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    Hasung Kim
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    The Ottoman Empire was in a difficult position on the eve of World War I due to extensive reforms weakening its political and economic strength, heavy foreign debt, and loss of territory. The empire had transitioned to a constitutional monarchy but power was still concentrated among the bureaucracy and military. National identities were emerging among its diverse populations as the empire struggled with a shrinking territory and increasing Muslim demographic majority after losses in the Balkan Wars.

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    The Ottoman Empire was in a difficult position on the eve of World War I due to extensive reforms weakening its political and economic strength, heavy foreign debt, and loss of territory. The empire had transitioned to a constitutional monarchy but power was still concentrated among the bureaucracy and military. National identities were emerging among its diverse populations as the empire struggled with a shrinking territory and increasing Muslim demographic majority after losses in the Balkan Wars.

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    4 views1 page

    War I

    Uploaded by

    Hasung Kim
    The Ottoman Empire was in a difficult position on the eve of World War I due to extensive reforms weakening its political and economic strength, heavy foreign debt, and loss of territory. The empire had transitioned to a constitutional monarchy but power was still concentrated among the bureaucracy and military. National identities were emerging among its diverse populations as the empire struggled with a shrinking territory and increasing Muslim demographic majority after losses in the Balkan Wars.

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    HST206-handout-Ottoman Empire on the Eve of WWI

    OTTOMAN EMPIRE ON THE EVE OF WORD WAR I

    Framework:
    * Westernization – extensive reform to strengthen the state
    * End up with a serious transformation

    Political Structure:
    * Constitutional Monarchy – 1876: first Constitution and Parliament
    1878: suspended
    1908: re-declared
    Political Power Holders:
    * Sultan at top, except for strong Sultans nominal power
    * Bureaucracy real power holding structure in government (product of new state schools)
    * Army members strong

    Economic Setting:
    * Very difficult financial situation
    * Reasons: Westernization drains treasure + losses of territory + foreign debt
    * Declares bankruptcy in 1888
    * Attempts to create a national economy and a Muslim national bourgeoisie at the end
    * Therefore: Shift from previous economic liberalism

    Ideological Landscape:
    * Attempts to create collective political identity - fails
    * Currents such as Ottomanism, Islamism and Turkism – all three overlap in the elite
    * For people at large: mostly their religion – then coupled with ethnicity
    * Formation of national identities – first non-Muslim, then Muslim groups

    Territorial Situation:
    * Shrinking Empire – Lost massive amounts of territory
    * Especially 1878 Ottoman-Russian War and 1912-1913 Balkan Wars

    Population:
    * Serious demographic chages – inward migration to due lost wars and loss of territory
    * First time Muslim majoity (1878) – higher percentage after Balkans lost

    Military:
    * Tired and worn-out due to long wars

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