Balkan Nationalism vs Ottomanism

Overview

Balkan nationalism is the movement for self-determination by ethnic groups within the Balkans, while Ottomanism was the state ideology of the Ottoman Empire to maintain control over its diverse peoples.

Background: The Ottoman Empire & Rising Tensions

Balkans revolts were happening under the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, there was a large population of Christians, Muslims and, different ethnic groups. As the Empire declined in the 18th and 19th centuries, many Balkan communities, especially the Christian peasants and emerging national elites, showed more and more dissatisfaction.

Historians believe that resentment developed as local Ottoman officials often became corrupt, abusive and economically exploitative, creating social inequality. Groups not in power wanted more control over their own affairs. Greater economic pressure has resulted from the ongoing region instability and discriminative tax laws.

The growing Ottoman weakness and the Balkan nationalists' activities until the 1912-1913 war created a political climate called the 'Balkan Powder Keg'.

The Rise of Balkan Nationalism

Many peoples of the Balkans responded to the growing ideas of ethnic identity and cultural revival. Ideas of the Enlightenment like natural rights, self-determination and equality all contributed to the formation of various nationalist movements. The Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians, Romanians, Montenegrins, and Albanians wanted independence/unification on linguistic, religious, and cultural grounds.

This kind of nationalism claimed that the old imperial system was no more. Each nationality was worthy of its own state. Revolt and political plans were legitimatized by Enlightenment ideas about liberty and individual rights.

The Greek War of Independence (Example Revolution)

One of the most powerful uprisings was the Greek war of independence. The Greeks revolted against the Ottomans under the influence of nationalism and the Enlightenment.

Major events:

1821: Alexander Ypsilantis and the Filiki Etaireia spark initial revolts.
Uprisings spread across the Peloponnese, Greek islands, and northern territories.
1822: Greek revolutionaries issue a declaration of independence.
1827: Britain, France, and Russia destroy the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at the Battle of Navarino, turning the tide of the war.

1832: International recognition of Greek independence.

Key figures:
Alexander Ypsilantis
Leaders of the Filiki Etaireia
European powers supporting intervention
Ottoman military leadership opposition

The Greek example sparked further nationalist activism across the Balkans.

Ottomanism: The Empire’s Response

As nationalism rose, Ottoman intellectuals and reformers advocated Ottomanism, a counter political ideology that aimed to bring all subjects, Muslim and non-Muslim together in one and the same identity. Ottomanism tried to prevent the Empire from breaking apart by providing the different ethnic groups with equal citizenship, legal equality, and a sense of belonging.

The goals had a clear message of legal equality and civic identity reminiscent of Enlightenment concepts, but the rapidly growing appeal of nationalism made its recognition increasingly difficult.

Neo-Ottomanism is modern and political and encourages using the Empire’s cultural and historical memory to strengthen Turkish identity and guide regional policy.

Legacy & Global Impact

The success of Greek independence and subsequent Balkan revolts permanently changed Southeast Europe. As the Ottoman Empire lost a lot of its territory, other nations such as Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro fragmented into existence in the Balkans .

The Ottoman influence began to decline which resulted in competition among European powers which increased the instability that triggered World War I. In the long term, the competition between Balkan nationalism and Ottomanism increased the debates around balkan identity, regional borders, and historical facts. At this moment, Turkey is witnessing the revival of Ottomanist ideas, called neo-Ottomanism, which continues to impact today’s foreign policy and regional politics.

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