Civilizations in Crisis

I. Ottoman Empire

Ottoman power declined due in part to a series of weak rulers incapable of dealing with the West Opened door to power struggles between rival gov’t

ministers, religious experts, military commanders Loss of centralized control over population and resources Unhappy artisans led to urban riots

Disliked influx of cheap European goodsEuropeans began to chip away at Ottoman Empire

Beginning with modern-day Hungary, Greece, on into to areas of Caucasus Mountains (Russia)

Managed to survive into 20th century Conflicts between European powers prevented full

takeover

I. Continued…

Societal reforms slow due to internal fighting Administrative/military reforms met with resistance from

powerful bureaucrats/Janissary leaders Mahmud II built secret army to disrupt Janissary power, attempted

to westernize in order to compete Tanzimat reforms (1839-1876)

Major push towards westernization Western-style education – training in European sciences and math Railways, telegraphs, newspapers, law reforms (new constitution

- 1876) Very few improvements for women

Sultanate under pressure - Sultan Abdul Hamid attempted to return to absolute power Restricted civil liberties, while continuing to westernize some aspects

of society: Military, technologies, education system

I. Continued…

1908 – Ottoman Society for Union & Progress Founded by exiled intellectuals opposed to authoritarian

rule The Young Turks were determined to restore 1876

constitution Military coup removed sultan from power

1914 – lost control of Arab portions of empire In-fighting among Young

Turk officers slowed progress

WWI – beginning of the end of Ottoman imperial control

II. Arab Islamic Heartlands

Decline of Ottomans left Arab lands unprotected from Europe

Napoleon’s success in Egypt showed how far Muslim world had fallen behind Europe Mamluk (ex-Mongol slaves) cavalry used medieval armor and

spears against modern artillery of Napoleon’s forces Westernization efforts/European influence in

Egypt Muhammad Ali – ruler of Egypt (1801-48)

Wanted European-style military, but reluctant to fully westernize

Pressure from European powers prevented real industrialization – remained mainly agricultural based Egyptian economy became dependent on European markets

II. Continued…

Ali’s descendants (khedives) ruled until 1952 (eventually) as puppets of British

Suez Canal became center of conflict among European powers and between Arab states

Control over shipping routes

Islamic scholars discussed best ways to reduce European influence

Conflict between religious conservatives and those that argued for borrowing ideas from West (ex: al-Afghani)

Agreed on need for Muslim unity in face of European aggression

Lack of unified resistance signaled beginning of Western dominance of Middle East for next century

III. Qing Dynasty in China

As Ming Dynasty began to decline, Manchu peoples of the North invaded 1644 – capture city of Beijing, took 20 years to

take full control China Declared themselves Qing Dynasty

Retained much of the political system from Ming dynastySocietal changes were minimal

Further decline of women’s status (more feet-binding, infanticide)

Relaxed isolationist policies of Ming Growth of merchant class (compradors)

Corruption planted seeds of decline Examination system failed

Government positions could be easily bought Public works declined, famine and disease increased

III. Continued…

European threat Europeans began trading opium from India for Chinese goods Chinese realized opium was a threat to society (but too late)

1% of population addicted (4,000,000) Opium Wars – (1839-1860) resulted in British taking control of

Hong Kong as a trading port Rebellions and conflicts add to Qing’s demise

Taiping Rebellion – led by Hong Xiuquan (self-proclaimed prophet), sought to overthrow Qing rule and influence of scholar-gentry Led to self-strengthening movement - led by regional leaders,

modernized armies, factories, transportation Boxer Rebellion – 1898 uprising intended to expel foreigners

Failure led to even greater control/influence by Europeans

III. Continued…

End of the dynastic cycle Revolutionaries from rising western-educated middle

class sought to end Qing rule Reorganize China based on western models/ideas However, despised foreign involvement

1911 – secret society uprisings, student demonstrations, and military mutinies erupted Regional leaders refused to put down rebellions 1912 – Last Qing emperor (Puyi) was removed

Next for modern China? Nationalists vs. Communists

Key Vocabulary – ch. 26

Tanzimat reformsOttoman Society for

Union & ProgressKhedivesKhartoumBanner armiesQing dynastyCompradorsOpium WarTaiping Rebellion

Self-strengthening movement

Boxer RebellionSuez Canal

Wrap-up: 5 minute response

In what ways were the empires of the Ottomans’ and the Qing similar? How were they different?