/interfere???

British take over Egypt When Muhammad Ali died in 1848, Egypt was most

powerful state in Mid East, but it quickly declined. Completion of Suez Canal in 1869 made Egypt of vital

strategic importance to the British as a link to their colonies in India & Africa.

Modernization (including the canal) was expensive & Egypt had a LOT of foreign debt.

After the US Civil War when world cotton market collapsed from overproduction, Egypt couldn’t pay its international debts ….

… So, Britain took control of state finances & the Suez Canal. After putting down a nationalist uprising in 1882, Britain made Egypt a protectorate.

The Suez Canal gives ‘the lion’s share’ to the British with the key to India

Tanzimat Reforms

mid 19th century attempts to modernize the Ottoman Empire, (army,

education, legal reforms) Decrees guaranteed public trials, equality before the law

regardless if Muslim or not etc Inspired by Enlightenment thought encouraged Ottomanism among the diverse ethnic

groups, to stem the tide of nationalist movements within the Ottoman Empire.

Increasing discontent and the spread of Enlightenment ideas propelled reformist and revolutionary movements (so says the Acorn) such as . . . . Tanzimat Reforms

Demise of the Ottoman Empire end of the 19th c, Ottomans remained as last independent

Muslim state …but weak.

Reforms were too little, too late; opposed by Religious conservatives

Early 20th c, group of liberals (Young Turks) deposed autocratic ruler & instituted more reforms. But they ended up supporting Germany & Austria-Hungary in WWI, & after the war the empire was broken up & occupied by foreign powers

From its ruins, a new Islamic state, the Republic of Turkey rose.

The Young Turks Revolt: 1908 The Committee of Union and Progress

(CUP).

Mehmet Talaat

Grand Vizier, 1917-1918

Enver Pasha Minister of War

Ottoman Commander- in-Chief

The Young Turks Program

Pushed for reforms basic democratic rights:

freedom of speech.

freedom of assembly.

freedom of the press.

Problem of nationalism within (heterogeneous empire).

The Ottoman Empire in 1914

Varied Reaction to European Domination Westernization: copy the social, political,

economic, & military structure of West. Usually these reforms affected only educated elites & political change was superficial.

Nationalism: which kind do you think?? Resistance: some hated Euro political & economic

domination that often accompanied reform; lots of anti-Western riots & wars with European countries

Islamic Fundamentalism: especially in Sudan as led by Mahdi in 1881.