In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman Egypt and Qajar Persia embarked on ambitious project to reform their countries. The empires wanted to develop form the Stone Age to the modern ages. This saw the improvement of their arm including their arsenals, the banking systems, decriminalization of homosexuality and the introduction of secular laws. There were major projects introduced all-round the empires including development of infrastructure and the economy in general.
They sought the help of the Europeans as they needed funds to finance their projects. This led the empires to sign treaties and agreements that will come to affect them in the future. In these developments there were introduction of technology and in the empires as seen in the Ottoman Empire where the first telegram was introduced in the 1847 (Clancy-Smith, Julia and Smith 96). Also in the Ottoman Empire, there was increase in the number of Christian schools and institutions as a result of these reforms as compared to Muslim schools in the empire. This allowed the Christians to be more associated with the development of the economy as opposed to the Muslims. The period between 1850 and 1860 saw an increase on the European influence on the territories of the Ottoman Empire. This was made easy as the Ottoman Empire had first opened its borders and allowed the Europeans to enter their territory in a bid to help them develop.
The same could be seen happening to the Ottoman Empire of Egypt. Their Sultan at the start of the period, Muhammad Ali, led the first waves of reforms in the country. This was characterized by the empire borrowing funds from Europe to finance their high budget in the country. This also marked increase in taxation to the lands and the nationalization of private lands. His major source of spending could be seen to be the creation of an army to be as powerful as those of the Europeans. He strengthened the Egyptian economy and also completed the building of the Suez Canal in the period. The association with the Europeans created ties that the Emperor could not avoid. This gave the Europeans access into Egypt. Muhammad Ali could be seen to rely on the Europeans for trade, specifically exports to the outside. This ties that he created in the end resulted to his downfall.
The development of the economy of Qajar dynasty took place on the reign of Nasser-e-Din. These development included technological advancements, education methods and the introduction of western education into Persia. Shah could be seen to try and exploit Russia and Great Britain in order to develop his own country. This was however counter-attacked by the increase in foreign rule and foreign influence in the governing of his country. He could be seen to have borrowed heavily to finance his trips to Europe in order to show that Persia is an Independent country. This saw the British extending their control in Persian after the Anglo-Persian War, which resulted in Persia losing the control of Herat. The British went ahead to control most of the trade routes and ports of the Persian hence gaining indirect control of the country. By the end of the 19th century, most of the Persians knew that they were under British rule as their government rules were all influenced by the British. In the Reign of Amir Kabir, the Persian Empire nearly went Bankrupt. This resulted in the country undertaking major reforms that included the reduction of government expenditure. It was up to the British to come and help them out through direct injection of funds and increased trading with them. This was the major contribution to the country being enslaved by the British.
The D’Arcy Concession, which was signed in 1901, was a concession of petroleum oil between Mozzafar al-Din Shah and William Knox D’Arcy of Persia. This concession gave D’Arcy the rights to prospect in Persia (Iran) for Oil (Clancy-Smith, Julia and Smith 167).
The Sykes-Picot Agreement, also known as the Asia Minor Agreement, was an agreement that was only between the French and the British. This was a secret agreement with the assent of Russia. The agreement divided the Arab provinces among the French and the British.
Mustafa Kemal was a revolutionary statesman, a Turkish officer in the army of the Ottoman military and the first President of Turkey. He is said to be among the main founders of the Republic of Turkey.
The Twelver Shicis, commonly known as the twelve shicis, are a sub-tride among the middle East nations that see the twelve Imams who succeeded Prophet Muhammad as the true founders of the Muslim community.
The Cossack brigade was a Calvary unit of the Persian Army that was established as a representative of the Cossack units of the Russian Army.
The Arab Revolt took place between 1916 and 1918. It was initiated with the aim of creating a unified Arab State hence securing independence against the Ottoman Turks. The countries involved include Syria and Yemen.
Works Cited
Clancy-Smith, Julia A, and Charles D. Smith. The Modern Middle East and North Africa: A History in Documents. N.p., 2013. Print.
