Empires in Industry: The Ottoman Empire (1750-1870)

Overview

• The Ottoman Empire, like China, was an old civilization that resisted Western practices.
• Both faced European aggression and a shifting global power balance.
• Local authorities gained power as central control weakened.

European Aggression

• Early 17th-18th centuries: Europe feared Ottoman expansion.
• Post-1750: Ottoman Empire shrank due to Russian, British, Austrian, and French aggressions.
• By 1850s, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia called the Ottoman Empire "the sick man of Europe."

Military Decline

• Ottomans failed to adopt Western military tactics.
• Result: Significant military weakening.
• Sought alliances with Britain and France.
• Lost control over North Africa, Egypt, and regions like Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria gained independence.

Economic Decline

• Historically wealthy but declined due to European trade and industrialization.
• Relied on luxury exports like fine silk; industrialization made these cheaper and more available.
• Entered economically harmful agreements with Europe, undermining sovereignty.
• By 1870s, owed over £200 million to European banks and repaying loans consumed over half of national revenue.

Attempts at Reform

• Ottoman leadership recognized the empire's issues. Reforms had mixed results due to resistance from entrenched interests.

Military Reforms

• Late 18th century: Efforts to modernize the army faced backlash, particularly from conservatives and the powerful Janissary Corps.
• 1807: Sultan reformer overthrown and murdered; reforms stalled.
• 1826: New Sultan reattempts reforms, resulting in Janissary mutiny and eventual suppression after bloody confrontations.

Tanzimat Reforms (1839-1869)

• Aimed at economic, social, and legal restructuring.
• Western-style military reforms included changes to public administration, legal codes, and education.
• Encouraged adoption of Western-style clothing.
• Moved away from Muslim identity towards a more secular, Turkish identity.
• Granted equal rights to non-Muslim residents.

Dissatisfaction and Unrest

• General dissatisfaction with Ottoman progress despite reforms.
• Emergence of radical group: Young Ottomans.
• 1876: Young Ottomans led a revolution seeking a liberal Western-style constitution to limit Sultan's power.
• Revolution was short-lived but set the stage for further unrest and future reforms.