31- Societies at Crossroads Flashcards
Muhammad Ali
Ruler of Egypt, took power after failed invasion by Napoleon. Seceded from Ottoman empire. Promoted military and industrial development (cotton industry).
Capitulations and extraterritoriality
Grants allowing European to be governed by their own laws in Ottoman empire. Regarded as an intrusion of sovereignty; used to create tax havens.
Ottoman military decline
Faced defeats by Russia and Austria, lagged behind Europe in technology and strategy. Janissaries neglected their training and revolted. Provincial governors took power, had own taxes.
Ottoman economic decline
Merchants traded through Atlantic instead of overland Manufactured goods from Europe pressured Ottoman artisans. They depended on foreign capital for industrialization; lost money on expenditures. Faced corruption, rising taxes, agricultural declines. Interest took 1/2 of revenue, had to be administered by other nations
Mahmud II
Ottoman tyrant, launched reform program. Killed Janissaries, modernized military, created new schools, strengthened central gov’t.
Tanzimat
Reform era, followed Mahmud’s rule. Goals: Prevent future rebellions; reform military, legal, and education systems. Public trials and equality for all religions. Undermined the Ulama (Muslim law). Criticized by religious conservatives
Abdul Hamid
Ottoman sultan after Tanzimat, installed after radical dissidents overthrew the bureaucracy. Got rid of parliament, exiled liberals, conducted executions. Continued Tanzimat reforms
The Young Turks
Liberal dissident organization founded by exiles. Universal suffrage, equality, freedom of religion, secularization, women’s rights. Installed Mehmed Rashid as puppet ruler. Tried to strengthen hegemony, worsened tensions with subjects who sought autonomy.
Crimean War
Russia upset the balance of power when expanding to Ottoman empire, defeated by a coalition of Britain, France, and Ottoman empire. Horrible loss.
How was Russian society very different from Western Europe in the 19th century?
Orthodox church still in society. Tsars were autocratic leaders, no representative gov’t. Agrarian society w/ unfree labor.
Zemstvos
Elected local assemblies w/ representatives. Could not override central tsar rule; nobles controlled most of the seats. Did not lead to change.
To what extent did emancipation improve the life of serfs or of Russian society?
Serfs could still not own lands, they had few rights, had to pay redemption tax. Many peasants were in debt; emancipation led to little gains in productivity.
Count Sergei Witte
Finance minister, led industrialization program. Protected new industries with tariffs and western capital.
Trans-Siberia railway
Centrepiece of Russian industrialization program, opened Siberia to exploitation, settlement, industrialization, and economic development.
How was industrialization similar and different for Russia compared to Western Europe?
Similar: Both developed railroads, steel, coal, and petroleum industries. Faced rebellion from workers who didn't like factories and low wages. Quality of life decreased. A wealthy owner class developed. Different: Capitalism was driven by political and military reform rather than free enterprise; they depended on foreign capital; businesspeople did not challenge tsar authority.
Pogroms
Anti-Jewish rebellions, caused many Jews to flee Russia
What were the ideas of the intelligentsia, especially the anarchists?
Did not like unbridled capitalism; sought political and social equality; worked toward a socialist system that still kept with Russia tradition. Anarchists believed freedom did not exist with government; used terrorism.
How did the tsarist government respond to dissent?
Dissidents imprisoned; censored publications, led to further radicalization. Responded to separatist movements with Russification program to repress non-Russian languages and enforce tsarist education.
Bloody Sunday
Works protested Nicholas for concessions; asked for popular elected assembly and political freedoms. Gov’t troops killed 130. Sparked labor unrest and rebellion.
What factors led to the revolutionary turmoil of 1905 (Bloody Sunday)?
Political and social discontent; Land and Freedom party killed Alexander II, government vowed to enforce repression and police control. Faced military defeat against Japan at Port Arthur- sparked turmoil.
Why did the British turn to the Opium trade?
They had trade imbalance with China. Used as an alternative to bullion
What did the Opium War demonstrate?
Chinese attacked port of Canton angst. British for social problems caused by Opium. Showed difference in military prowess between Britain and China, as they were defeated easily.
Treaty of Nanjing
Treaty signed at end of Opium war. Designed to curtail China’s sovereignty. Gave Hong Kong to Britain, opened ports to trade, granted extraterritorially, legalized Opium trade, promoted Christian missions, dismantled tributary states system.
What were some factors causing discontent and rebellion in China?
Social problems such as poverty as a result of the growing population. Corruption, drug addiction, and inequality.
