Ottoman Empire Part 1 Study Guide

Explain the significance of Palestine to three different religious groups.

In Judaism, Palestine is believed to be a “promised land” for Jacob/Israel and their descendants. The land is also holy to Christianity, as Jesus was born in Bethlehem and was crucified in Jerusalem. In Islam, Muhammad was magically teleported to Jerusalem and then taken to heaven in Jerusalem.

Explain how the split between Arabs and Jews can be traced back to Abraham.

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael with a surrogate Hagar, and Isaac with his wife. Ishmael was his first son and was basically exiled after Abraham and Sarah had Isaac, which was able to happen because God came and told them that if they did what he asked then they would have a child (Sarah was lowkey infertile). After all this, Isaac became the father of the Jews and Ishmael became the father of the Arabs.

How did the Jews in Palestine respond to the Ottoman Empire taking control of it in the early 1500s?

Jews fled Palestine to Europe because the Ottoman Empire was Islamic and the policies and regulations they imposed were Islamic and oppressive to Jews.

In what ways were non-Muslims segregated from Muslims under Ottoman rule?

Non-Muslims had poll taxes, clothing restrictions, couldn’t carry weapons, couldn’t ride horses, and had to get permission to repair their houses of worship.

Explain shari’a law under the Ottoman Empire.

Under the Ottoman Empire, shari’a law was civil law. It dealt with things like marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

What was the purpose of a mufti?

A mufti is a shari’a law judge, and each town had their own mufti. Over centuries, this role developed into being a religious leader in each community, and throughout the entire period muftis were very important.

Explain the divide between Western Muslims and Eastern Muslims.

There’s a key split with Muslims, between the Sunni (west) and Shi’i (East). The Sunni are from west of the Persian Gulf, and are mainly Arabic. The Shi’i are from east of Iran and mainly speak Persian/Farsi.

For what reason was rebellion against the Sultan legal?

The Ottoman Empire was Islamic and followed the Quran (word of God). Under the Quran, rebellion is only justified/legal if the Sultan went against the Quran.

Why did European nations start to challenge the Ottoman Empire’s power in the late 1700s?

European nations were trading with the far East and to do so they had to pass through the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was charging tariffs to pass through their territory and the European nations didn’t want to pay tariffs. And once Russia went to war with the Ottoman Empire and got control over the Crimean Peninsula, the other European countries felt emboldened to also challenge the Ottoman Empire.

What religious claims did Russia, France, and Britain make to justify their actions against the Ottoman Empire?

To justify their actions against the Ottoman Empire, Russia claimed to protect Orthodox Christians; France claimed to protect Catholics; and Britain claimed to protect Jewish people.

What was Zionism and how did it impact the Ottoman Empire in the early 1800s?

Zionism was a movement to create a national home for the Jews in Palestine, their “promised land.” Britain said they believed in this too and so they also backed the Jews more against the Ottoman Empire.

Why did some Muslims rebel and conquer cities in Southwest Iraq in the early 1800s?

They reblled because they thought that the Sultan violated the Quran by extending religious rights to minority groups.

What was the purpose of Sultan Selim III’s New Order in 1805?

He wanted to strengthen the military to stand more of a chance against European warfare.

What changes did the New Order impose?

A new draft and tax intended to be more fair, European style uniforms, and the federal government had more control over the military.

What forced Sultan Selim III to reduce his reforms?

There is a lot of resistance to the changes because people don't want to change their traditions.

Why did Sultan Selim III ally with Napolean in February of 1806?

He thinks they can take back some land from Russia. And the people will be so impressed with Selim and the French army that they want to try the New Order.

Explain how Sultan Selim III failed to stop a mutiny in May of 1807.

He gives into the mutiny over the new order and stops, but that is a weak move and so people still want him replaced.

Explain why the new Sultan, Mustafa IV, was replaced after just one year.

He was a little mentally unstable already, and then he kills Selim III because he wants people to stop calling for his reinstatement, but this goes against the Quran so bye Mustafa.

What were the key results of the Treaty of Bucharest?

Russia gets parts of Moldavia and the causasus’, the Ottoman Empire agreed to pay reparations, which they will go into debt to pay, and Russia recognizes the ottoman Empires control of Serbia.

How did Muhammad Ali gain more power and authority over Egypt in the early-1800s?

After being elected governor, his army is successful in conquering Sudan and parts of Syria and the Arabian peninsula. Europe sees him as a greater threat, and he gets an agreement that they would recognize him as the true ruler of Egypt and Sudan.

How did Ali Pasha attempt to increase his power over Ioannina in the early 1800s?

He started working with other European countries, without the permission of the Sultan, teaching his army, western fighting styles.

What action did Ali Pasha take in 1820 and for what purpose?

In 1820 he decides to Rebelle because the ottoman Empire was dealing with other rebellions at the time. He sends assassins to the Sultan to a destabilize the government.

For what three different reasons did Greeks begin to rebel in the 1820s?

Greek nationalists, religion (orthodox Christians), and the ability of potentially gain power from the rebellion.

Why did Muhammad Ali help the Empire against the Greek rebellion?

His son Ibrahim would become the Pasha of Crete and the governor of the Peloponnese.

In what ways did the Greek revolt become a form a guerrilla resistance?

After the Ottomans begin making progress on the Greeks, they start spreading out and attacking supply lines to affect the strength of the military.

Why did Sultan Mahmud II agree to the Convention of Akkerman with Russia and what did this convention provide?

He is worried that Russia will help Greece more, so gives Russia, more of the Caucuses, and parts of the Danubian principalities.

Who won the Battle of Navarino on October 20, 1827, and what action did Greece take as a result?

Russia, Britain, and France decimate the Ottoman navy and it empowers them to elect president John Capodistrias.

What were the key stipulations of the Treaty of Adrianople of 1829?

Russia gets the more of the Caucasuses, Greece gets autonomy as well as Serbia.

What was the result of the London Protocol of February 1830?

Britain, France, and Russia promise to establish an independent Greek Kingdom and give them a German Prince (Otto) to be king.

Why did Muhammad Ali begin taking over more land in Palestine and Syria in 1831 and 1832?

He wants the compensation for helping in the Greek War because he won't be getting Crete and the Peloponnese for Ibrahim.

Why did Britain and France get involved in the Ottoman Empire’s war against Muhammad Ali?

They become worried because Russia had made the Mutual Defense Pact with the Ottoman Empire that allowed them to close the Dardanelles.

Which country supported Muhammad Ali and Egypt in their efforts against the Ottoman Empire in 1839?

France supported him in 1839 to potentially be able to steal some territory.

What were the key aspects/results of the Convention of Alexandria, November 5, 1840?

Muhammad Ali's troops had to evacuate any area not Egypt, the army is reduced to 18,000 troops, and he becomes the viceroy of Egypt.