HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM DECLINE OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

ANALYSIS 1 (HISTORY)



Since Sultan Sulaiman Al Qanuni died (1566 AD), work of the Ottoman Empire began its decline phase. But as a kingdom that is very big and strong, the decline was not immediately apparent. Sultan Sulaiman Al Qanuni replaced by Salim II (1566-1573 AD). In his reign, there was a naval battle between the Ottoman Empire with the Christian fleet of Spanish navy, Bundukia navy, naval Pope, and some ships Malta priests led the Don Juan of Spain. The battle took place in the Strait Liponto (Greece). In this battle, defeat the Ottoman Empire that resulted in Tunisia may be captured by the enemy. New in the next sultan, Sultan Murad III, in the year 1575 AD Tunisia can be retaken.

Although Sultan Murad III (1574-1595 AD) a bad personality and likes his own whims and desires of its time Ottoman Empire had invaded the Caucasus and control in the Black Sea Tiflis (1577M), take back Tabriz, the Safavid capital, lowered Georgia, to interfere in the domestic affairs of Poland and defeated the governor of Bosnia in the year 1593 AD (Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, Islamic History and Culture, (Yogyakarta: Flower City, 1989), 339 pages.

However, the moral life of the sultan of bad causes chaos in the country. This chaos intensified, so the appearance of Sultan Muhammad III (1595-1603 AD), the successor Murad III, who killed all his brothers numbered 19 people and widows drowned her father some 10 people for personal gain. (Carl Brockkmann, History of the Islamic People, (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1982), page 328)

The situation is not good, managed to beat Austria Ottoman Empire. Although Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617 AD), the successor of Muhammad III, had risen to improve the situation in the country, but the glory of the Ottoman Empire in the eyes of European nations had begun to fade. After Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617 AD), the situation worsened with the rise of Mustafa I (reign (1618-1622 AD) and second (1622-1623 AD).

Because of political turmoil in the country could not cope, Shaykh al-Iislam issued a fatwa that he descended from the throne and replaced by Osman II (1618-1622 AD). But the latter is also not able to improve the situation. In such a situation, the Persians got hold captured territory back resistance.

Ottoman Empire was not able to do much and had to release the Persian region. Remedial measures undertaken by the kingdom began to Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640 AD). First of all, he tried to organize and discipline its government. Jenissari forces had toppled Usman III can be mastered. However, his reign ended before he managed to clear up the situation the entire country.

Political situation has improved again declined during the reign of Ibrahim (1640-1648 AD), because it includes those who are weak. At this time, the Venetia ornag make war against the sea and managed to drive the Ottoman Turks from Cyprus and Creta year 1645 AD The defeat was brought Muhammad Koprulu (derived from close Amasia in Kopru Asia Minor) in the position as vizier or shadr al a'zham (prime minister) who was given absolute power. (Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, loc. cit.)

He managed to restore law and consolidating the country's financial stability. After Koprulu died (1661 AD), his position held by his son, Ibrahim. Ibrahim thought that his military strength had recovered completely. So he invaded Hungary and threatened Vienna. However, the calculation of Ibrahim missed, he lost the battle in a row.

In the future, the area vast Ottoman Empire was gradually separated from power, was taken by European countries which began to build. In the year 1699 AD, there was "Karlowith Agreement" that forced the Sultan to surrender the whole of Hungary, most of Slovenia and Croatia to the Hapsburg and Hemenietz, Padolia, Ukraine, the Morea, and part of Dalmatia to the people Venetia. (Ibid., page 340)

In the year 1770 AD, the Russian fleet defeated the Ottoman Empire along the coast of Asia Minor. However, the Russians can be beaten back by Sultan Mustafa III (1757-1774 AD) which can immediately consolidate its power.

Sultan Mustafa III was replaced by his brother. Sultan Abd al-Hamid (1774-1789 AD), a weak. Not long after the throne, in the Kutchuk Kinarya, he made an agreement called "Agreement Kinarya" by Catherine II of Russia. The contents of the agreement include:

1. The Ottoman Empire had to surrender the fortresses in the Black Sea to Russia and gave permission to the Russian fleet to cross the strait connecting the Black Sea to the White Sea, and

2. Work recognizes the independence of the Ottoman Kirman (Crimea). Carl Brockelmann, op.cit, page 336)

Thus the process of decline that occurred in the Ottoman Empire for two centuries more after left Sultan Sulaiman Al Qanuni. There was no sign of improvement until the first half of the 19th century AD Therefore, one by one country in the European countries that had ruled this kingdom free himself.

Not only countries in Europe that are experiencing progress Kerjaan rebelled against Ottoman rule, but also several areas in the Middle East trying to get up to rebel.

In Egypt, the weaknesses of the Ottoman Empire made Ali Bey, in 1770 AD, mamalik returned to power in Egypt, until the coming of Napoleon Bonaparte of France in 1798 AD (Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, op. Cit., Page 342)

In Lebanon and Syria, Fakhr al-Din, a Druze leader, managed to control the Palestinians and padatahun1610 M, robbing and threatening Damascus Ba'albak. Fakhr al-Din had surrendered in 1635 AD In Persia, the Safavid Empire as a glorious couple of times a resistance against the Ottoman Empire and several times she came out as winners.

Meanwhile, in Arabia the new rising power, the alliance between the religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's movement, known by local authorities Wahabiyah with Ibn Sa'ud. They managed to control some areas in the Arabian peninsula and surrounding areas early in the second half of the 18th century AD (ibid., page 343-350)

Thus, the revolts that occurred in the Ottoman Empire when he was on the decline, not only occur in areas that are not Moslems, but also in areas with a population of Muslims.

Such movements has continued and even harder in the days afterwards, namely in the 19th century AD and the 20 M. Coupled with the political reform movement in the center of government, the Ottoman Empire ended with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in the year 1924 AD.

Many factors leading to declining Ottoman Empire, among others:

1. The Very Territory Size

Government administration for a very large country area is very complicated and complex, while the Ottoman Empire government administration was wrong. On the other hand, the authorities berambisis controlled a vast territory, so they are constantly involved with various nations. This certainly suck up a lot of potential that should be built to build the country.

2. Population heterogeneity

Some great empire, the Ottoman Empire controlled vast territories, including Asia Minor, Armenia, Iraq, Syria, the Hejaz, and Yemen in Asia; Egypt, Libya Tunis, and Algeria in Africa; and Bulgaria, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Hungary, and Romania in Europe. (Ahmad Syalabi, History and Culture of Islam, the Ottoman Turkish Empire, (Jakarta: Word of Honor, 1988), page 49.

The vast territory inhabited by a diverse population, both in terms of religion, race, ethnicity, and customs. To adjust the diverse population and spread over a wide area, it needs a regular government organizations. Without supported by good administration, the Ottoman Empire would only bear the weight due to the heterogeneity. Nation and religious differences are often behind the revolt and war.

3. Weaknesses The Lords

After the death of Sulaiman Al Qanuni, Ottoman Empire was ruled by the sultans of the weak, both in personality, especially in leadership. As a result, the government became chaotic. Chaos can never be overcome completely, even more and become more severe.

4. Culture Illegal Payments (Bribery)

Extortion is a common act terjad idalam Ottoman Empire. Each office is to be achieved by a person must be "paid" by the bribe to the person entitled to the position. (Syalabi Ahmad, op.cit., Page 50). Outbreak of this extortion culture resulted in increasingly widespread moral decadence that makes officers more vulnerable.

5. Rebellion Army Jenissari

The progress of the Ottoman Empire expansion is determined by the strength of many Jenissari soldiers. Thus one could imagine what if these soldiers rebelled. Jenissari army uprising occurred four times, namely in the year 1525 AD, 1632 AD, 1727 AD and 1826 AD

6. Economic decline

As a result of the war that never stops, the country's economy slumped. Revenue decreased while spending very large countries, including for the cost of war.

7. Stagnation in the occurrence of Science and Technology Officer

Ottoman Empire was less successful in the development of science and technology, because only prioritizes the development of military power. Military progress is not matched by progress in science and technology cause this kingdom could not face the enemy weapons from Europe is more advanced. As mentioned in the previous chapter, not the development of science and technology in the Ottoman Empire, something to do with the development of traditional methods of thinking among Muslims. It was also in line with the decline of free-thinking spirit is not due to the development of philosophical thinking since the time of al-Ghazali.

Thus, the decline of the Ottoman empire. In the next period, in the modern period, the weakness of this empire led the European powers without hesitation invaded and occupied Muslim areas formerly under the authority of the Ottoman Empire, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.

Continued

By : Dr. Badri Yatim, M.A.