Chapter 7
What was the economic condition of the Ottoman Empire by 1900?
-There had been little effort to modernise the industry in its territories before 1850
-Became a focus of international rivalry in Europe in the 1850s with the railway boom as
investors sought to profit from railway building in the region to capitalise on the great
geographical location on lucrative trading routes to China and India
-Germany planned the Berlin-Baghdad railway in the 1890s
-Heavily in debt to British and French creditors
-The "Opening up" of the empire highlighted the weakened economic state in relation to the
Great Powers
What was the political condition of the Ottoman Empire by 1900?
-Autocracy ruled by Sultan Abdul Hamid whose regime was increasingly unpopular
-Stifled intellectualism: the empire did not have a university until 1900
Why was Sultan Hamid's regime unpopular?
-Repressive policies and severe treatment of rebels. During the Armenian massacres of
1894-1896, triggered by the Sultan's suspicion of Christian Armenian nationalists in the region,
around 200,000 Armenians were killed.
- fears that the Ottoman Empire would be dismantled by foreigners who believed the Turks were
incapable of running their empire justly and fairly due to the Armenian Massacre
What were the consequences of the stifling of intellectualism?
-Encouraged intellectuals to study in Western European institutions, exposing them to ideals of
parliamentary government and written constitutions.
-Many of these individuals later joined reformist opposition groups (The Young Ottomans)
What did the The Young Ottomans advocate for?
-Western-style liberal democracy with a representative parliament, believing if the various
nationalities within the empire were represented well, nationalism would pose less of a threat.
-the equal treatment of all citizens in the Ottoman Empire, regardless of nationality.
-They persuaded the Sultan to grant a constitution in 1876 which allowed an elected parliament
and religious freedom and removed many aspects of censorship.
What was the status of the Balkan states in 1900?
-Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania were recognised as independent states under the
Treaty of Berlin 1878
-Bulgaria granted internal autonomy
-Bosnia and Herzegovina were occupied and administered
What were the issues faced by Balkan states in 1900?
-how to push back Turkish control entirely
-how to settle peacefully the strong tensions and rivalries between the Balkan countries
themselves
,What threat did the balkan states pose to the Ottoman Empire?
-The increasing military strength, alongside the increase in wealth and population, of the Balkan
states
-Bulgarian foreign policy became more aggressive in response to its lengthy struggles against
Ottoman rule, with an increasingly militaristic government
-The Greeks were developing their navy
-Several states were keen to foster nationalism in Macedonia and encouraged its dismantling to
secure more territory for themselves; further destabilised by religious divisions
What is one example of how European powers intervened to ensure the Ottoman Empire
did not regain losses in the Balkans?
During the Greco-Turkish War in 1897, European powers ensured that Greece lost no territory
to the Ottomans despite the Ottomans military having an upper hand in the war.
What was the 1903 Ilinden uprising?
- The uprising of Macedonians that was brutally crushed by the Hamidian regime
- Rebels lacked support and were poorly equipped compared to Ottoman forces
- Rebels immediate aim was to secure autonomy of Macedonia and gain international attention
(which would lead to pressure for reforms)
What were the consequences of the 1903 Ilinden uprising?
-Russia and Austria-Hungary created the Mursteg agreement in 1903, under which
non-Ottoman officers from foreign countries were dispatched to Macedonia to keep the peace
internally.
-The Mursteg agreement blurred the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire's political authority in
the region as well as highlighting the Sultan's lack of strength internationally, hastening its
decline
- The agreement improved administration of Macedonia and inspired future movements,
becoming a significant symbol of struggle for liberation
What were the long-term causes of the Young Turk movement?
-Dissatisfaction amongst Turkish liberals and intellectuals: Frustrated by the empire's increasing
loss of territory and influence, most severely as a result of the Treaty of Berlin (formally
recognized the independent Balkan states and confirmed Russian gains from the war)
Increasing foreign involvement in the Empire's finances seen as a sign of its inherent weakness
Saw the Sultan's repressive policies as the greatest cause of the Ottoman decline
-Nationalism: the Sultan's opponents believed if the various nationalities within the empire were
represented well, nationalism would pose less of a threat.
What were the short-term causes of the Young Turk movement?
-Macedonian question: threats of nationalism and rebellion against the Ottomans e.g during the
Ilinden uprising
-Harsh actions of the Sultan : The brutal response to the Ilinden uprising highlighted the cruelty
of his policies towards the millats -> bred determined ambitious nationalist groups (Serbian
, nationalists increased guerilla activities in Macedonia). It attracted international attention,
resulting in a further loss of control and influence
-Army officers in Macedonia went months without pay
What were the 2 main political views of opponents to the Sultan?
1. believed the empire should be divided along ethnic and religious lines
2. believed the empire should be retained with a strong government in central control
What was the meeting at Reval 1908 ? What were its consequences?
-The Entente powers met to discuss further intervention in Macedonia to help calm the region
-This stirred the CUP into action and the Young Turks feared the imminent loss of further
territory if they remained inactive
What was the Young Turk revolution 1908?
-Began in Salonika with an army mutiny, triggered by long-term frustration of the Turkish troops
stationed there who had not been paid for months
-Spontaneous in nature, rather than planned by the Young Turks
-Rebel soldiers demanded the restoration of the 1876 constitution, prompting further mutinies
across Macedonia, and threatened a march on Constantinople
-Ideals of equality and brotherhood amongst all Ottoman people were popular "liberty, equality
and fraternity"
What were the consequences of the Young Turk revolution 1908 on the Ottoman Empire?
-Sultan yielded to the demands of the restoration of the 1876 constitution
-CUP won every seat except one in the 1908 elections
-inexperienced and disunited government with much internal disagreement on the next course
of action
-by 1909, there was a shift away from liberalism to Turkish nationalism due to the issues in
government, Muslim uprising against government but quelled
In the long run did the Young Turks succeed in implementing the changes they expected
in the Ottoman Empire?
-Within 3 years of the revolution, many repressive policies of the Sultan's rule were once again
in force. the secret police returned, non-muslims faced opposition, and freedoms were restricted
-Government centralised under Turkish nationalism (1909 Law of Associations)
-Sultan remained as head of state though now a constitutional monarch
What were the consequences of the Young Turk revolution 1908 in Bulgaria?
-Proclaimed full independence in 1908
-Rid itself completely from Turkish rule
-Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria declared himself Tsar
-mobilised 110,000 men
-Increasingly militaristic
