The Ottoman Empire, 1700-1922

New Approaches to European History #34

by Donald Quataert

The Ottoman Empire, 1700–1922 is the latest addition to the successful textbook series New Approaches to European History, and strikes a balance between social, economic, and political history. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most important non-Western states to survive from medieval to modern times, and played a vital role in European and global history. It continues to affect the peoples of the Middle East, the Balkans and central and western Europe to the present day. This major new survey examines the most important trends during the latter years of the empire; it pays attention to gender issues and to hotly-debated topics such as the treatment of minorities. Donald Quataert, a distinguished Ottoman scholar, has written a lively, authoritative and accessible narrative. The text is supported by maps, illustrations and genealogical and chronological tables, which will be of enormous value to students and non-specialists alike.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Middle East, 19th Century, 18th Century, Ebooks, Islam

230 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2000

About the author

Donald George Quataert (September 10, 1941 – February 10, 2011) was a Dutch-American born historian at Binghamton University. He taught courses on Middle East/Ottoman history, with an interest in labor, social and economics, during the early and modern periods. He also provided training in the reading of Ottoman archival sources.

Reviews

[Stan Murai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern Turkey tends to be overlooked in the discourse on events occurring in the world today, but it is only one of some 30 countries that were included in its forerunner the Ottoman Empire, which was one of the most important states to survive from the medieval period into modern times, playing a very vital role in both European and global history. It's legacy continues to influence the peoples of the Middle East, the Balkans, central and eastern Europe to this very day. The author Donald Quataert offers a concise but authoritative treatment of the developments that mark the periods between 1700 and 1922. He provides ample evidence for why a study of the Ottoman Empire is necessary for understanding the events of the modern world. He outlines the origins of the the Ottoman from its origins to about 1683, the time of the failed siege of Vienna. He discusses in detail the transformations of methods of rule that had to take place to accommodate a growing state that grew remarkably from a tiny tribal chiefdom to a vast multi-ethnic empire, which is often characterized as an Islamic sultanate or caliphate, yet during most of its history had a majority of non-muslim subjects. The lengthy chapter on economic development, demographic changes, transportation, trade and culture is especially interesting and informative. The sensitive issue of religious and and ethnic minorities is covered in a section on inter-communal co-operation and conflict. A common, but mistaken tendency, is to Turkey as the only successor state of the Ottoman Empire, but it endures in many forms throughout many regions of Africa, Europe, and Asia.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my Islamic World 1700-present class. This is definitely an area of interest for me, and I felt that the book was pretty well-written and comprehensive, though it did sacrifice detail for brevity. Written from a modern perspective, so some nice side comments making the history relevant to today.

[Esha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction, with suggestions for further reading. Although I sympathize with the thesis that the Ottoman empire offers a model of 'non-national, multi-religious and multi-ethnic forms of organization', Quataert seemed a bit apologetic as to the mass murders, ethnic cleansing and genocides that characterized the early 20th century in the Ottoman empire.

[Alyssa Gambino · Rating 1 out of 5]

never again

[Walker White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful and well-researched, this book offers a sensitive, nuanced, and historiographically sound view of the Empire during its so-called Decline period. A good introduction to the topic, though the prose is for the most part bone-dry.

[فهد الفهد · Rating 4 out of 5]

الدولة العثمانية ( 1700 م – 1922 م)

دونالد كواترت ( أستاذ التاريخ في جامعتي بنغهامبتون ونيويورك، متخصص في التاريخ العثماني وله عدة كتب حول هذا الموضوع)

لا أدري كم مر على هذا الكتاب وهو في مكتبتي !! فواقع أنني أشتري عددا ً لا بأس به من الكتب من المكتبات أو من معارض الكتب، يجعل بعض الكتب تنتظر عندي أعواما ً حتى يحل موعد قراءتها، وبعضها تنتهي صلاحيته وأنا لم أقرأه – فلبعض الكتب تاريخ صلاحية بحيث نكتشف عندما نأتي لقراءتها بأننا تجاوزناها وأنها لم تعد تفيدنا، وقليلة هي الكتب المفتوحة الصلاحية بحيث نقرأها في كل مرة بروح جديدة كأننا ماقرأناها -.

قادتني لهذا الكتاب قراءات أخيرة للأدب التركي الحديث، وهو أدب لازال يبحث عن هويته، ما بين أرثه العثماني الطويل، وتغربه الحالي، بحيث صار المثقف التركي أكثر من يعاني في رأيي من التمزق والتشتت ما بين الشرق والغرب.

يتناول كواترت في كتابه هذا وكما هو واضح من العنوان فترة قصيرة من تاريخ الدولة العثمانية والتي امتدت من 1300 م تقريبا ً بظهور عثمان الأول وحتى زوالها في عام 1924 م، ولكنه كما يتضح لنا من قراءة الكتاب يتوسع ليتحدث عن الدولة العثمانية منذ نشوئها وانتصاراتها الكبيرة وصولا ً إلى فشل حصار فيينا 1683 م، ثم الحقبة التي تلت ذلك إلى سقوطها وزوالها، ثم يتناول في عدد من الفصول الاقتصاد والمجتمع العثمانيين، بالإضافة إلى فصلين أخيرين يتصدى فيهما للصراعات التي ظهرت بين الطوائف في آخر أيام الدولة، والإرث الذي تركه العثمانيون.

الكتاب مختصر وخفيف جدا ً، ومناسب كقراءة مبسطة وأولية عن الدولة العثمانية، ويتميز بحياده، وتفنيده لبعض المزاعم والافتراءات التي ألصقت بالدولة العثمانية من قبل بعض رعاياها السابقين في البلقان، حيث كانت الدولة العثمانية في أقصى امتدادها تسيطر في أوروبا فقط على ما يشكل الآن دول ( اليونان، مقدونيا، رومانيا، البوسنة والهرسك، كوسوفو، ألبانيا، صربيا، كرواتيا، الجبل الأسود، هنغاريا، بلغاريا، وأجزاء من النمسا إلى أسوار فيينا).

[João Vaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Tirando a parte dos sultões com as suas chapeletas absolutamente fab, consta ter existido um império que durou por mais de seis séculos sobre o qual eu sabia cheta! Mas ao que parece a culpa não é só minha; tal é o preconceito cultural tanto dos seus Estados sucessores como nosso também (patente no despeito europeu face à integração turca na UE). Mas bene, ao menos deu para perceber a mescla balcã e parte dos recrudescentes conflitos religiosos no médio oriente!

Mas mais sobre o nosso Portugalinho: e pensar que esses Aladinos andavam atrás de nós por termos tido o Génio de inaugurar rotas comerciais com as Índias via mar - bem lhes estragámos o negócio! Ahah seus safados!, entupam-se de kebabs de malaguetas!

[Nisreen Rajab · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book speaks no good about this era.The author tried out sorting every thing bad about them and compiled it in a book to ruin the image of the Islamic history.I do accept that the ottoman empire had lots of blunders committed in its time, but it doesnt give the author the right to hide the other good aspects of this empire ! In short ,the book is very boring and deficient.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, with nice line of the facts and actually easy to read for a history book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciated all of the facets explored. Language was clear without being dull or too dry. Could have used more small stories, as these were the best parts.

[Efrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osmanlı tarihi konusunda, benim gibi zırcahil denilebilecek birisi için bile okuması epey zevkli bir kitaptı. Anlayabildiğim kadarıyle Donald Quataert'in kitabı yazmaktaki temel amacı, ABD'de çalıştığı üniversitedeki öğrencilerinin kafasındaki oryantalist önyargıları yıkmak ve onlar için giriş niteliğinde iyi bir ders kitabı ortaya çıkarmak. Kitabın belki de eleştirilecek yegane tarafı da bu noktada ortaya çıkıyor. Yazar Osmanlı'ya dair önyargıları yıkmaya çalışırken, övgülerini de biraz abartıyor yer yer.
Kitaba dair birkaç temel nokta önemli. Birincisi, Quataert bizi saray ve çevresine sıkışmış bir anlatıya hapsetmiyor. Osmanlı'daki günlük hayata, tarımın dönüşümüne, cemaatler arası ilişkilere dair de çokça renkli detaylar veriyor. İkincisi, Osmanlı'yı kendine özgü ve içine kapalı bir devlet/toplum olarak düşünmek yerine, onu da küresel dinamiklerin ve dönüşümlerin çerçevesinde düşünmek gerektiğini iddia ediyor. Bence son olarak önemli bir nokta da, Osmanlı toplum yaşamında dinin ve cemaatleşmenin tek belirleyen olmadığı yönündeki uyarı. Zaten bu at gözlüğünü çıkarınca, sınıfsal çelişkisiyle, kadın erkek ilişkileriyle çok daha renkli ve dinamik bir toplumla karşılaşıyoruz.

[Giorgia ジョルジャ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per il meme e il sudore va valutato.

[Carlisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is a lot shorter than the title suggests. Gives you the tip of the iceberg for a range of topics so you can dive deeper in the future. It’s not a deep dive or cohesive central argument. It’s a super brief academic survey of key themes that challenge stereotypes and presumptions. So not for all readers necessarily! Standouts were the chapters on the economy and inter communal cooperation.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun fact- I read this and completely forgot about it. I kept looking for it in my 2024 review and just realized I never put it in my Goodreads

[O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice to see a book that concentrates on political, economical and social processes rather than go through the list of sultans and their endless military adventures. Quataert presents a balanced narrative about the final centuries of the Ottoman Empire. About as informative as such a short book could be on this complicated topic.

Some major takeaway points:

- The Ottoman Empire underwent a process of reformation during the 19th and early 20th century that might have put it on a stable footing if it hadn't been decisively broken in World War 1. It was no longer the "sick man of Europe" that it is often portrayed as.

- The losses of territory in the Balkans were mostly brought on by European great powers competing to take bites out of the Ottoman Empire. At the same time, they supported the continued existence of the Empire, for example intervening against Russia when they tried to take too much for themselves. The economies of the newly-founded Balkan states contracted as they were isolated from ages-old economical networks.

- During the conquest phase the Ottoman empire had a system of rotating officials who collected taxes for the Sultan. As conquest slowed down, the officials became rooted and could stay as lifetime administrators of one area. This increased their local ties and made them more autonomous from the central state. In the early 18th century the state started selling off lifetime tax farming rights (malikane), which further accelerated the decentralization.

- Ottoman international trade multiplied during the 19th century, but to a much smaller extent than in the colonial powers. Most of the population remained engaged in agriculture. Manufacturing expanded, but was hampered by a lack of capital. Ottoman officials were reluctant to borrow money from the great powers, but were forced to do so to fund wars in the middle of the 19th century. This led to an uncontrollable spiral of loans, eventually resulting in default and the creation of an Ottoman Public Debt Administration which sapped the Empire of important tax income. On the other hand, the Debt Administration created security that attracted vital capital investment from Europe.

- Religion was not the only important marker of social status in the Ottoman empire. Most subjects, Muslim or not, were farmers who lived in similar conditions regardless of their religious affiliation. Non-Muslim subjects were discriminated against in legal disputes against Muslims. Sometimes non-Muslims could request the protection of a Muslim court, whose decisions had precedence over those of other courts. For example, Islamic law was often more generous towards women when distributing inheritances. Therefore widows of deceased Christian men sometimes went to a Muslim court to get a larger part of the inheritance.

[Azimah Othman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the summer of 1983 school children lined the sidewalks of Vienna to see the museum exhibition as part of the celebration commemorating the 300th anniversary of the 2nd Ottoman siege of Vienna. To today's European general public, 1683 was the year they were saved from the alien Ottoman - the "unspeakable Turks", as they have been typecast.

In reality there is so much presence of the Ottomans in European culture that prompted Prof Donald Quataert (DQ) to write this book. The Prof iterates that at it's zenith, the Ottomans served as a model for qualities Europeans wished to have. Ottoman military and administrators' incorruptibility, discipline and obedience were an inspiration to monarchs, soldiers and statesmen. The Ottomans contributed coffee, tulips and smallpox inoculation. Western Europe and America owe much of their values to the Ottomans.

For me, the reading of a couple of books by Orhan Pamuk stirred my interest in the subject. Interestingly, the author made a special mention of Orhan Pamuk in this book.

The Ottomans led by Othman Ghazi [Ghazi means holy soldier...warrior of the Faith] arose at the turn of 13th century amidst the crumbling Byzantine state. At the same time the Mongols were also messing up in the Middle East thus pushing the nomadic Turks (Turkomans) westward. Their core values are simply pragmatism and flexibility. Their way of life Shamanism (when they later converted to Islam they still practised shaman rituals), economic dependence on animal raising, celebrate personal bravery and considerable freedom and mobility for noble women. However, like their brothers, the Mongols, leadership was by consensus, though democratic (in present term), it can result in fragmentation. Osman was just one of many leaders and he was not even the most powerful. There was so much confusion and disintegration in Anatolia and the Balkan at that time.

Nevertheless, success did not depend on luck alone. As it was with other dynasties, among others, the Ottomans depended on male heirs and women in marriages to consolidate power. Hence, I recall the function of the harem from my reading of the Mughal Empire..... Over the centuries, the locus of political powers would shift from central to the Sultanic household, viziers, pashas etc. and to the street.............

For an empire that stretched across a vast area and for centuries long, I would say that it is has a very complicated history. DQ describes the Ottomans' ruling methods, economy, culture, society and legacies I thought the author has been fair in his writing. I noticed he mentions Cemal Pasha, thats Kemal Ataturk to most of us, just once in the book .............

If the Ottomans had not allied themselves with the Germans during the WW, I wonder how different the ME would be now.

[João Pedro Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The empire’s fall was not only the outcome of war, but of long-standing structural weaknesses.”

PT | EN

Donald Quataert apresenta nesta obra uma visão abrangente sobre a ascensão, desenvolvimento e queda de um dos maiores impérios da história: o Império Otomano. Em vez de seguir uma linha cronológica clássica, o autor opta por estruturar o livro em capítulos temáticos, cada um dedicado a aspetos específicos da vida no império. Assim, em vez de uma narrativa linear desde o século XIV até à sua dissolução em 1922, o leitor encontra análises sobre agricultura, economia, sociedade, religião, cultura e estrutura política. Esta opção torna a leitura mais fluida para quem procura compreender a diversidade de realidades que coexistiam sob domínio otomano.

Nos primeiros capítulos, Quataert destaca a complexidade administrativa do império e a sua capacidade de integrar diferentes povos, religiões e tradições sob um mesmo sistema político. Ao abordar temas como a agricultura e a organização social, o autor mostra como os otomanos criaram redes económicas e culturais que ligavam regiões desde os Balcãs até ao Médio Oriente. A cultura otomana, marcada por uma fusão entre influências islâmicas, turcas e mediterrânicas, surge como um dos pontos altos da análise. É uma abordagem que ajuda o leitor a perceber o papel do império como ponte entre o Oriente e o Ocidente.

O livro prossegue explorando a vida quotidiana e a relação entre governantes e governados. Questões como o estatuto das minorias religiosas, a posição da mulher, os avanços tecnológicos e a integração de diferentes tradições são desenvolvidas com detalhe. Quataert mostra que, apesar de ser um império marcado por forte centralização, havia espaço para adaptações locais e para a manutenção de identidades culturais diversas. No entanto, o autor apresenta essa diversidade frequentemente como sinal de tolerância e equilíbrio, omitindo por vezes os aspetos mais duros da dominação imperial.

É precisamente aqui que se encontra uma das maiores fragilidades da obra. Nota-se uma inclinação do autor em minimizar ou branquear os efeitos negativos da ocupação otomana nos povos dominados. O peso da repressão política, as desigualdades sociais, os conflitos étnicos e religiosos e o carácter frequentemente opressivo da administração imperial são tratados de forma suave. Para Quataert, muitas das tensões independentistas só teriam surgido devido ao desfecho da Primeira Guerra Mundial, ignorando-se séculos de resistência local e sentimentos de identidade próprios que já estavam em desenvolvimento.

Dessa forma, o livro deve ser lido mais como uma introdução temática e académica ao funcionamento interno do Império Otomano do que como uma explicação sólida das razões da sua queda. Quem procurar compreender os fatores profundos que levaram ao colapso imperial, desde os desafios internos até à pressão das potências europeias,terá de recorrer a outras obras mais críticas e menos complacentes. A análise de Quataert, apesar de detalhada e útil, acaba por ser incompleta e enviesada.

Ainda assim, O Império Otomano é uma leitura recomendável para quem deseja conhecer melhor a riqueza cultural, social e económica de um império que marcou profundamente a história do Mediterrâneo, do Médio Oriente e da Europa de Leste. É uma obra clara, acessível e bem estruturada, mas que deve ser acompanhada de uma leitura crítica.
Avaliação: 3/5.

⸻
EN

Donald Quataert offers a broad overview of the rise, development, and fall of one of history’s greatest empires: the Ottoman Empire. Rather than following a chronological narrative, the book is organised thematically, with chapters dedicated to key aspects of imperial life. Instead of moving century by century from the 14th century to the empire’s dissolution in 1922, the reader is presented with analyses of agriculture, society, religion, economy, culture, and governance. This structure makes the book highly accessible for readers interested in understanding the diverse realities within Ottoman rule.

The author highlights the empire’s administrative complexity and its capacity to incorporate multiple peoples, faiths, and traditions within a centralised framework. By examining agriculture, trade, and cultural exchange, Quataert illustrates how the Ottomans forged vast networks linking the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Middle East. Ottoman culture, shaped by a blend of Islamic, Turkish, and Mediterranean influences, is shown as a dynamic and unifying element. This thematic approach underscores the empire’s role as a bridge between East and West.

Quataert also devotes attention to everyday life, social hierarchies, gender roles, and minority communities. He portrays the Ottoman system as adaptable and inclusive, with space for local traditions to coexist under imperial authority. Yet, this perspective sometimes borders on idealisation, presenting coexistence as more harmonious than historical evidence might suggest. Issues such as political repression, ethnic strife, and inequality are acknowledged but often softened.

This tendency reveals the book’s main weakness: it seems to downplay or whitewash the negative consequences of Ottoman domination. The harshness of imperial rule, the struggles of subject peoples, and centuries of resistance are given less attention than they merit. Quataert even implies that many independence movements would not have arisen without the disruptions of World War I, overlooking long-standing grievances and aspirations among the empire’s diverse populations.

Thus, the book should be read more as an introduction to the internal workings and structures of the Ottoman Empire than as an explanation for its decline. Readers looking for a critical examination of the empire’s fall, shaped by both internal weaknesses and external pressures, will need to consult other, less indulgent works. While informative and detailed, Quataert’s account falls short of being a balanced interpretation.

Nonetheless, The Ottoman Empire is a valuable starting point for those seeking to understand the cultural and social richness of a polity that shaped the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe for centuries. It is well-written, structured, and academically rigorous, but best approached with a critical eye.
Rating 3/5.

[İbrahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitabın ilk yüz sayfasının yazarının belirttiği zaman diliminin gerisine çok çalakalem değiniyor bence bu yüzden odağını yitiriyor. yine de Osmanlının son dönemine dair kısa bir giriş için Zürcher'den evladır. Bu kitap yabancı lisans öğrencilerine hitap etmektedir. Bu bir açıdan Türk okuyuculara çok içten ve sıcak gelebilecek Osmanlı toplumsal tiplerinin ve gündelik hayatlarına dair kısa malumatların kitabın en faydalı artısı olduğunu düşünüyorum çünkü hem çok etnisiteli hem de çok dinli bir imparatorluğu Türk zihninin hakkıyla algılaması gerçekten çok zor. Ulus devletin bir norm olduğu bir zamanda binlerce istisna üzerine inşa edilmiş bir nizamı kavramak çok zor.

[Krisley Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

O autor abre com a origem, expansão e consolidação do império entre 1300-1683, dando uma base geral ao leitor, para depois entrar no período alvo de 1700-1922.

O livro não é uma descrição cronológica dos principais eventos, nem foca em relatar as contrações e dilatações das fronteiras do império. O objetivo aqui é mostrar o sistema de poder, as relações políticas, a economia, a cultura e o modo de vida dos otomanos ao longo dos séculos.

Boa leitura, recomendada para quem procura uma introdução ao Império Otomano.

[Renato · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interessante a forma como expõe concisamente a história das relações sociais, económicas e políticas do império otomano. No entanto, a meu ver, expõe na com demasiada luminosidade. É acrítico e quase não faz comparações com outras regiões do mundo, o que torna um livro de história insípido. Também não dá qualquer explicação para o facto de um império tão vasto e populoso, às portas da Europa, principalmente apartir do séc 18 ter permanecido numa estagnação completa, tanto a nível cultural como científico.

[آية · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Ottoman history aimed at an undergraduate/general reading level. Quataert aims to combat several misconceptions among Western literature/perspectives about the Ottomans, and is therefore shies away from criticism even when it might be justified. However, it is very informative and discusses several aspects of the Ottoman Empire from 1700-1922, including governance, economy, religion, society, and culture. I would recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about Ottoman history.

[Elli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το περιεχόμενο της εξιστόρησης ήταν γενικόλογο και επαναλαμβανόμενο. Αν και ο συγγραφέας είχε την βούληση να ξεπεράσει τις οριενταλιστικές θεάσεις της οθωμανικής αυτοκρατορίας, δεν ήταν τόσο διορατική η προσέγγισή του στα θέματα που έπιανε. Θετικό στοιχείο ότι στο τέλος κάθε κεφαλαίου υπάρχει προτεινόμενη βιβλιογραφία, οπότε μπορείς να συνεχίσεις την αναζήτηση και από εκεί.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2019, #8a

Perfectly adequate introductory history to the place and the period, with a lot of focus on the multi-national nature of the Empire. Learned some new things about how the European powers stirred up nationalisms and religious competition.

[Shane Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor book because of the author's blind worship of the Ottoman empire and his diminishing of the suffering of people under this aggressive Turkish govt.......

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read and over view over the end of the Ottoman Empire. It even goes into a few topics I didn't find too interesting, but others might like fashion, society norms, culture, etc

[Furkan Dyrrachium · Rating 2 out of 5]

Konular yüzeysel anlatılmış. Osmanlı tarihini ilk defa okuyan biri için yararlı bilgiler barındırıyor. Fakat konulara aşina biri için ekstra bilgi veya detay bilgi bulmak zor.

[Isabel Lopes]

Emprestado ao Rui

[مي · Rating 5 out of 5]

وجدت الكتاب صوتيا مجانا على تطبيق منطوق للكتب الصوتية

[Y Kanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ottoman Empire was never a “Turkish” empire as many think. It was a multi ethnic empire containing peoples of all background in its hierarchy and various classes. The state employed people of all the backgrounds and beliefs in the realm. The book demonstrates how the Ottomans have been judged wrongly, the empire was by far one of the most tolerant and progressive of its time being a uniting point among many of its subjects. As the author explains, its collapse was far more a external factor than a internal one, as nationalisms managed to accommodate themselves within the empire.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book does not follow a chronological path to discussing the last two centuries of history. The author views the Ottoman Empire not as Islamist but as multi-ethnic and multi-religious. While this not entirely wrong, it is does dismiss important events in the empire. The book focuses much more on the social aspects of the empire and neglects the political. Because of this, there is not a detailed discussion of the CUP, Tanzimat, etc. I also was disappointed with the lack of discussion of Abdulhamid II's reign and his attempt to build pan-Islamic consensus in the empire. The book does provide an excellent overview of how Ottoman peoples lived during the empire's last centuries