Ottoman Empire Flashcards
Background information on the Ottoman Empire
Turkish tribes who migrated to Asia in 1300 and expanded to south-eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East.
Long empire ends in 1922 after 600 years of existence.
Implications of expansion and Ottoman Society- incorporation of new non-Muslim population.
The Sultan was top of government and had the absolute power
Historians quick to exert the reason for the decline of the Ottoman empire was because it did not modernise in the same way as western society.
Europeans lead to a loss of Ottoman territory and a rise of European influence in the Empire.
Sultan not impressed by the inability of the Ottoman empire to reform which became fossilised and unable to compete with Europe.
Decline thesis – based on the static nature of the Empire but criticised that it didn’t follow the Eurocentric model and didn’t look at the fact there might be something different to Europe.
Decline critique 2 – power drifted out to the provinces and was less centralised in Istanbul. Seen as a transformation of Ottoman polity society rather than sense of backwardness.
The role of the Tanzimat
The Tanzimat was a period of reform in 1839 and ended with the First Constitutional Era in 1876. There was an emulation of European methods of administration, education and political Organisation.
Reforms was a way of ensuring that they did not become the subjects of the western powers
Intended to effectuate a fundamental change of the Empire to transform into a modern state.
The Tanzimat reforms were only partially successful and did not halt the Ottoman decline.
Inspiration for reforms came from bureaucrats and not the Sultan and the rise of power was tied to European exposure. Rashid Pasha was the main figure of the Tanzimat era.
Although the policies did not discriminate against Muslims, it tended to reduce the institutional significance of religious establishment.
Nationality Law 1869
Nationality Law 1869 - sought to reinforce a common citizenship regardless of their religion - showed how far they were prepared to go to create reform.
The decrees sought to breakdown religious and cultural autonomy and to create a common Ottoman citizenship (stop Muslims from being dominant).
Muslims and non-Muslims had equal obligations in military services, state employment and education admission.
Greater level of autonomy by Millets who had previously been marginalised in the prior reforms.
Aimed to secure Christian loyalty at the time when there was growing European Nationalism
Educational and Legal Reform
Created a ministry of education in 1847 – expansion of the state’s role which had not previously been in the hands of the Ulamma.
A creation of a new secular elite. Skills to improve the country in a modern way.
New legal codes – based on French style. – secular courts to deal with disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims
Young Ottomans
not against the reforms as they called for a more democratic government but in a form of a consultation not similar to western democracy.
A focus on Islamic revival and believed the reformers had put the Empire into the worst position by depriving Islamic social and political values
Reform was desirable but had to be grounded in Islamic tradition.
Endorsed the concept of equality for all Ottoman citizens.
- Incorporation of selective European model but insisted on the retention of the Islamic foundations.
- Beginning of territorial patriotism
- European inspiration was the forefront of ottoman territorial disintegration.
Social and Economic Impact of Tanzimat
Adopting Codes of Administration – threatened to upset the balance between the notables and the state and undermined their privileges.
Recognition for the need to cooperate between Istanbul and other parts of the empire.
Recognise the need to liberalise trade - lifting trade barriers, more efficient system at collecting tax, new banks.
1958 – Land code – designed to increase tax efficiency by getting peasants to register with the government instead of tax farmers. Took advantage of economic European commercial ties - along Syrian coast.
The impact varied between states but helped create vast landlords.
Ottoman Finnances
By 1874 – 60% of funds were spent on loans as they contracted an additional 15 loans and money had to be diverted into paying back the loans rather than carrying out the reforms. – Became bankrupt.
War and Disputes
Had extensive plans to reform the military and navy but required large funds which they couldn’t not afford.
o To finance they borrowed large sums from European markets.
Had to contend with Russian expansion onto Ottoman territory
o Russia did this by: using religious ties (Greek Orthodox), Slavic cultural bond (Balkan independence movements) and by direct warfare against armies.
No great power was allowed to acquire gains from the Ottomans – coalition allies would come to rescue but in the case of the 1853 crisis the system broke down.
Engaged in Crimea war 1854-1856 – Russia tried to guarantee the position of orthodox Christians in the empire. Russia lost.
In Treaty of Paris – supposed to respect borders but Russia directed FP in Crimea to overturn restrictions for the next 20 years.
Had to contend with Austro-Hungarian Empire of the Hapsburg but exercised more cautious FP than Russia.
o Shared same problem with Ottomans
Anti-ottoman uprisings in Bosnia and Bulgaria 1875 – supressed by ottomans but Russia intervened.
Development of effective armed forces was not a luxury but a basic requirement for survival
The Ottoman Constitution of 1876
Ottoman elites believed Europe success came from political organisations not just technical institutions.
Constitutional government could provide a check on autocracy and better opportunity to put checks on gov.
After the death of the Sultan Abdul Aziz and the installation of new sultan Abdul Hamid II he proclaimed a new Ottoman constitution.
Placed minimal restrictions on the powers of the Sultan.
Retained power to make peace and war, appoint ministers, approve legislation, dismiss and convene the chamber.
Showed clear extent of the European influencers which existed in the ottoman bureaucracy.
Reaffirmed the equality of all Ottoman subjects and their right to serve in the new chamber of deputies.
More than just a political document it was a proclamation of Ottomanism + patriotism. Show it was capable of solving its problem.
But in 1878 – sultan Abdul Hamid II – dissolved the assembly, suspended the constitution and inaugurated himself in 30 years of autocratic rule.
