Conflicting Loyalties in the Balkans: The Great Powers, the Ottoman Empire and Nation-building (Library of Ottoman Studies)

The collapse of the Ottoman Empire resulted in the birth of new nation states in the Balkans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. __Conflicting Loyalties in the Balkans__ explores the effects of the Ottoman reform era upon Balkan societies in order to shed much-needed light on the history of this region during the early nation-state period. Focusing on developments which go beyond the over-researched dimension of political or elite discourse, this book offers insights into the complex ways in which Balkan societies were transformed from different regional viewpoints -- focusing on the interplay between Great Power politics, state reforms and social dynamics on the ground. A thorough investigation of the conflicting loyalties which has shaped the political framework of the post-Ottoman Balkans, this is an important and fascinating insight into the logic and contradictions of daily life in a crucial period of Balkan and Ottoman history. The Collapse Of The Ottoman Empire Resulted In The Birth Of New Nation States In The Balkans In The Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries. Conflicting Loyalties In The Balkans Explores The Effects Of The Ottoman Reform Era Upon Balkan Societies In Order To Shed Much-needed Light On The History Of This Region During The Early Nation-state Period. Focusing On Developments Which Go Beyond The Over-researched Dimension Of Political Or Elite Discourse, This Book Offers Insights Into The Complex Ways In Which Balkan Societies Were Transformed From Different Regional Viewpoints -- Focusing On The Interplay Between Great Power Politics, State Reforms And Social Dynamics On The Ground. A Thorough Investigation Of The Conflicting Loyalties Which Has Shaped The Political Framework Of The Post-ottoman Balkans, This Is An Important And Fascinating Insight Into The Logic And Contradictions Of Daily Life In A Crucial Period Of Balkan And Ottoman History. Introduction: Social (dis-)integration And The National Turn In The Late- And Post-ottoman Balkans: Towards An Analytical Framework / Hannes Grandits, Nathalie Claer And Robert Pichler -- Vagrants, Prostitutes And Bosnians: Making And Unmaking European Supremacy In Ottoman Southeast Europe / Malte Fuhrmann -- Schools For The Destruction Of Society: School Propaganda In Bitola 1860-1912 / Bernard Levy -- Amateurs As Nation-builders? On The Significance Of Associations For The Formation And Nationalization Of Greek Society In The Nineteenth Century / Ioannis Zelepos -- The Dimention Of Confessionalisation In The Ottoman Balkans At The Time Of Nationalisms / Nathalie Clayer -- Violent Social Disintigration: A Nation-building Strategy In Late-ottoman Herzegovina / Hannes Grandits -- In The Service Of The Sultan, In The Service Of The Revolution: Local Bulgarian Notables In The 1870s / Alexander Vezenkov -- El Dover El Mas Santo. The Mobilization Of The Ottoman Jewish Population During The Balkan Wars (1912-1913) / Eyal Ginio -- Catholic Albanian Warriors For The Sultan In Late-ottoman Kosovo: The Fandi As A Socio-professional Group And Their Identity Patterns / Eva Anne Frantz -- Mission, Power And Violence: Serbia's National Turn / Natasa Miskovic -- Nationalism At (symbolic) Work: Social Disintegration And The National Turn In Melnik And Standimaka / Galia Valtchinova. Edited By Hannes Grandits, Nathalie Clayer And Robert Pichler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [251]-338) And Index. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire resulted in the birth of new nation states in the Balkans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Conflicting Loyalties in the Balkans offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of the emerging national order in the Balkans by exploring the effects of the Ottoman reform era upon its societies - shedding much-needed light on the history of the region during the early nation-state period. Focusing on developments which go beyond the over-researched dimension of political or elite discourse, this book offers insights into the complex ways in which Balkan societies were transformed - bringing to light the interplay between Great Power politics, state reforms and social dynamics on the ground from a variety of regional viewpoints. More broadly, it examines the shifting system of power at work within the Empire in the context of everyday realities and political allegiances. The authors seek to identify how the policies of the Ottoman state, the Great Powers and the new nation-states were implemented across its territories in line with competing social, economic and political interests. They show how a policy of ‘Europeanisation', rather than being a reality, often served as a label for giving legitimacy to a variety of agencies. Further, the authors elaborate on the impact of violence as a vital strategic instrument in achieving political goals. Providing a nuanced view of the key political actors who navigated the tumultuous process of modernisation across the regions of the Empire, this is a thorough investigation of the conflicting loyalties which have shaped the political framework of the post-Ottoman Balkans. It also examines the role of economic reform, ethnic violence and competing loyalties in the Empire's preamble to collapse and beyond. This is an important and fascinating insight into the logic and contradictions of daily life in a crucial period of Balkan and Ottoman history.