The Decline of the Ottoman Empire - Essay Example

?Decline of Ottoman Empire: Ottoman Empire makes up for one of the most important reign and political phenomena of the middle ages that started in the 13th Century A.D. The achievements of this Empire were not just limited to territorial gains, rather they had a sociological, psychological, religious and cultural impact on every part they conquered. They spread their wings across major parts of Asia, parts of Europe, and traces of Africa came under their control as well. However despite its grandeur and grandiose the Empire suffered a gradual decline. The decline took place over a period of couple of centuries. This was as a result of internal issues as well as the external elements. The external elements came about in form of other civilizations, movements and powers that came along and posed challenges to the Ottoman Empire. The Western Imperialist expansions were one of those that contributed towards the decline of Ottoman Empire in a direct and indirect manner. The impact of Decline of Ottoman Empire: The result of Ottoman Empire’s decline was creation of vacuum in terms of authority, capacity and power possessed by a single Empire. For centuries Ottoman Empire held the reign firm and controlled the native regions under its grip effectively. With the gradual downfall, the question of stability, political replacement, and social substitution left much to be desired and a question to be addressed. This vacuum creation brought about unhealthy competition and race for the occupying of power seat in the region in order to maintain the say and influence in the region. The Empire was at peak during the days when it conquered the Constantinople and this marked the pinnacle of their achievements (Melton and Baumann, 2903). Root causes of decline of the Empire: The root causes were in form of political instability, internal intrigues, social disparity, nationalistic movements, alienation of the rulers from the people, external elements influence, awakening amongst the masses, Porte’s ambitious governors (Couto and Loureiro, 39) and various other factors that led to the disintegration and decay in a gradual manner. 1682 can be termed as a significant period in the history of Ottoman Empire when they suffered their first defeat. Economic aspect is also attributed as a factor that led to the downfall of the Empire. With no social equality, too much being spent in the wars and other military pursuits led to starvation and inflation in the social and economic ranks, ultimately leading to disparity and discontent amongst the masses and subjects spread far and wide. The negative impact of economy directly told upon the military expansions, investments and developments. With the other empires and ruling regimes building on the military might, the Ottoman Empire stayed behind with regard to military advancements. The advancements in technology over period of time and most notably the Europe region, made the cause and case further worse for the Ottoman Empire. The demise of one Sultan led to a battle for supremacy and attainment of the throne between the successors, this would result in the division of loyalties and eating up of the financial resources within. The role of Ambitious Governors: Mehmat Ali and Ibrahim Pasha were two of the governors appointed by the Porte to administer and govern over Egypt. They were highly ambitious in their motives and intentions. They would demand new terms and territories from the Porte time to Time. Syria, Pashalik and other regions were under their interest. This internal strife gave an opportunity to the foreign elements to intrude and make inroads in terms of their vested interests. France went in support of the war, Turkey in return had to fight a war with Russia in 1877 (Drury, 3)which further exposed and weakened the Empire’s say and influence in the region. Parts of continent Africa that were under the direct or indirect influence of the Porte also served as point and region of interest for the European Imperialistic and engaged them in rivalry with one another. Western Element: The Western element cannot be undermined based on the fact that they had their political, economic, social and military interests in the region. The black sea was a point of interest and contention between the Western Powers. It had been under the occupation of the Porte for decades. Russia as an emerging power had immense interest in the Black sea control. The significance of Black sea was multi fold. Not only did it provide for strategic strength, but also military and other commercial fleets passage which was directly beneficial towards the trade and economy of the given state. Great Britain, Russia, and France were direct candidates aiming to gain maximum benefits from the Black sea. It provided for strategic strength, but also military and other commercial fleets passage which was directly beneficial towards the trade and economy of the given state. Great Britain, Russia, and France were direct candidates aiming to gain maximum benefits from the Black sea (King, 175). The Sick Man of Europe: On account of the decay and decline that was based on decades old progress, Turkey and Ottoman Empire was being called the sick man who’s demise was imminent and the question pertained to the overtaking and fulfilling the shoes and vacancy created by the demise of Empire (C?rakman, 164). The Slav Subjects: The slav subjects constituted the protestant Christians that had long been under the control and governance of the Porte. Over period of time resentment grew in the ranks of Slavs which made the cause of Porte’s rule and control further weak in the region. Backed by the support of the Russians, the Slavs aimed at demanding independence and freedom from the reign and control of Porte. Vested interests and other political motives did not do any justice to the cause of Porte’s influence and resulted in overall weakening of the Empire. The case of Holy Places: The Porte was administering over regions that had significant importance with regard to the religious values and aspirations of the subjects. Palestine was one of the place that held the importance with regard to the religious places. Jerusalem was a place being claimed by the both subjects as place of their original worship. The custody of Holy places was another matter of interest and conflict that deteriorated the overall situation. The dispute within the Christian subjects over the custody was the cause of weakness and invitation for the European powers to participate and make it a reason for weakening and overcoming the might of Ottoman Empire. In previous centuries the custody of these holy places had been exchanged between the Greek Monks and Latin Monks and on account of the negligence by one the custody was handed over to the other party. Russia being protestant itself demanded the handing over of the custody to the Greek Monks. France on other side supported the Latin monks. Hence it was a political reason garbed in the fold of religious and used as an excuse to gain political motives in the region. All these factors were contributing elements towards the overall decay and weakness of the Porte. The Porte’s economic frailty and European Imperialism: The west in parallel grew in stature courtesy the economic strength and the industrial revolution that had taken place and had given them an edge over other empires and rulers. Ottoman empire needed the support in the economic zone and as a result had to welcome Great Britain and France into its territories which in turn gave them a chance to penetrate into the ranks and exploit the overall internal weaknesses within (Deutschmann, 10). European Imperialism was supported and shouldered by the strength of industrial development which was used as a tool. The other parts of the world still void of any major development in the field of industry and technology sought their help which gave them a reason increasing their dominance and reliance of the other party upon their resources and economic donations. Egyptian Element: Egypt across the Mediterranean had significance with regard to the political, economic and strategic influence and each of the European Power aimed at maintaining its influence over the region in the entire course of decline of Ottoman Empire. The rebellion by the Porte’s governors in Egypt further strangulated the overall weak health of the Empire and gave the Europeans an excuse to exploit it. France, Russia and Italy were interlocked in their own battle for the establishment of supremacy in the Egyptian territories. Egypt’s strategic presence around the River Nile, and its usage as a pathway into the Middle East always served as point of interest for the Western Powers that were hell bent on occupying the territory in a direct or indirect manner. The power struggle within: Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy and Germany that came into existence later in the 19th century all were engulfed in the power struggle for maintaining the maximum influence and capturing most from the ruins and spoils that would be left and created in case of the decline of the Ottoman Empire. European Imperialism and the road towards war: It was the vested interests and building of two distinct groups within the European ranks that resulted in buildup of a war in the early 20th century. The participation and interest grew so strong that each side aimed at taking advantage of the political and economic instability in the region, backed by the military support and offensives. The region of Europe was in a battle and pursuit of arms race with different groups, secret societies and pro and opposition governments being established all over creating an artificial setup that was extremely vulnerable to any foreign force aiming to disturb the balance and peace of Europe. The rivalries grew so intense and strong that a full fledge First World War was fought between the European Powers each aiming to supersede with aims of gaining maximum territorial, military and economic benefits. Germany was hell bent of defeating the might of Great Britain, and the might acquired in this regard made them to be called the Lion on earth and Shark at sea, aiming to defeat and out maneuver each other in their weak areas. The death blow: The outcome of the First World War marked the final stage of the decline of Ottoman Empire and by the end of the War, Europe was torn into disaster, destruction and bloodshed. The Ottoman Empire finally came to an end and modern day Turkey emerged on the surface of earth as a sovereign state (Kia, 30). References: C?rakman, Asl?. From the "terror of the World" to the "sick Man of Europe": European Images of Ottoman Empire and Society from the Sixteenth Century to the Nineteenth. Peter Lang, 2002. Couto, Dejanirah and Rui Loureiro. Revisiting Hormuz: Portuguese Interactions in the Persian Gulf Region in the Early Modern Period. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 2008. Deutschmann, Moritz. Comparative Perspectives on Imperialism and Empire in Late Imperial Russia. GRIN Verlag, 2011. Drury, Ian. The Russo-Turkish War 1877. Osprey Publishing, 2012. Kia, Mehrdad. Daily Life in the Ottoman Empire. ABC-CLIO, 2011. King, Charles. The Black Sea: A History. Oxford University Press, 2004. Melton, J. Gordon and Martin Baumann. Religions of the World, Second Edition: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABC-CLIO, 2010 Read More