European Claims in Muslim Regions

3 Muslim Empires

Ottomans in the Middle East, Safavids in Persia, and Mughals in India

All declined due to corruption and discontent

Muhammad Ahmad claimed to be the Mahdi, or savior of the Muslim faith

Ottomans

North Africa, SE Europe, and parts of the Middle East

Provincial leaders called pashas and $ problems led to unrest

European nations noticed this and took Ottoman lands

In the 1700s the government and tax collection were reformed

Sultans wanted to keep the government autocratic genocide of Christian Armenians

Egypt

Muhammad Ali(not the boxer) led economic and political reforms

Conquered neighboring lands and made Egypt the main Middle Eastern power

Leaders succeeding Ali were unable to maintain this power and Britain gained control of Egypt in 1882

Persia

Present day Iran When oil was discovered, foreign nations

tried to control Iran’s oil fields

These nations were granted special privileges called concessions. They also sent troops to protect their interests

Foreigners caused debate of whether or not to Westernize