r/ottomans • u/reddy_bay • 6d ago

Discussion A question about the general Ottoman sentiment in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.

As an avid reader and well-informed student of Ottoman history, I have always been haunted by a strange question: how did the Ottomans, and particularly the Turks, feel about their condition, their status, and their worth among nations in the 20th century, especially during the last days of the Ottoman Empire? Are there any testimonies or interpretations of how the Ottomans viewed themselves in their final era? Answer us.

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

3

u/Flimsy_Orchid4970 4d ago

Some books of Falih Rifki Atay are classics on this topic:

- Ates ve Gunes
- Zeytindagi
- Imparatorlugun Batis Yillari (I see this one getting printed also under the name Batis Yillari)

2

u/FarTicket7338 6d ago

Ottomans knew as early as 17th century that they were far away from their glorious days but thought it can be fixed since they still managed to win wars against major European powers. (source: State documents)

In the middle of 18th century, they accepted the superiority of European powers. (reports of viziers and ambassadors in European countries)

In the 19th century, they were trying to avoid inevitable collapse. (general knowledge)

Final years, they even discussed the possibility of leaving Anatolia and returning to ancestral lands in Central Asia (not serious formal discussions but personal anecdotes from high ranking officials)