Reasons For The Collapse Of The Ottoman Empire

Prior to the 1900’s, the Ottoman Empire was a major country in Europe, with a vast sense of power that could be seen by all, however as the 1900’s got closer, the Ottoman Empire went into decline and would ultimately lead to their collapse. The Ottoman empire prior to their decline had a huge stake in European Society, due to the fact that they were located at a major trading area that every country in Europe wanted. The ability of having a major geographically advantage lead to the Ottoman having one of the biggest stake in European trade. The Ottoman Empire was a long lasting nation that helped develop European both socially and economically through its lifetime(Quataert Donald Vol 34), making a distinct cultural society that were adapted by almost every country within Europe.

They had a distinct economy that was centered around their ability to conduct trade on a worldwide level, importing and exporting goods almost daily.

The vast control that the Ottoman had on this, allowed them to grow over the span of a couple of centuries, eventually making them a powerhouse. This made them such a prominent country, making their collapse such a huge implication on European society as a whole. With the collapse of the Ottoman, the balance of power also collapsed, which in turn created a shift for the struggle of power from all the nations, Each country wanted a stake in the Ottoman, each with its own selfish reasons in improving their country, at the expense of the Ottomans. The capitalism in European nations and how it corresponded to the production of the Ottoman Empire, prior to its collapsed made perfect sense for nations to try and control the Ottomans(Pamuk, Sevket). The early trade

developed
by the Ottoman ensured that once they collapsed, they would have long lasting implications, not only through the fact that other countries wanted the area for trade, but these same countries needed the geography of the Ottoman, to get the goods that they need. The fight for the balance of power in Europe was not only a way to improve the status of the country, but to protect the declination of the country. Most countries, specifically France, heavily relied on the Ottoman as a trading city for many of their goods, therefore the collapse of it meant the weakening of an already weakened France(McDougall, Walter).
The most major countries in Europe during the time, ranging from France, England, Spain, Germany, and Russia, each had their own reasons for gaining control of the collapsed Ottoman. While their main goal was to improve the status of their own country, many countries were trying to prevent the others from growing too strong. Many countries were still fearful of Napoleon and how he conquered half of Europe and took the balance of power completely in his hands, they were all trying in their own power to prevent the other country from becoming that. Smaller countries also were trying to gain control of the Ottomans, mainly for the reason of trying to protect himself from the bigger countries taking over(AP European History Book). These countries included Belgium, Prussia, and Austria. France on the big hand, wanted the Ottoman for their trade and resources, during this time the Ottomans and France heavily relied on each other for goods that meant that both countries were very weak to stand on its own(Kasaba, Resat). That meant that France weakened as the Ottoman weakened, ensuring that their goal in the balance of power was to improve the status of their country and prevent the complete failure of a country that has already been through so many struggles. In terms of England, they wanted the Ottoman simply to compete against the Russians. Russia at the time wanted a warm water port from the Ottoman, which would further implement their trading and allow for them to expand into oversea trade. England at the time, leading the world in sea trade and naval power, felt the
Russians would become a threat for the trade in Britain.(AP European History Book)This lead to the balance of power in Britain as a means of ensuring their own power and elevating their status as a naval power. The monopoly of over sea trade by Britain, ensured that all profits would go to Britain and that trading overseas would not happen unless Britain approved of it. This alone was the major driving force in Britain wanting to control the Ottomans. Spain, on the other hand wanted the Ottoman as a resource area. During that time, Spain had multiple colonies throughout the old world and the new world. This meant that Spain was a major country for raw materials and resources for the production of goods. The control of the Ottomans would mean that Spain would hold almost all major raw materials in the world. This would give them a huge advantage in ultimately becoming the major trade city that they wished to become(AP European History Book). The complete control of raw materials would make Spain rise as a major European Power, able to compete against nations such as Britain and Germany. Russia during this time was in a rebuilding stage. After the Napoleonic war in Europe, Russia was a major city meant to rise as a new powerhouse in Europe, however this was delayed due to internal domestic affairs that they could not solved. Their inability to control their people and regulate the huge land mass that Russian was made of, made the trading economy of Russia very narrow and had each small communities dependent on himself, something was very socially and culturally behind the rest of the European nations. This was why the control of the Ottoman was such a major implication for Russia; the direct control of this would open up the economy of Russia and allow for them to grow like they were suppose to. The Ottoman territory provided a warm water port that would be much more beneficial than the cold Arctic ports that Russian was used too, meaning that the balance of power for Russia meant the growth of a nation destined to become a major power in the world.