1. Decline of the Ottoman Empire:
- The Ottoman Empire, once a formidable power, experienced significant decline during this period. Internal problems, such as weak central authority, ethnic conflicts, and economic stagnation, contributed to its gradual weakening.
2. European Intervention and Influence:
- European powers, particularly Britain, France, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, sought to exert their influence over the declining Ottoman Empire. They interfered in internal affairs, supported rival factions, and engaged in diplomatic maneuvering to gain political and economic advantages.
3. Capitulations and Economic Concessions:
- European states secured special privileges and economic concessions from the Ottoman government through a series of treaties known as "Capitulations." These agreements gave European merchants and businesses favorable trade terms, tax exemptions, and legal protections.
4. Ottoman Reforms:
- Faced with internal challenges and external pressure, the Ottoman Empire undertook several reform efforts, such as the Tanzimat reforms and the Young Turk Revolution, to modernize and strengthen the state. These reforms aimed to address administrative inefficiencies, improve governance, and promote equality among citizens.
5. Nationalist Movements:
- The decline of the Ottoman Empire also led to the rise of nationalist movements among its subject populations, including Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians, and Arabs. These movements sought independence or autonomy from Ottoman rule.
6. Great Power Rivalries:
- European states often supported different nationalist movements in the Ottoman Empire to weaken their rivals. This power struggle contributed to regional instability and increased the risk of war.
7. Crimean War (1853-1856):
- The Crimean War was a major conflict between the Russian Empire and an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The war prevented Russia from expanding its influence in the Balkans and solidified the Ottoman Empire's position for a time.
8. Berlin Congress (1878):
- The Berlin Congress was held after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. It resulted in significant territorial changes in the Balkans, with the decline of the Ottoman Empire leading to the creation of new nation-states.
9. Young Turk Revolution (1908):
- In 1908, a group of reformist military officers staged a coup and established a constitutional monarchy in the Ottoman Empire. This revolution sparked hope for political and social change but faced challenges in implementing reforms and maintaining stability.
10. World War I (1914-1918):
- The Ottoman Empire sided with Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I. The war exposed the empire's vulnerabilities, leading to its eventual defeat and the dissolution of its territories.
In conclusion, the period from 1815 to 1914 witnessed a complex relationship between European states and the Ottoman Empire characterized by power struggles, economic interests, and the decline of the Ottoman Empire amidst rising nationalist movements and European intervention.