Q. Discuss the political; conditions of Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 19th century
a. It has called the "Sick man of Europe" as it gradually lost the majority of its territory. The Ottomans were military inferior. European imperialists sensed an opportunity to take away lands occupied by the Ottomans, making them their own colonies.
b. The Ottomans lacked European education; European industry or powerful European armies; Forced to struggle & lose wars; When they tried to being new changes in their social system, their resources and finances were directed towards wars; No scope for modernization
c. The Russian army took away Rumania & Bulgaria from the Ottomans; Britain captured Cyprus & Egypt; Austria got hold of Bosnia. Britain & France divided the ottoman Arab lands between them.
d. The Ottoman losses demanded massive expenses. The Ottoman lands were captured by others; Great amount of money was spent to protect them; Millions of repatriates; Huge strain on Ottoman economy; Forced to take loans at resinous rates to modernize & to defend
e. Not permitted to cure themselves; The illness led to death; Could not stand against the forces of European imperialism; Their losses went a far 200 yrs. It yielded finally during the First World War.