Crisis and Change in the Ottoman Empire and Qing China

Ottoman Empire

A major Islamic empire facing decline due to internal strife.

Islamic Heartland

Region central to Islamic culture, experiencing political instability.

Qing China

Last imperial dynasty of China, weakened by foreign pressures.

European interference

External influence disrupting stability and sovereignty of empires.

Qing China

Experienced growth and prosperity before late 19th century.

Ottoman Empire

Faced territorial losses and internal challenges post-1750.

Janissaries

Elite military corps that resisted reforms in the empire.

Auspicious Incident

Mahmud II's successful elimination of Janissary power.

Tanzimat Reforms

Westernization efforts in the Ottoman Empire from 1839-1876.

Sultan Abd al-Hamid II

Shifted to despotic rule, abolished constitution (1876-1909).

Young Turks

Reformist group that overthrew Abd al-Hamid II.

Selim III

Initiated modest reforms but faced Janissary rebellion.

Mahmud II

Implemented successful military and bureaucratic reforms.

Ottoman Retreat

Period of decline marked by weak leadership and territorial loss.

Western Imperialism

External influence contributing to internal challenges in Asia.

Balkans Independence

Greece (1830) and Serbia (1867) gained independence from Ottomans.

European Competition

Ruined local industries in the Ottoman Empire.

Economic Decline

Ottomans struggled economically against advanced Western industries.

Reforms Impact

Did little to improve the economy or women's rights.

Naval Presence

Britain's strategy to support the Ottoman Empire in 19th century.

Despotism

Abd al-Hamid II's response to threats against his power.

Constitution Restoration

Young Turks restored civil liberties after 1908 coup.

Power Struggles

Regional governors and leaders vied for control in the empire.

Religious Leaders

Influential figures involved in Ottoman power dynamics.

Ottoman Bureaucracy

Western-style administration established by Mahmud II.

Industrial Capability

Lack thereof weakened Asian states against Western powers.

Political Decline

Resistance to European intrusion led to internal challenges.

Naval Strategy

Britain's military presence aimed to deter Russian expansion.

Reformers' Threat

Sultans felt endangered by calls for political change.

Civil Liberties

Limited freedoms under Abd al-Hamid II's rule.

Puppet Sultan

Installed by Young Turks after Abd al-Hamid II's removal.

Ottoman Empire

A historical empire that declined over time.

World War I

Conflict Ottoman Empire hoped to regain territory.

Muhammad Ali

Albanian Ottoman who reformed Egypt's government.

Mamluk Vassals

Ottoman allies defeated by Napoleon in Egypt.

Nile Valley

Region taken by Napoleon during his campaign.

Cotton Textile Industry

Economic reform attempted by Ali in Egypt.

Suez Canal

Completed in 1869, financed by foreign investment.

Khedive

Ruler of Egypt under Ottoman control.

Puppet Khedives

Leaders controlled by British consuls in Egypt.

Jihad

Call for struggle against foreign influences.

Al-Azhar

Meeting ground for Muslim intellectuals in Egypt.

European Intrusion

Interference in Egypt's affairs by European powers.

Ahmad Orabi

Led a failed revolt against the khedive.

Debt to Europeans

Egypt's financial obligation due to foreign investments.

Single Crop Producer

Egypt focused primarily on cotton production.

Landlords

Local elites who profited from peasant exploitation.

Peasant Resistance

Failure of Ali's reforms led to peasant unrest.

Extravagant Events

Government spending on lavish activities and military.

British Protectorate

Status imposed on Egypt after Orabi's revolt.

Sudanic Nomads

Local peoples opposing Egyptian exploitation in Sudan.

Limited Success

Ali's reforms did not fully achieve intended goals.

Crisis in Arab Lands

Territories faced European intrusion post-Ottoman decline.

Military Campaigns

Egypt's government engaged in conflicts in Sudan.

European Control

Foreign powers exerted influence over Egyptian governance.

Mahdi

Religious leader who initiated Sudanese Jihad.

Jihad

Struggle or fight against enemies of Islam.

Khalifa Abdallahi

Successor of Mahdi, established strong Islamic state.

Battle of Omdurman

1898 conflict where British defeated Sudanese forces.

British Empire

Colonial power that controlled Egypt and Sudan.

Qing Dynasty

Last imperial dynasty of China, ruled by Manchu.

Manchu

Ethnic group that seized power in China, 1644.

Ming Dynasty

Preceding dynasty, overthrown by Manchu in 1644.

Examination System

Merit-based system for selecting government officials.

Non-Manchu Bureaucracy

Majority of officials were not of Manchu descent.

Patriarchal Society

Social structure emphasizing male authority and lineage.

Female Infanticide

Cultural practice of killing female infants.

Agricultural Infrastructure

Systems supporting farming and crop production.

Population Growth

Increase in population that strained resources.

Socio-Economic Gap

Disparity between rich landlords and poor peasants.

Commercialism

Economic system focused on trade and commerce.

Silver Profits

Wealth gained from trade, especially in silver.

Compradors

Chinese merchants facilitating foreign trade.

Trade Entrepots

Ports for international trade, like Canton and Macao.

Internal Decay

Decline of Qing authority and effectiveness.

Nepotism

Favoritism shown to relatives in bureaucratic positions.

Military Weakness

Decline in military power due to financial issues.

Yellow River Dikes

Flood control structures left in disrepair.

Peasant Migration

Movement of peasants seeking better living conditions.

Corrupt Officials

Government representatives failing to address public issues.

Food Scarcity

Insufficient food supply due to population pressures.

Guerrilla Tactics

Irregular warfare methods used by Mahdists.

Islamic Right

Conservative Islamic governance under Khalifa Abdallahi.

British Demands

Economic pressures imposed on Sudan by British rule.

Opium Wars

Conflicts over opium trade between Britain and China.

Manchu

Chinese dynasty that viewed Europeans as barbarians.

Lin Zexu

Official who blockaded Canton to stop opium trade.

Treaty of Nanjing

1842 agreement granting Britain control of Hong Kong.

Taiping Rebellion

1850-1864 revolt led by Hong Xiuquan against Manchu rule.

Hong Xiuquan

Leader of the Taiping Rebellion advocating social reforms.

Sino-Japanese War

1894-1895 conflict causing loss of Korean control.

Boxer Rebellion

1899 uprising against foreign influence in China.

Empress Dowager Cixi

Last powerful ruler of the Manchu dynasty.

Order of Harmonious Righteous Fists

Group known as Boxers opposing foreign devils.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 US law banning Chinese immigration.

Chinese Migration

Movement of Chinese workers to various global regions.

Ethnic Enclaves

Communities preserving culture, e.g., Chinatown in SF.

Silver Revenues

Decline due to increased opium trade in China.

Opium Addiction

Widespread addiction in China from opium trade.

Military Force

Britain threatened China with military action over trade.