The Ottoman Empire From Osman to the Young Turks Spath – 351 CPME
Readings M.E. & Islamic World Reader – Origins of Islam, excerpts from Qu’ran, the Caliphate, schism, various early dynasties, The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires, In Cleveland – Tanzimat period of the Ottoman Empire ( ).
Today: Ottoman Empire (end of 13 th c. – 1922) We will cover up to the turn of the 20 th century Big Questions: - What happened? How did the empire change? - Why was the Ottoman Empire so dominant? - Why did it decline? - Why is this important to contemporary ME politics? Where are We Going? - Thursday: Colonialism - Monday (9/21): WWI, Inter-War Years, Ideological Trends
But first… - Rise and Decline of Muslim Caliphate (and associated dynasties) - Feudalism among Muslim societies - Two sets of elites (military and religious) Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals became dominant after Mongol Empire. Why? - Legacy of Mongols - Feudalism around agrarianism - Increased revenue from trade - Gunpowder - Strategies of Governance
The Gunpowder Empires
Why were they dominant? - Mongol Legacy -Agrarianism - Trade Revenue - Gunpowder - Governing Strategies
The Ottomans: - Started with Osman and his son Orhan - Gazi Tradition - Pragmatic Considerations
Ottoman Rule - Gaza - Centralization of different kinds - Toleration of local customs - Dynastic Succession - Devshirme Levy - Three-level ruling elite
The Ottoman Empire
18 th Century: Decline - Decentralization - External Forces
19 th Century: Towards Consolidation and Re-centralization - Selim III - Muhammad Ali - Mahmud II
Discussion: Tanzimat and Its Effects -“Reorganization” – continuation of reforms - Focus on more than military and bureaucracy, also on society - Rate of Change was faster - Comprehensive Education Reforms - Huge land reform changes – increased private ownership - Legal reforms… why? Attempted to make ottoman law appropriate for Europeans to lift Capitulations; secular courts; civil code developed; nationality law; gave more control to millets
EXTRA CREDIT