Abdul Hamid II

1876 – 1909

Reaction to modernization

• Islam could not be flawed -> fault with Muslims:– French knowers/Western educated elite targeted,

but also– Self-criticism of Muslim intellectuals and political

activists

• Reassertion of Islamic values

Territorial losses

• Abdul Hamid accepted losses of the “peripheries” of the empire; the Balkans, Tunisia and Egypt

• Retained the core territory of the empire; consolidation (e.g. fought to keep Armenia)

Authoritarian reform

• Abdul Hamid II suspended the constitution in 1878

• Control of government moved back to the royal palace

• Expanded powers of the central government• Political and intellectual restrictions

Tanzimat vs Abdul Hamid II

• Western inspired reforms

• Secularism• Ottomanism

• Stress on Islamic heritage

• Catered to religious establishment

• Pan-Islam• The caliphate; protector

of all Muslims

Continuity

• Improvement of financial system a priority, but empire still ended up bankrupt Europeans in control of finances

• Educational reforms continued; number of schools and teachers doubled

• Infrastructure further developed: 6 x roads, 3 x rail tracks, telegraph x 3; mining; agricultural export increased; local industry

• Centralization of control tightened• Closer relationship with Germany

Authoritarian rule

• Strict censorship of press, school curricula and public discussions

• Secret police and spies • Imprisonment or exile of leading officials and

intellectuals; formed opposition groups• Higher educational institutions breeding

grounds for discontent

Separatist movements

• Ruthless suppression of nationalist movement• Armenian community targeted

Abdul Hamid’s demise

• Caused by:– Economic pressures– Foreign interference– Autocratic rule– Loss of army’s support