Ottoman Empire Study Guide - Part 2

In December of 1855, Austria helped bring about an Armistice; how so?

- Austria threatened to join the Allies if Russia wouldn't negotiate in peace

When Russian troops withdrew from the Danubian provinces in June of 1854, what action did Austria take and why?

- Austrian troops replaced the Russian troops because they said that they needed to protect if for the Ottomans.

Why was Egypt willing to provide the Ottoman Empire with 35,000 troops?

- Because both Muhammad Ali and Ibrahim were dead and Ibrahim's grandson: Abbas Hilmi was in charge and he was much more supportive of the Ottomans.

Regarding the fighting between Egypt and the Ottoman Empire, which side did Britain and Russia support in the late-1830s and why?

- Because of the change in Sultan to a 16 year old, and because of Muhammad Ali's power growing, they decided to support the empire thinking they could control the Sultan

How did these reforms affect the Ottoman Navy?

- Because the main source of their navy was Greek sailors (& they had gained autonomy), it took a lot to build it back up again.

When war was officially declared on March 31, 1854, who was officially helping the Ottoman Empire and why?

- Britain and France are officially helping the Ottoman Empire because they are afraid that Russia would take everything if they won.

What land did Britain want?

- Egypt, Crete, and for Constantinople to become a free port

What was the overall effect of the Crimean War regarding the Ottoman Empire's standing with other European nations?

- Even though this treaty removed the Russian threat, it gave Britain a lot more influence over the Ottomans

Why did Muhammad Ali begin taking over more land in Palestine and Syria in 1831 and 1832?

- He believed that even though the Ottomans lost the Greek War, he still deserved compensation for sending his military to help fight the war

How did Muhammad Ali become the ruler of Egypt?

- He came to Egypt in the early 1800s to drive Napoleon out of Egypt (with the Ottoman army) - After succeeding, he stayed in Egypt and built his power by listening to the people and outsmarting his rivals - Eventually he imposed himself as the ruler of Egypt

Why did the French President, Prince Louis-Napoleon, claim a right to the Holy Sites in Palestine?

- He claimed a right to the Holy Sites as a way to get support from the French clergy in an effort to become Emperor

What were the key stipulations/effects of the Treaty of Paris, March 30, 1856?

- It recognized the Ottoman Empire as a European Power - It claimed that the other powers had no right to interfere with the Sultan's empire or his subjects - In exchange, the Ottomans clarified the reforms for the Non-Muslim population - The Russians give all the land they took from the Ottomans back to them, although Moldavia and Walachia gain autonomy

Explain how Sultan Mahmud II's decision to order Muhammad Ali to retake control of Mecca and Medina was a no-lose situation for the Sultan?

- It was a win-win situation because the Sultan would either gain land or lose the problem of Muhammad Ali

What were the key aspects/results of the Convention of Alexandria, November 5, 1940?

- It was agreed that Egypt's troops would evacuate all land that isn't Egypt - Ibrahim's army would be limited to 18,000 soldiers - The closing of ships during peace time is resumed

What effect did Muhammad Ali's 'revolt' have on the Ottoman Empire's relationship with Russia?

- Mahmud asked Russia to help him take down Muhammad Ali - While Russia was deciding, Ibrahim begins moving his troops toward Constantinople (this gets Russia's attention) - April 1833 - Russia sends 30,000 troops to help protect Constantinople - In exchange, the Ottomans agree to a mutual defense pact with Russia (Russia is allowed to ask the Ottomans to close the dardanelles to enemy warships) - This scares Britain and France and causes them to get involved

What effect did the ending of feudalism have on forced labor and how so?

- Many of the landlords didn't follow through with the abolishing of feudalism, and many continued forced labor - Lots of peasants resisted, and in most cases, courts would support the peasants, but it was the local councils' (landlords) job to enforce the new laws, so the forced labor continued

Why did Russia believe they had a right to control over the Holy Sites in Palestine?

- More Russians made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem than any of the Ottoman Christians and the French Catholics combined

What was Muhammad Ali's reaction to the Treaty of London, July of 1840 and why?

- Muhammad Ali rejected it because the thought France would support him (he was wrong)

Why were Russia and Austria upset at the Ottoman Empire regarding Hungarian and Polish revolts?

- Nicholas I claimed that the Russian Pilgrims faced violence and threats when going through Ottoman land to get to Palestine - He allied with Austria, agreeing to divide Ottoman land between them

What similar actions did Britain, France, and Russia all take in the Spring of 1853 that helped lead to the Crimean War?

- Russia demanded that the Ottomans give Russia priority/control over the Holy Sites and recognize Russia's rights over Ottoman Orthodox Christians - The Ottoman Empire rejects this command - Russia, Britain, and France all sent ships to the Dardanelles - This breaks the agreement they made in the Straights Convention that said they wouldn't send ships to the Dardanelles during peace-time - All three are not working together, though. - Each country gives the Sultan an Ultimatum about not dealing with the other two

Thanks to an improved control over the military, Sultan Mahmud II began the Tanzimat in 1826. What were the key acts of reform and reorganization that were attempted?

- Sultan decided to dissolve the army in order to create a new one (dissolved militia and drafted soldiers) - Began to reform society (promoting equality, attempted to end corruption, etc.) - Established more power over the regional government by creating new offices - Attempted to model society off of Europe's society - Built new Mosques in order to keep the people's support.

For what reasons did the Tanzimat reforms fail?

- Taxes were unevenly applied throughout the empire - Lack of trained officers to carry out the reforms - Lack of money - They did not abolish the poll tax for non-Muslims - Poor infrastructure - Low literacy rates

In the winter of 1852-53, Russia and Britain began discussing the possibility of dividing up some of the land under the Ottoman Empire's control. What land was Russia wanting?

- The Danubian Principalities, Bulgaria, and Serbia

In July of 1853, Russia invaded Moldavia and threatened to take over the Danubian provinces. What did Russia demand in exchange for the withdrawing?

- They demanded that their previous conditions were met (demanded that the Ottomans give Russia priority/control over the Holy Sites and recognize Russia's rights over Ottoman Orthodox Christians.

What was the main goal of ending feudalism and creating a Council of Agriculture and Trade in 1831?

- To grow enough crops to export rather than just making enough crops to feed the people

Why did European nations accept Muhammad Ali's rule in Egypt?

- When he tried to take over Sudan, Syria, and Arabia, the European Allies came in and drove him out - They then made a deal with him that he would become the leader of Egypt and Sudan, as long as he stayed out of Syria and Arabia

On November 3, 1839, new Sultan Abdulmecid issued the Gulhane Decree, restarting the Tanzimat Era. What were the five key aspects of the Gulhane Decree?

1) The past failures of the empire were because of the old, outdated system, therefore they had to reform 2) Equality for non-Muslims under the Justice system 3) More consistent form of taxation 4) Fairer draft method (everyone was eligible) 5) Outlawed bribery