Muslim Lands Fall to Imperialist Demands Imperialism in the Ottoman Empire

Background Muslim power was weakening The empire had difficulties trying to fit into the modern world However, Greece had become independent and Serbia gained self-rule. Despite the attempted reforms, the Ottoman became weaker and weaker, catching European’s interests

Factors for imperialism Strategic location: access to Mediterranean and Atlantic sea trade Discovery of oil in Persia and the Arabian Peninsula The Mediterranean sea was a very valuable body of water and mostly all of the Ottoman empire surrounded it. The Russians desperately wanted this so that they could easily export grains. Hence, they invaded.

Who Invaded? Egypt Black Sea Persia After the French Revolution, Muhammad Ali attempted to modernize Costly reforms, including the construction of the Suez Canal, meant that Egypt could not repay European bankers and eventually Britain took over Black Sea Russia launched war against Ottoman Empire who resisted, called the Crimean War (1853-1856) Britain and France helped Ottomans and prevented Russia from further expansion Persia 1907, Russia and Britain took over and divided shares into spheres of influence

Effects: Positive Crimean War marked the transition from traditional to modern warfare Banks, insurance companies, and legal firms were created Major cities expanded Classes emerged: small but influential urban middle class and a class of wage laborers

Effects: Negative Widespread financial corruption and bankruptcy Government became heavily dependent on foreign loans Few exports were sent abroad and Egypt then went into debt like the rest of the empire Reform groups demanded a constitution

What has happened since? The Ottoman Empire became the republic of Turkey It is now a republican parliamentary democracy.

Approximately 2 weeks time and 4,000 miles were cut off the trip from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea The Ottoman Empire was very large and one of the most powerful empires in the world at the time but it eventually declined to one only country.

Overall The effects of imperialism in the Ottoman Empire were mostly negative. They eventually led to the empire’s decline. However the separate regions formerly in the Ottoman empire are independent today.