Late Ottoman History

Undergraduate

This seminar explores the Ottoman Empire from the late 18th century until its dissolution in 1923. It examines the Late Ottoman period through a historical lens, focusing on the political, social, economic, and cultural transformations that shaped the empire from the failed reforms of Selim III and the Greek Revolution, to the Tanzimat reforms, the autocracy of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and the regime of the Young Turks. The course analyzes the origins, impact, and legacy of these changes, reconstructing the contours of Ottoman statehood, society, and culture. It pays particular attention to the rise of competing imperialisms and nationalisms among the empire’s diverse populations, as well as the experiences of ethno-religious minorities. Special focus is given to the emergence of ethnonational majoritarianism and its radicalization, which culminated in genocide and the compulsory population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The seminar aims to familiarize students with the key chronology, events, and figures of the Late Ottoman Empire, while introducing them to current historiographical debates, conceptual frameworks, and methodological approaches. WR , HU W 1:30pm-3:25pm