The Ottoman Empire in Decline
REVIEW
CHAPTER 32
SECTION 1
Prepare for Notetaking
 Copy the chart for the Ottoman Empire and take
notes based on this presentation
 This will go fast since it is review
Notes on major
Long term consequences
developments in the period
Political
Economic
Social
Military
Review Questions
What factors led to the territorial decline of the
Ottoman Empire over the course of the nineteenth
century? What territories were lost?
2. Compare the reforms of the Tanzimat era with the
program of the Young Turks.
1.
Are They Still Calling It an Empire?
 Decline began in 16th century
 Continually fought Russians for control of Balkans,




Black Sea, and surrounding areas
Russia won most conflicts (but not Crimean War)
By 19th Century, Ottoman Empire is smaller, less
powerful and in danger of collapse
Greece, Egypt, and Arabia launch successful
independence movements
Britain and France try to keep Ottoman Empire up
(and gain influence in the region)
Military Decline Since 17th Century
 Lagged behind European
armies in strategy,
tactics, weaponry,
training
 Janissary corps
politically corrupt,
undisciplined
 Provincial governors
gained power, private
armies
Territorial Losses in 19th Century
 Caucasus and central Asia to
Russia
 Western frontiers to Austria
 Balkan provinces to Greece
and Serbia
 Egypt gained autonomy after
Napoleon's failed campaign
in 1798


Egyptian general Muhammad Ali
built a powerful, modern army
Ali's army threatened Ottomans,
made Egypt an autonomous
province
Economic Decline
 Less trade as Europeans




shifted to the Atlantic
Exported raw materials
Imported European
manufactured goods
Heavily depended on
foreign loans
Foreigners began to
administer the debts of the
Ottoman state by 1882
Capitulations
 Extraterritoriality:
Europeans exempt from
Ottoman law
 Operated tax-free, levy
their own duties in
Ottoman ports
 Deprived empire of
desperately needed
income
Reform
 Attempt to reform
military led to violent
Janissary revolt
Mahmud II
 When Janissaries
resisted, Mahmud had
them killed
 Cleared the way for
reforms
 Built an European-style
army, academies,
schools, roads, and
telegraph
Tanzimat Era (1839-1836)
 Ruling class sought
sweeping restructuring to
strengthen state
 Broad legal reforms

Modeled after Napoleon's civic
code
 State reform of education
(1846)
 Free and compulsory
primary education (1869)
 Undermined authority of
the ulama, enhanced the
state authority
Resistance to Reforms
 Religious conservatives
 Legal equality for minorities resented by some
 Young Ottomans wanted freedom, autonomy,
decentralization
 High-level bureaucrats wanted more power, checks
on the sultan's power
Cycles of Reform and Repression
 1876, coup staged by
bureaucrats who
demanded a
constitutional government
 New sultan Abd al-Hamid
II (1876-1909) - autocrat

suspended constitution,
dissolved parliament, and
punished liberals
 Reformed army and
administration: became
source of the new
opposition
The Young Turks
 Called for universal
suffrage, equality,
freedom, secularization,
women's rights
 Forced Abd al-Hamid to
restore constitution
 Dethroned him (1909)
 Nationalistic: favored
Turkish dominance within
empire, led to Arab
resistance
Review Questions
What factors led to the territorial decline of the
Ottoman Empire over the course of the nineteenth
century? What territories were lost?
2. Compare the reforms of the Tanzimat era with the
program of the Young Turks.
1.
Next Up…..
 Read Section 2 on Russia and complete a chart like
the one below for Russia. Put notes in your own
words so you can make sure you understood it.
Notes on major
Long term consequences
developments in the period
Political
Economic
Social
Military