“The Sick Man of Europe” The Ottoman Empire

At the height of its power, OE stretched from Hungary in Europe to Algeria in N. Africa – But they were attempting to keep huge numbers of different people in check – This worked for a while and the Ottomans had a rather open way of looking at the lands it controlled, including religious tolerance (to an extent…) Suleyman I (r ) – Known for reforming the army and judicial system – Doubled the Ottoman territory – Rising period for Istanbul – Buildings that were created: Caravanserai Turkish baths Port of Golden Horn – Died during the war with Austria in Hungary – Succeeded by his son Selim II

The Ottoman Empire Selim II (r ) – Known for the beginning of the decline of the empire, Selim II was a distracted emperor His nickname was “Selim the Drunk” From here it continues to go downhill – By the time Selim III (r – 1808) comes to power, he has trouble returning the empire to the control of the Sultan – During his rule, problems with nationalism start to emerge and this is where the breakup beginnings Greece is the first in the 1830s

The European Perspective Europeans see the Ottoman Empire as weak and ready to be torn apart but they have to be careful, they can’t let any one country gain too much of the OE because it will unbalance Europe – What ended up happening is the rest of the major countries trying to keep Russia from getting too much land – Russia wanted Ottoman land because they were landlocked and wanted a way to trade in the Mediterranean Sea – Wanted a port on the Black Sea

The Crimean War Russia has been trying to get a port on the Black Sea since the Ottomans first took control of the land – 1853 – Crimean War broke out between the Ottomans and Russians – Britain and France fought on the side of the Ottomans because they wanted to keep the Russians from gaining any Ottoman land – Defeated Russia – Crimean War firsts: Women operated on the battlefield as nurses Covered by newspaper correspondents

The Great Game Even with help, Ottomans continued to lose land – Russians aided the Slavs in the Balkans – Ottomans lost Romania, Montenegro, Cyprus, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Bulgaria Also lost land in N. Africa British attempted to keep the Ottomans propped up, mostly to protect India (the Russians wanted it) – Maneuvering between the Russians and British became known as the Great Game – Britain tried to push its borders beyond India and Russia tried to push into India – They clash in Afghanistan and in 1921 Britain agrees its Indian holdings will not spread past the Khyber Pass

Egypt: Case Study History of Imperialism – Alexander the Great – The Romans – Napoleon and the French – Ottoman Empire Muslim – controlled most of the Middle East, Spain 1805 – Muhammad Ali – Ottoman officer » Seized power in Egypt and created an independent state » Although it was still HEAVILY influenced by the Ottoman Empire

Egypt: A Case Study Suez Canal – Started by French – 1856 – Ferdinand De Lesseps received Act of Concession from Egyptian viceroy to construct canal Sold stock in the canal company to help finance it – English take a huge interest in Egypt AFTER the canal is built Bought the Egyptian share of the stock (44%) Gets them safely and quickly to India British take control of Egypt in 1882 – Becomes British protectorate in 1914