1. Chapter 11 Section 3

2.  European nations expanded their nations by seizing territories from Muslim states.  Political events in this vital resource area are still influenced by actions from the imperialistic period.

3.  Europeans began to look at other places to control besides Africa.  They focused on what was left of the Ottoman Empire. ◦ Land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

4.  The declining Ottoman Empire had difficulties trying to fit into the modern world.  In an effort to resist European imperialist powers, they made attempts to change.  These efforts failed.  Europeans began to look for ways to take the Ottoman’s lands.

5.  Geopolitics – an interest in or taking of land for its strategic location or products.  Geopolitics played a huge role in the desire for the Ottoman Empire.  World powers were attracted to its strategic location. ◦ Access to Mediterranean Sea ◦ Asian countries had to cross their land to get to the Mediterranean ◦ Discovery of oil (after WWI) in Persia and the Arabian Peninsula

6.  In an attempt to gain land on the Black Sea, Russian czars continuously started wars with the Ottomans.  1853 – Crimean War began. ◦ Russians v. Ottomans ◦ Britain and France help the Ottomans to prevent further Russian advancement. ◦ Russia lost.  First war to be published in newspapers.  First war where women established positions as army nurses. ◦ Ex. Florence Nightingale  Despite the help of the British and French the Ottoman Empire continued to decline.

8.  Based on the Ottoman Empire’s decline, some Muslim leaders felt they had no choice but to adjust to the modern world.  Egypt initiated political and social reforms, partially to block European domination.

9.  Egypt’s location at the head of the Red Sea appeared valuable to both France and Britain.  Muhammad Ali led Egypt and initiated many reforms for their military and economy. ◦ Pushed Egyptians to grow a cash crop – cotton  Peasants lost substantial land needed to grow their food crops.

10.  The Suez Canal was a human- made waterway that connected the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.  The Suez Canal was very expensive (450 million) to build and got Egypt into great debt.  Egypt could not even pay the interest on the debt.  British occupied Egypt in 1882.

11.  In the Muslim lands, many European imperialists gained control by using economic imperialism and creating spheres of influence.  Although some governments attempted to modernize their nations, it was usually too little too late.  In other areas of the globe, imperialists provided the modernization.