Chapter 11 The Age of Imperialism

Background The Muslim Ottoman Empire stretched from Hungary in the north, around the Black Sea, and across Egypt all the way west to the borders of Morocco. However, during the last 300 years there were many factors leading to a steady decline; making it ripe for European imperialism.

Ottoman Empire Loses Power Death of Suleyman I Succession of weak rulers Factions created Corruption Economic decline Inspired groups within the Ottoman Empire fight for self rule Greece & Serbia

Crimean War –Example of geopolitics –Russia attacks Ottomans to gain warm- water port on the Black Sea & access to Mediterranean Sea –Russia loses, but Ottomans are shown to be weak; still lose land b/c of rebellions Egypt Initiates Reforms –Muhammad Ali breaks away from Ottoman control and rules Egypt –Begins series of reforms in military and economy modernizes to keep out European control –Shifts Egypt agriculture from food crops to cash crops (similar to European colonial policies) Europeans Grab Territory Geopolitics: taking land for its strategic location or products

–The Suez Canal Egypt builds Suez Canal Modernization creates huge debt –Britain takes over financial control of canal and occupy Egypt The exploitation of Persia –Russia wants access to Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean –Britain wants Persian oil and Afghanistan –1907, Russia and Britain seize and divide Persia between them as spheres of influence Exploit: take advantage of/ to use Sphere of influence: an area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges

Group Work Critical Thinking Questions In groups of 3, use your textbook and notebook and work together to answer the following questions: 1.What part did internal corruption play in the decline of Ottoman power? 2.Why did the discovery of oil in Persia increase the value of Ottoman territory? 3.In what way were the RUS, BR, and FR motivations in the Crimean War similar? 4.How was Muhammad Ali’s promotion of cotton production similar to Euro imperialists’ actions in AFR? 5.Why was the completion of the Suez Canal cause for international celebration? 6.What advantages did granting business concessions to Western countries offer Persia? 7.How did Persia’s granting of concessions eventually lead to its takeover by BR & RUS?

Critical Thinking Answers 1.It led to a weakened economy and technological stagnation. 2.The oil had to pass through Ottoman land to Europe. 3.They all wanted to control Ottoman territory 4.Both substituted production of cash crops for food crops 5.It greatly decreased the time needed to travel from Euro to East AFR and Asia 6.Income, development of their resources, and participation in world events 7.Concessions allowed Western countries to establish an economic foothold in Persia, which they exploited when the Persian gov’t lost control of the country.