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OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN DECLINE
Unit 6 Day 1
Brief History of the Ottomans Ottomans were a small Muslim tribe who migrated
from Persia (modern Iraq) to Anatolia (modern Turkey) in the thirteenth century.
In early fourteenth century Ottomans take advantage of the breakdown of the powerful Seljuk Empire to rise to power in the region.
Ottomans gradually gain ground over the next hundred years, breaking into Europe in 1453 when they conquer the ancient capital of the Byzantine empire at Constantinople.
By 1700 Ottomans rule an empire that stretches around the Mediterranean up to the boarders of the Austrian Empire
The Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, 1300-1700
The Ottoman Empire
The Decline of the Ottoman Empire, 1807-1924
Ottoman Government
Sultan Absolute political and religious rulers In the 17th century, envied by
absolute kings in Europe like Louis XIV
Janissary corps Unlike absolute rulers in Europe who
built on existing feudal system, sultans were supported by janissary corps
Composed of slave servants who comprised both the military and bureaucratic hierarchy
Over time becomes privileged and resistant to change
Beginnings of Decline
Question: What pressures facing the Ottoman Empire in the early nineteenth century resulted in decline? Military Advances
European countries reorganize armies along modern lines
Industrial Revolution Industrial advancement develops in England and
spreads slowly southward Liberalism
Ideas about liberal government begin to undermine absolute authority of Sultans
End of the Janissary Corps
Military disorganization allows decentralization of empire, growing power of local governors (Egypt)
In early 1800s Janissary corps opposed modernization of army
Mahmud II (r. 1809-1389) plans to destroy janissaries by building up loyal artillery
1826 provokes revolt of janissary corps by requiring them to train like Europeans
Liberalism in the Ottoman Empire Tanzimat (regulations)
Period of liberal reform from 1839-1876 Sponsored by British “advisers” and liberal
Ottoman statesman Goals
Creation of constitution and parliament Legal Equality of Muslims, Christians, and Jews Modernized bureaucracy and military Relaxation of tariffs on foreign goods Reduction of slavery
Goes hand in hand with cultural “westernization”
Problems with the Tanzimat
Question: What factors prevented the Tanzimat from reversing the period of Ottoman decline? Lack of well-trained trustworthy officials Growing nationalism in the Balkans Economic hegemony of European Banks
Hegemony – indirect dominance of one nation over others 1875 Ottoman state declares bankruptcy, European banks take over
finances Failure to resolve religious tension
Particularly among conservative Muslims Feel liberalism departs from Islamic tradition
Tanzimat reforms ended in 1876 under conservative Sultan Abdulhamid (r. 1876-1909)
Rise and Fall of Egypt
Muhammad Ali (r. 1805-1848) Served as Wali (governor) of
Egypt under Ottoman Empire Ushers in economic and military
modernization of Egypt Builds a powerful, modernized
army Mostly slaves from the Sudan
and Egyptian peasants Trained and equipped by French
military advisers Develops export economy aimed at
European Markets After 1821 high-quality cotton
Rise and Fall of Egypt
1831- moves army into Syria, prepares to depose Sultan
Efforts halted by combined efforts of Britain, Russia, Austria
1839 – Ottoman forces decimated trying to drive Ali’s armies from Syria
Britain convinces France to end support, forces Muhammad Ali to return Syria to Ottoman Empire
Britain a constant presence in Ottoman Empire from this point on
Muhammad Ali’s Conquest of Syria
Rise and Fall of Egypt
Ismail Pasha - the Magnificent (r.1863-1879) Grandson of Muhammad Ali Rules Egypt as khedive (prince) Continues the Modernization of Egypt
Expands Egyptian cotton production after 1863
Rebuilds city of Cairo into modern capital Begins work on Suez Canal
Rise and Fall of Egypt
The Suez Canal (opened 1869)
• Built as a result of collaboration between Egypt and France – French Engineers design and oversee construction by Egyptian peasants
• When opened in 1869 shortens distance of sea voyage to India by 5,100 miles
• Initially opposed by British, but quickly recognized as invaluable to their colonial interests in India
The Rise and Fall of Egypt
Ismail Pasha and Suez Canal is both Ismail Pasha’s greatest legacy
and downfall Massive Egyptian debt ($450 million) bought
by British and French Governments Ismail forced to accept European Finance
Ministers 1882 Nationalistic civil war in Egypt put
down by British expeditionary force From 1883-1922 Egypt directly
administered by British consuls British army maintains presence in Egypt
until 1956 to protect the Suez Canal
Evelyn Baring – British Consul to Egypt (1883-1907)
The Ottoman Decline - Aftermath
By 1882 British advisers maintain hegemonic influence
in Turkey British directly administer Egypt