The Eastern Question, as it was termed by the European Powers in the nineteenth century, was a debate primarily concerned with the issue of 'what to do with the Turk?'. The Ottoman Empire had become known as the 'sick man of Europe' following its gradual decline since the eighteenth century, and its demise would be highly problematic for the crowned heads of Europe. This unique book focuses on the intellectual and political dynamics of the first Ottoman political opposition in the modern sense, the so-called 'Young Ottomans'. In the process it narrates an alternative version of the Eastern Question as experienced and told by its Eastern observers and critics. Nazan A icek shows how an important section of the newly-rising semi-autonomous Ottoman Muslim Turkish intelligentsia in the second half of the nineteenth century, effectively answered the alternative question of 'what to do with the West?'.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
INTRODUCTION
Europe's 'Eastern Question' or the Turk's 'Western Question?
Historical and Social Setting
The Young Ottomans: The Quest for a Way Out
The Triumvirate: Namik Kemal, Ziya Bey and Ali Suavi
The Nexus: David Urquhart and the Young Ottomans
CHAPTER 1: THE CRETAN INSURRECTION 1866-1869
Introduction
Crete: The Half-Hearted Domain of the Sultan
The Prelude to the Insurrection: Crete as the Theatre of the 'Eastern Question'
The Opening of the Insurrection: Crete as the Arena of Foreign Intervention
The Plea for Fairness: The Young Ottomans on the Cretan Affair
Second Year of the Insurrection, the Sultan's Visit to Europe and a New Stage of the Young Ottoman Opposition
Conclusion
CHAPTER 2: THE QUESTION OF EQUALITY BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS AND THE FOREIGN INTERVENTION INTO THE 'DOMESTIC' AFFAIRS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Introduction
Islahat Fermani and the Question of Equality
Foreign Intervention in the Internal Affairs of the Ottoman Empire
The Limits of the Ottoman's Forbearance and a Debate on the Remedy: Usul-ü Mesveret or Civil Disobedience?
Conclusion
CHAPTER 3: THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND THE YOUNG OTTOMANS
Introduction
Marvels of Progress, Political Economy and the Young Ottomans
Finance Capital, Foreign Loans and the Ottoman Public Debt
Ottoman External Borrowing and the Young Ottomans
Awakening the Captain to the Danger: The Young Ottoman Appeal to the Sultan, the Extravagances of the Ruling Elite and the Broken Tacit Contract
Conclusion
CONCLUSION
