Ottoman Wars, 1700-1870: An Empire Besieged (Modern Wars In Perspective)

The Ottoman Empire had reached the peak of its power, presenting a very real threat to Western Christendom when in 1683 it suffered its first major defeat, at the Siege of Vienna. Tracing the empire's conflicts of the next two centuries, The Ottoman Wars: An Empire Besieged examines the social transformation of the Ottoman military system in an era of global imperialismSpanning more than a century of conflict, the book considers challenges the Ottoman government faced from both neighbouring Catholic Habsburg Austria and Orthodox Romanov Russia, as well as - arguably more impo.;Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; List of plates; Acknowledgements; A note on place names and foreign terms; Chronology; Maps; Introduction; Comparative empires; The northern defensive line; Military reform; The outline of the narrative; Eastern questions and new Ottomans; 1. The political map of Central and Eastern Europe circa 1700; The geopolitics of the Danube; Members of the Holy League; The Principalities; Ottomans and Tatars; Eastern border strategies; Imperial aims: Ottoman, Habsburg, Romanov; Revolts in Istanbul circa 1700. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of plates Acknowledgements A note on place names and foreign terms Chronology Maps Introduction Comparative empires The northern defensive line Military reform The outline of the narrative Eastern questions and new Ottomans 1. The political map of Central and Eastern Europe circa 1700 The geopolitics of the Danube Members of the Holy League The Principalities Ottomans and Tatars Eastern border strategies Imperial aims: Ottoman, Habsburg, Romanov Revolts in Istanbul circa 1700. Janissary loyalties and ethos2. The Ottoman system Rethinking imperial military history The nature and composition of the Janissaries Janissary command and discipline Provincial forces: sipahis Frontier defence systems Survival strategies The northern frontier The southern frontier: Egypt and the Arab Provinces Auxiliary forces: the religious factor Realities of Danube warfare Logistics of warfare on the Danube: the Belgrade-Azov fortress line Campaign financing 3. From Prut to Belgrade: illusions of success and failure The political setting 1700-50 The Ottoman case. Austria's position and ambitionsRussian expansion and the pre-modern impasse Centralisation of the control of violence The consolidation of Austrian arms Origins of the Prut campaign On the march -- Prut 1711 The recovery of the Morea Austria enters the war Renewal of Ottoman-Habsburg conflict on the Danube, 1736-39: stalemate Uneasy alliances Ochakov and the Crimea, 1737 The Bosnian army under Governor Ali Pasha Ottoman victory at Orsova, 1738 Ottoman military strengths and weaknesses 4. The Austrian-Russian-Ottoman Danube waltz, 1768-92 Overview 1768-92 and the Ottoman Empire. 1768-92 and the Russians1768-92 and the Austrians 1768-74: Russian miracle, Ottoman debacle, and Austrian test The centre of the conflict: the lower Danube River Declaration and preparations for war, 1768 The collapse of the Ottoman supply system The year of disasters: Çeşme and Kartal (1770) Peace negotiations and the Crimea Austro-Russian-Ottoman confrontations 1787-92 Peace -- lessons learned 5. Selim III and the new order (Nizâm-ı Cedid) Introduction: crisis and reform The problem Economic reforms New military organisations Ottoman military reform prior to Selim III. Military reforms under Selim IIIInitial reforms Gunpowder and arms Creation of a new army, the Nizâm-ı Cedid The new order expands beyond Istanbul Foreign advisers and reform of the Artillery Corps 6. The internal and external challenges to Selim III Introduction: provincial allies and colonial powers Local Ottoman elites: provincial loyalty and betrayal Caniklizades in North Anatolia Vidin and Osman Pasvanoğlu Radical diplomacy Pre-1793 diplomacy First embassies to Europe Napoleon's invasion of Egypt Pre-Napoleonic Egypt French evacuation of Egypt Imperial impressions. The Ottoman Empire had reached the peak of its power, presenting a very real threat to Western Christendom when in 1683 it suffered its first major defeat, at the Siege of Vienna. Tracing the empire’s conflicts of the next two centuries, The Ottoman Wars: An Empire Besieged examines the social transformation of the Ottoman military system in an era of global imperialism Spanning more than a century of conflict, the book considers challenges the Ottoman government faced from both neighbouring Catholic Habsburg Austria and Orthodox Romanov Russia, as well as - arguably more importantly – from military, intellectual and religious groups within the empire. Using close analysis of select campaigns, Virginia Aksan first discusses the Ottoman Empire’s changing internal military context, before addressing the modernized regimental organisation under Sultan Mahmud II after 1826. Featuring illustrations and maps, many of which have never been published before, The Ottoman Wars draws on previously untapped source material to provide an original and compelling account of an empire near financial and societal collapse, and the successes and failures of a military system under siege. The book is a fascinating study of the decline of an international power, raising questions about the influence of culture on warfare. This Book Examines The Social Transformation Of The Ottoman Military System In An Era Of Global Imperialism. Using Close Analysis Of Select Campaigns, Aksan Discusses The Ottoman Empire's Changing Internal Military Context, Before Addressing The Modernized Regimental Organisation Under Sultan Mahmud Ii After 1826. Featuring Illustrations And Maps, Many Of Which Have Never Been Published Before, This Book Draws On Previously Untapped Source Material To Provide An Original Account Of An Empire Nearing Financial And Societal Collapse, And The Successes And Failures Of A Military System Under Siege. The Book Is A Study Of The Decline Of An International Power, Raising Questions About The Influence Of Culture On Warfare.--jacket. The Political Map Of Central And Eastern Europe Circa 1700 -- The Ottoman System -- From Prut To Belgrade: Illusions Of Success And Failure -- The Austrian -russian -ottoman Danube Waltz, 1768-92 -- Selim Iii And The New Order (nizâm-ı Cedid) -- The Internal And External Challenges To Selim Iii -- Mahmud Ii And The New Absolutism -- The Auspicious Occasion And Its Consequences -- An Empire Returns To War -- From Tanzimat To Crimean War -- Completing The Northern Arc. Virginia H. Aksan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [522]-558) And Index. This book provides an account of the Ottoman Wars against the backdrop of local context and through the profiles of key figures. Growing interest in the history of the Middle East and imperial history as people want to know about the historical background to current affairs Brings to life the characters who actually fought in these wars, from significant Ottoman figures to the common recruit Uses many previously neglected manuscripts, texts, illustrations and maps to provide a unique account of the wars There are no other books on this subject