THE MODERNIZATION OF OTTOMAN DIPLOMACY IN THE TANZIMAT PERIOD

Abstract

In the nineteenth century, diplomacy became more important than ever before for the Ottoman Empire. Because of the weakness of the Empire, as compared to the great powers of Europe, defense of its territories and interests depended more on diplomacy and negotiation than on the use of arrned forees. Diplomacy was a defensiye weapon for the Sultan and the Sublime Porte in more than one way : it could heIp to avoid injury to the Empire; it could try to attract aid for the Empire; and it could try to persuade the European powers that the Empire deserved support from them because it was improving itself by means of a process of reforms and bringing itself closer to westem ways. Under the pressure of events, the Empire developed a diplomatic system that was more westem than the traditional OUoman methods. The Sultans had always used negotiators and embassies for dealings with other powers, but these had been temporary. From the time of Sultan Mahmud II the Empire sent out permanent ambassadors and ministers to reside in the capitals of other major states, just as the European powers did. Alsa in Mahmud Il's time the office of re'is efendi was change d into that of foreign minister, and after 1836 a more European-st yle ministry developed slowly under the minister's directian. Likewise a new sart of personnel was aUracted to the Foreign Ministry and to a considerable extent trained there, on the job; these were men who