1. Decline of the Ottoman Empire

2. End of an Era
Ottoman empire was one of world’s greatest through medieval period & early modern era
Ruled vast expanses of the Middle East, Africa, & Europe in 1700s
Traders rivaled those of Spain, Portugal, & the city-states in Italy
Problems
Failed siege of Vienna, 1648
Weak sultans
Struggle to retain control
Janissaries
Cavalry
Tax farming
Described by Tsar Nicholas I as the “sick man of Europe”

3. Decline: Internal & External Factors
Rising nationalism & opposition
Ethnic & regional groups wanted self- determination & independence
Balkans
Middle East
North Africa
Christians
Non-Turks
Non-Muslims
Serbs
Slavs
Military power decreased
Unsuccessful wars
Led sultans to seek alliances with European nations
Failing economy
Centuries of riches from trade declined – overtaken by Europeans
Became indebted to European nations’ banks

4. Contact with Europe Competed for trade
Previously was the middleman for luxury goods from the East
Now, British, French, Dutch, Spanish, etc. all had direct access to Indian Ocean Trade
Infiltration of Western ideas led to calls for modernization
Tanzimat Decree of 1839 implemented European-inspired reforms to military, farming, public administration, & even dress codes
Many Turks believed the autocratic rule of the sultan (reinstalled 1870s) restricted their freedom
Europeans actively encouraged national groups to revolt against Ottomans
Gradually took over parts of Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Algeria, Balkans, Persia, & Arabian Peninsula
Sultan allowed building of railroads & factories
Did not respond to demands for political change

6. Which Way To Turn? By 1908, clearly the empire was crumbling
Troubled rulers of Europe
Ottomans held strategically important lands
Mediterranean & Black Sea coastlines
Bosphorus Strait
Russia & Austria-Hungary had eyes for lands
Britain & Germany wanted Ottomans to continue as a buffer against A-H and Russia
SO European leaders all sought some alliance in early 1900s with Ottomans
Ottomans had to choose who to ally with – or none at all
No real support for France
Some okay with Britain (controlled nearby Egypt)
Others preferred neutrality
Germany won – strong position against Russia + financial support + construct a Berlin-Baghdad railway

7. Young Turk Movement Began 1908
Restored constitution (short-lived in 1870s) & Ottoman Parliament
Overthrew sultan
Prominent leader = Mustafa Kemal
Only a minor role in revolution
Commanded forces at Gallipoli in 1915
Led Turkey to independence from Allied occupation in 1923

8. Final Destruction of Ottoman Empire
Quite weak in WWI
Invaded by Europeans
Revolted against internally (nationalist groups)
Essentially ceased to exist by war’s end
Allied powers formed League of Nations & the mandate system to accommodate newly ‘freed’ areas
Former holdings of Ottoman Empire & German Empire
New states not yet fit to rule themselves… so the British & French (and Belgium a little) took them as colonies
Drew arbitrary lines dividing up the Arab world & fmr. Colonial lands in Africa & SE Asia
Transjordan
Syria
Iraq
Lebanon
Palestine

9. Review Internal Factors  Decline External Factors  Decline
Attempts at Western/Modernization/Reform
Revolution 1908
WWI = Death of Ottoman Empire

10. Classwork:
Tanzimat Decree
Read Ch22 & 24
Homework:
Vocabulary 19
Ch22 Questions
Ch24 Questions
Egypt & Ethiopia Worksheet
Next Class:
Quiz 19
Imperialism Crash Courses, Readings, & Questions