1. Ottoman Empire in Decline
Unit 6 Day 1

2. 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

3. The Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire,

4. The Decline of the Ottoman Empire, 1807-1924

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 ) plans to destroy janissaries by building up loyal artillery
1826 provokes revolt of janissary corps by requiring them to train like Europeans

8. Liberalism in the Ottoman Empire
Tanzimat (regulations)
Period of liberal reform from
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”

9. 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 )

10. 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

11. Rise and Fall of Egypt Muhammad Ali’s Conquest of Syria
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

12. 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

13. The Suez Canal (opened 1869)
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

14. 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 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 ( )

15. The Ottoman Decline - Aftermath
By 1882
British advisers maintain hegemonic influence in Turkey
British directly administer Egypt