Download - Civilizations in Crisis
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?