6. The Decline of the Ottoman Empire & the Eastern Question (1800s-1914) Flashcards
(35 cards)
What was the primary cause of the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century?
The primary cause of the Ottoman Empire’s decline in the 19th century was a combination of military defeats, administrative inefficiency, and economic difficulties. The empire struggled to modernize and keep up with European powers, losing territory and influence. Internal nationalist movements and external pressures further weakened its control.
What was the Eastern Question, and why was it important in 19th-century international politics?
The Eastern Question referred to the diplomatic and strategic challenges posed by the decline of the Ottoman Empire. European powers debated how to manage the empire’s territories and influence, fearing instability could disrupt the balance of power. It shaped alliances and conflicts, including the Crimean War, as nations sought to protect their interests.
What were the Balkan Wars, and what impact did they have on the Ottoman Empire?
The Balkan Wars (1912–1913) were conflicts in which Balkan states fought against the Ottoman Empire to gain territory and independence. The wars resulted in significant territorial losses for the Ottomans in Europe, further weakening the empire. These conflicts intensified ethnic tensions and set the stage for World War I.
What were the Tanzimat reforms, and how did they affect the Ottoman Empire?
The Tanzimat reforms (1839–1876) were a series of modernization efforts aimed at centralizing and strengthening the Ottoman Empire. They introduced legal, administrative, and educational changes, including equality before the law and attempts to secularize governance. Although the reforms improved certain aspects, they faced resistance and only partially slowed the empire’s decline.
What was the outcome of the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji in 1774?
The Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji ended the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) and marked a significant defeat for the Ottoman Empire. It granted Russia territorial gains, including access to the Black Sea, and recognized Russian influence over Crimea. The treaty also allowed Russia to protect Orthodox Christians in Ottoman lands, weakening Ottoman sovereignty.
What was the Ottoman Constitution, and what was its significance?
The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 established a constitutional monarchy and introduced a parliamentary system. It was part of the Tanzimat reforms and aimed to modernize governance by limiting the Sultan’s absolute power. Although suspended shortly after, the constitution laid the groundwork for future political reforms and the Young Turk movement.
What role did nationalism play in the decline of the Ottoman Empire?
Nationalism fueled independence movements among the empire’s diverse ethnic groups, such as Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians, and Arabs. These uprisings weakened Ottoman control and led to territorial losses throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Nationalist pressures challenged the empire’s multiethnic cohesion and accelerated its fragmentation.
Who was Sultan Abdulhamid II, and what was his role in the Ottoman Empire?
Sultan Abdulhamid II ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1876 to 1909 and was known for his autocratic style and efforts to maintain imperial authority. He initially supported the 1876 constitution but suspended it in 1878, ruling as an absolute monarch. His reign saw attempts at modernization but also increased repression and resistance, leading to the rise of the Young Turks.
What was the Bosnian Crisis, and how did it affect the Ottoman Empire?
The Bosnian Crisis of 1908 occurred when Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, territories still nominally under Ottoman sovereignty. This move angered Serbia and other Balkan states, heightening tensions in the region. The crisis weakened Ottoman influence in the Balkans and contributed to the rising nationalist conflicts leading up to World War I.
What was the primary aim of the Congress of Berlin in 1878?
The Congress of Berlin aimed to revise the Treaty of San Stefano and address the balance of power in the Balkans after the Russo-Turkish War. It sought to limit Russian influence and reorganize territories to maintain stability among European powers. The congress reduced Ottoman losses but further fragmented its European holdings.
What was the status of Palestine in the 19th century under Ottoman rule?
In the 19th century, Palestine was a peripheral region within the Ottoman Empire, marked by relative underdevelopment and a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The area experienced limited economic growth and occasional local unrest. Its strategic and religious significance grew as European powers and Jewish immigrants increased their interest toward the century’s end.
What was the effect of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 on the Ottoman Empire?
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 resulted in a devastating defeat for the Ottoman Empire, leading to significant territorial losses in the Balkans. The subsequent Treaty of San Stefano and Congress of Berlin forced the Ottomans to cede lands and recognize the independence or autonomy of several Balkan states. The war further weakened Ottoman control and accelerated nationalist movements within its territories.
What was the Pan-Islamic movement, and what role did it play in the Ottoman Empire?
The Pan-Islamic movement sought to unite Muslims worldwide under the leadership of the Ottoman Sultan as Caliph. It aimed to strengthen Islamic solidarity against European imperialism and internal fragmentation. The movement gained prominence during Sultan Abdulhamid II’s reign as a tool to bolster loyalty to the empire.
What was the main goal of the Ottoman Empire during World War I?
The main goal of the Ottoman Empire during World War I was to preserve its territorial integrity and regain lost lands. Aligning with the Central Powers, it sought to resist European encroachment and suppress nationalist movements. The empire aimed to maintain its sovereignty amid the upheaval of global conflict.
What was the impact of European colonialism on the Ottoman Empire?
European colonialism increased pressure on the Ottoman Empire by promoting territorial ambitions, economic competition, and political interference. Colonial powers exploited Ottoman weaknesses to expand their influence, especially in the Balkans and the Middle East. This external pressure contributed to the empire’s decline and loss of control over key regions.
Who were the Janissaries, and what role did they play in the Ottoman Empire?
The Janissaries were an elite military corps in the Ottoman Empire, originally composed of Christian boys conscripted through the devshirme system and converted to Islam. They served as the Sultan’s personal troops and played a key role in the empire’s military successes. Over time, they gained significant political power but became resistant to reform, contributing to internal instability.
What was the primary reason for the Armenian Genocide during World War I?
The Ottoman government’s suspicion of Armenians as traitors and their perceived collaboration with enemy forces.
How did the decline of the Ottoman Empire lead to the emergence of the modern Middle East?
The decline and eventual collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I resulted in the division of its territories among European powers through mandates and treaties. This redrawing of borders created new states and political entities, laying the foundation for the modern Middle East. The legacy of Ottoman rule and colonial influence continues to shape regional dynamics today.
What was one of the key factors that led to the Ottomans losing control over Egypt?
One key factor was the rise of Muhammad Ali Pasha, who established a powerful, semi-independent dynasty in Egypt in the early 19th century. His military and administrative reforms strengthened Egypt, allowing it to act independently from Ottoman control. European intervention and internal Ottoman weaknesses further diminished Ottoman authority over Egypt.
What was the Greek War of Independence, and what was its significance in Ottoman history?
The Greek War of Independence (1821–1832) was a successful revolt by Greeks against Ottoman rule, leading to the establishment of an independent Greek state. It marked one of the first major nationalist uprisings within the Ottoman Empire, inspiring other ethnic groups to seek autonomy or independence. The conflict weakened Ottoman control in the Balkans.
What was the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire in the 19th century?
The Ottoman and Russian Empires were rival powers often engaged in conflict over territory and influence, particularly in the Balkans and the Black Sea region. Russia sought access to warm-water ports and positioned itself as protector of Orthodox Christians under Ottoman rule. Their rivalry fueled several wars, contributing to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire.
What was the Young Turk Movement, and what impact did it have on the Ottoman Empire?
The Young Turk Movement was a reformist group that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries advocating for modernization, constitutional government, and the restoration of the 1876 Ottoman constitution. They successfully led the 1908 Young Turk Revolution, which reinstated parliamentary rule. The movement aimed to strengthen the empire but also accelerated nationalist tensions.
What was one consequence of the decline of the Ottoman Empire for its diverse ethnic groups?
Increased demands for autonomy and independence.
What was the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920, and what was its impact on the Ottoman Empire?
The Treaty of Sèvres was a post-World War I agreement that aimed to dismantle the Ottoman Empire by partitioning its territories among Allied powers and establishing mandates. It imposed severe territorial losses and restrictions, sparking nationalist resistance led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The treaty was never fully implemented and was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne.
