The Ottoman Tanzimat

What are the immediately noticeable differences between the dress of the figures in the two images?

What cultural links are there to the costumes in each picture?

The wearing of beards in the Ottoman military was regarded by Mahmud II’s officials as A sign of traditional Turkish dress and retained to encourage nationalism. Too close to the styles worn by the rebellious Greeks and so deemed treasonous. A sign of virility and so encouraged among officers. A fire hazard, and so they ordered that beards be removed.

The Ottoman Empire and the European Model Early Struggles for Reform -- 1790’s – Sultan Selim III: Strengthened Military Centralization of Power Standardized taxation and land tenure Opposed by: Janissaries, noblemen, and Ulama

Janissary Revolt in Serbia Tensions between Sultanate and Janissaries led to revolt in 1805 Serbian peasants helped defeat Janissaries Serbs took opportunity and broke from Empire (!)

Results of Revolt Selim III suspended reform program – 1806, but TOO LATE to prevent massive uprising in Istanbul Selim captured and executed (gulp) before capital recaptured

Traumatic episodes such as the Janissary revolt in 1805 taught the Ottomans that reform Was hopeless. Needed to be carried out more gradually and sympathetically. Needed to be carried out systematically and forcefully. Could only be carried out with the help of the Europeans.

Army and Society in the Early Tanzimat Era (1826-1853) 1829 – Greeks gained independence w/help of Britain, France, Russia Sultan Mahmud II saw loss of Greece as sign of weakness in Ottoman financial and military organization. Used outrage over loss of Greece to pass reforms.

Tanzimat Reforms 1. Creation of new army corps 2. Elimination of Janissaries Reduction of political power of religious elite (Ulama)

Tanzimat Reforms (cont) Sultan Adul Mejid continued reforms in 1839 1. Military cadets sent to France & Germany for training. 2. Military education model for general education. 3. Foreign subjects taught, foreign instructors employed 4. French became linga franca in education

Abdul Mecid

Abdul Mecid

Which of the following was not accomplished by the leaders of the Ottoman Empire in their reform program? They made the military more effective. They strengthened the power of the religious elite. They standardized the tax system. They brought the empire under more centralized control.

Effects of Tanzimat Reforms Growth of wealth and influence of urban elites (vis traditional nobles, janissaries, Ulama) Cultural and social effects including European clothing styles, equal access to courts for all males, equalization of taxation

Istanbul c. 1870’s

Limits to the Tanzimat Reforms Rights and political participation for men only. Reforms decreased influence of women. Cash economy and competitive labor market drove women from work force.

What resulted from the many reforms made by the Ottomans? Complete independence from Europe. The preservation of traditional institutions like the Janissaries. The creation of a practical base for the formation of the Turkish republic. A complete revolt of Ottoman subjects and the rapid fall of the empire in the 1820’s.