The Eastern Question: A Historical Analysis of Imperial Ambitions and the Ottoman Empire's Decline
Since the late 18th century, the Eastern Question emerged as European powers sought to curtail the Ottoman Empire's expansion and to divide the Islamic world. This geopolitical dilemma revolved around the strategies of European imperialists aiming to undermine the unity of the Islamic territories, ultimately leading to their colonization and fragmentation.
The imperialist approach involved various tactics, including the occupation of regions from India to North Africa, and the promotion of modernization through Westernization. Traditional Islamic education was replaced with European missionary schools, marginalizing scholars and altering the judicial landscape by favoring mixed courts over Sharia law. This shift not only disrupted the social fabric but also served the interests of colonial powers, who sought to control the economic resources of the Ottoman Empire.
The Treaty of Berlin in 1878 exemplified the division of Ottoman territories, with Austria administering Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Britain taking control of Cyprus. The consequences of these treaties were profound, as they facilitated the exploitation of Ottoman resources, leading to economic disintegration and social unrest, such as the rebellion led by Muhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt.
The Eastern Question intensified following the Russo-Ottoman War (1768-1774), marking the beginning of the Empire's decline. The term
sick man of Europe,
coined by Tsar Alexander II, symbolized the weakening state of the Ottoman Empire and justified European interventions aimed at its eventual dismemberment. The internal strife, fueled by European manipulation, culminated in the Empire's dissolution post-World War I, leading to the establishment of the Turkish Republic and the division of its lands under the Treaty of Sevres and the Treaty of Lausanne.
The historical narrative of the Eastern Question reveals the complexities of imperial ambitions and the long-lasting impacts on the Islamic world. The policies of penetration and colonization not only dismantled the Ottoman Empire but also laid the groundwork for ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
