The sick man of Europe - History of the Ottoman Empire (1800 - 1900)
TLDRThe 19th century witnessed the Ottoman Empire's decline, marked by desperate alliances and internal strife. Sultan Selim III faced challenges from Napoleon's Egypt incursion and internal rebellions, leading to his deposition. His successors, Mustafa IV and Mahmud II, navigated wars, including the Russo-Turkish conflicts and Greek independence, while attempting reforms. Mahmud II initiated the Tanzimat era, modernizing Turkey, but died before seeing its effects. Abdulmecid continued reforms but faced the Oriental Crisis and the Crimean War. Abdulaziz and his successors grappled with further Balkan unrest, culminating in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and the Congress of Berlin. The century closed with the Greco-Turkish War and ongoing Armenian issues, as the empire struggled to maintain its power and territory.
Takeaways
- 🏰 The 19th century marked a period of decline for the Ottoman Empire, which faced numerous challenges and had to make unexpected alliances to prevent collapse.
- 👑 Sultan Selim III, despite respecting Napoleon, was pressured by the Russian-British alliance and maintained a defensive alliance with Russia until 1806.
- 📜 Napoleon's correspondence with Selim III highlights the diplomatic efforts to win over the Ottomans, using flattery and highlighting the threat of Russian troops.
- 🛡️ Internal strife within the Ottoman Empire, such as rebellions from the Janissary and Yamak troops against Selim III's reformist policies, led to his eventual deposition and imprisonment in 1807.
- 🔄 A series of power shifts occurred with Mustafa IV, Mahmud II, and Muhammad II taking turns on the throne, reflecting the political instability of the time.
- 🛑 The Treaty of Bucharest in 1812 ended the war with Russia, with the Ottomans ceding Bessarabia to the Russians, indicating further territorial losses.
- 🗡️ Nationalist movements, such as the Serbian fight for autonomy and the Greek War for Independence in 1821, further weakened the Ottoman Empire's control over its territories.
- 🏛️ The Battle of Navarino in 1827 and the subsequent Russo-Turkish War led to the forced acknowledgment of Greek independence in 1831.
- 🔄 Muhammad Ali Pasha's confrontation with Sultan Mahmud II over territorial promises and the subsequent military actions highlighted the internal and external pressures on the Ottoman Empire.
- 🔄 The Tanzimat reform era initiated by Sultan Mahmud II aimed to modernize and westernize the Ottoman Empire but was cut short by his death in 1839.
- 🕊️ The Oriental Crisis of 1840 and the Crimean War of 1853-1856 showcased the Ottoman Empire's diplomatic efforts and alliances with European powers against Russia.
- 📜 The Hatti Humayan of 1856 was a significant decree that aimed to establish equality among all classes and ethnicities within the empire.
- 🏛️ The Congress of Berlin in 1878 and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 led to further territorial losses and the establishment of new states, signaling the continued decline of the Ottoman Empire.
- 📜 The promulgation and suspension of the first Ottoman constitution under Sultan Abdul Hamid II reflected the political turbulence and the struggle for reform within the empire.
- 🌏 The turn towards Germany for friendship and support, as well as the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, indicated the Ottoman Empire's shifting alliances and continued efforts to maintain its sovereignty.
Q & A
What was the general situation of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century?
-The 19th century marked a period of rapid decline for the Ottoman Empire, characterized by desperate defensiveness and the need to make alliances with unexpected nations to prevent collapse.
Who was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 19th century?
-Selim III was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 19th century.
What was Napoleon's role in Egypt during the early 1800s?
-Napoleon and his French troops took power in Egypt, styling themselves as liberators from the Ottoman Empire, but they officially pulled out by 1801 due to internal issues in France.
How did Napoleon attempt to win over Sultan Selim III's support?
-Napoleon wrote to Sultan Selim III, flattering him with titles and questioning why he would let the Russians influence his decisions, while also pointing out the Russian military presence as a threat to the Ottomans.
What was the outcome of the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Russia in 1806?
-The conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Russia resulted in war, which only ended in 1812 with the Treaty of Bucharest, forcing the Ottomans to give Bessarabia to the Russians.
What was the Tanzimât reform era initiated by Sultan Mahmud II?
-The Tanzimât reform era was a period of modernization and westernization in the Ottoman Empire, inspired by European models, which aimed to bring about significant changes in the administration and governance of the empire.
What event marked the beginning of the Greek War for Independence?
-The Greek War for Independence began with the revolt of Greeks in the Moria region in 1821 against Ottoman sovereignty.
How did the Ottoman Empire handle the challenge posed by Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt?
-Sultan Mahmud II sought aid from foreign powers after Muhammad Ali Pasha sent troops to seize various territories. Eventually, the Ottomans and Europeans forced Muhammad Ali to accept terms, giving up control of several territories and returning the Ottoman naval forces.
What was the significance of the Hatt-ı Hümayun issued by Sultan Abdülmecid?
-The Hatt-ı Hümayun established that all classes and ethnicities would be treated equally in all matters within the empire, marking a significant step towards equality and reform.
What were the consequences of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 for the Ottoman Empire?
-The Russo-Turkish War resulted in a decisive victory for Russia and its allies, leading to the formal declaration of independence from Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, the establishment of the Principality of Bulgaria, and the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary, among other territorial losses.
How did the Ottoman Empire's internal issues contribute to its decline in the 19th century?
-Internal issues such as rebellions from the Janissary and Yamak troops due to reformist policies, disputes over territories like Crete, and unrest in the Balkans, including Armenia, contributed to the Ottoman Empire's decline by weakening its power and territory.
Outlines
🔹 Ottoman Decline and Alliances in the 19th Century
The 19th century marked a period of decline for the Ottoman Empire, necessitating alliances with unexpected nations to prevent collapse. Sultan Salim III faced challenges from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt and internal rebellions against his reformist policies, leading to his deposition in 1807. Mustafa IV succeeded him but was soon replaced by Mahmud II, who continued Westernization reforms. The empire faced wars with Russia, Greek and Serbian revolts for independence, and conflicts with Egypt's Muhammad Ali Pasha. The Treaty of Bucharest in 1812 and the Congress of Berlin in 1878 resulted in significant territorial losses.
🔹 Tanzimat Reforms and Continued Ottoman Struggles
Sultan Mahmud II initiated the Tanzimat reforms to modernize and Europeanize the Ottoman Empire, but his death in 1839 led to Abdulmecid I continuing these efforts. The Oriental Crisis of 1840 and the Crimean War of 1853-1856 showcased the empire's reliance on European powers. The Hatti-i Hümayun of 1856 promised equality among all subjects. Abdul Aziz continued reforms but faced the disastrous Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, resulting in further territorial losses and his own deposition. His successor, Abdul Hamid II, had to manage the aftermath of these conflicts and the growing unrest in the Balkans.
🔹 Abdul Hamid II's Rule and the Ottoman Empire's Challenges
Abdul Hamid II's reign began with the introduction of the first Ottoman constitution in 1876, which was short-lived. The empire faced international pressures, including France's expansion into Tunisia and Britain's control over Egypt. The Greco-Turkish War of 1897 over Crete ended in Ottoman victory but with ongoing issues. Unrest in the Balkans and problems with Armenia indicated further challenges for the empire, which was increasingly on the defensive, losing power and territory as the century came to a close.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ottoman Empire
💡Defensiveness
💡Alliances
💡Napoleon
💡Reformist Policies
💡Russo-Turkish Wars
💡Tanzimat Reforms
💡Nationalism
💡Congress of Berlin
💡Abdul Hamid II
💡Balkan Unrest
Highlights
The 19th century marked a rapid decline for the Ottoman Empire.
The Ottoman Empire made alliances with unexpected nations to prevent collapse.
Napoleon and French troops took power in Egypt but later retreated.
France attempted to win over Sultan Selim III's support against Russia.
Sultan Selim III was ousted from the throne due to his reformist policies.
Sultan Mahmud II continued the westernization reforms of his brother.
The Treaty of Bucharest ended the war with Russia in 1812.
Greeks revolted against Ottoman sovereignty, starting their war for independence.
Sultan Mahmud II declared war on Russia over the dispute with Greece.
The Ottoman Empire was forced to acknowledge Greek independence in 1831.
Muhammad Ali Pasha confronted Sultan Mahmud over a broken promise.
Sultan Mahmud II initiated the Tanzimat reform era in Turkey.
The Convention of London established Egyptian territory in Sudan.
The Ottoman Empire entered the Crimean War due to disputes over Orthodox Christianity.
The Treaty of Paris in 1856 resulted in peace terms for Russia.
Sultan Abdul Masid issued the Hatti Humayan for equal treatment of all classes and ethnicities.
The Ottoman Empire recognized Lebanese autonomy under European pressure.
Sultan Abdul Aziz continued the reforms and westernization of his predecessor.
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 led to disastrous consequences for the Ottoman Empire.
The Congress of Berlin in 1878 confirmed independence and territorial changes.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II promulgated the first Ottoman constitution.
France, Britain, and other powers extended their reach into Ottoman territories.
The Greco-Turkish War of 1897 was sparked over the status of Crete.
Unrest in the Balkans and Armenia grew towards the end of the 19th century.
Transcripts
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