The Ottoman Empire in the Age of Imperialism

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The Ottoman Empire in the Age of Imperialism

• 1750-1900

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The 18th Century

• Central govt lost power to provinces
• Large landholders increased their independence
  and diverted imperial funds
• Mecca and Medina lost to Wahabis
• Mamluks of Egypt emerged as local military force

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Napoleon in Egypt

• Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798
• Mamluk forces quickly defeated
• After being cut off by the British Navy, French
  withdrew in 1801
• Muhammad Ali sent by sultan to restore Ottoman
  control in Egypt

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Battle of the Pyramids (1798)
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Egyptian Reform

• Muhammad Ali seized power for himself in 1805
• Success of Napoleons invasion convinced him of
  the need for reform
• Examples
• -Mamluks eliminated as a class
• -French practice of conscription introduced
• -Professional military schools opened
• These reforms set an example for the Ottomans

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Ottoman Reform

• Sultan Selim III began a modernization program in
  late 18th c.
• Janissaries resisted creation of new military
  units
• Janissary revolt in Serbia led to effective
  independence

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• Ulama (religious scholars) also resisted reforms
• Rebellion in Istanbul resulted in capture and
  execution of Selim III
• Successor Mahmud II embarked on more radical
  reforms
• Ottoman loss of Greece justified elimination of
  janissaries once and for all

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• Tanzimat reforms made secularization of Ottoman
  society and govt a goal
• Reforms continued throughout 19th c., but so did
  foreign interference and revolts by ethnic
  minorities
• Nationalist Young Turks came to power in 1908

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