The Ottoman Empire and the West 19th century

The ‘sick man’ of Europe  Facing a world changed by industrialization the once ‘strong sword of Islam’ began to fade 1. French invasion of Egypt= 1798 and defacto independence lead to: 2. Various European powers chipping off territory (to Russia/France/Britain/Austria) 3. They were unable to help defend Muslim communities elsewhere that were being challenged by Christian states (Indonesia to West Africa)

Economic issues  European shipping in Atlantic/Indian/Pacific Oceans decreased the flow of trade in Ottoman trade Routes (ex. Persian Gulf)  Found it difficult to compete with cheaper manufactured imports from industrialized countries  These factors hurt the tax base and led to govt taking loans they could not repay  Foreigners stepped in and took over sections of the economy  British seized Egypt’s wealth in 1882

Political Troubles  Sultan Selim III began to use Western military advisors  Military and religious leaders argued against this European intrusion  1807 the sultan was overthrown and murdered

Tanzimat Era 1839  Widespread reform  Religious tolerance/legal equality for all  Some Promotion of Christians to high office  Law codes/court systems from Europe  Technological infrastructure building  Greater access to public life for women

Young Ottomans/Islamic Modernism  Favored more democratic style rule with a constitution in order to save Islamic society from European threats  Embraced Western technology/science  Rejected western materialism  brief victory as the new sultan accepted an elected parliament and constitution  Pressure from Russia however lead to a return to despotic rule (~30 yrs)

Young Turks/Secular moderninsm  Frustrated by the new despotism military and civilian elites formed a new movement  Young Turks  Secular modernizers  Coup in pushed empire towards European modernity  Radical secularization of schools/courts/law codes  Schools open for women--could wear Western dress and polygamy restricted (did antagonize non-Turks= Arabs/Armenians) (did antagonize non-Turks= Arabs/Armenians) **set the stage for Post-WWI Turkish republic