Sultan Abdul Mejid (1839-1861)
This exercise addresses the following course objectives:
• To learn methods of historical inquiry and ethical use of the source material
• To develop written and oral expression skills
• To gain factual knowledge (names, dates, issues etc.)
.
In this assignment we will particularly learn;
i. Analyzing an archival document by looking into its larger historical context
ii. Contextualizing the 19th century reforms in the Ottoman Empire
iii. The Modernization process of the Middle East
Please analyze the attached text by taking the steps outlined below;
1. Reread BENJAMIN 25-51 and learn about “Working with Historical Evidence”
2. Reread the entire piece assigned for Oct. 22 (CLEVELAND 61-92), and especially the parts about the Crimean War and familiarize yourself with the nineteenth century reforms in the Ottoman Empire.
3. Write a summative analysis of the document with help from some of the questions below. You don’t have to answer these questions. You may develop you own questions.
• What is the historical context of the document? What prompted the Ottoman Sultan to issue this rescript?
• What benefits were the sultan’s non-Muslim subjects to receive as a result of this proclamation?
• What efforts were to be made to improve the empire’s system of justice?
• To what extent does this document extend meaningful political rights to the sultan’s subjects?
• In what respects does this document reflect Western liberal ideals of individual freedom and religious toleration?
Weak Essay:
• Descriptive essay with major grammatical, organizational and stylistic problems.
• Lacks discussion and reference to the course material or research findings.
WHY? And HOW do you substantiate and present your argument?
Examples:
• Wow, this is interesting!
• What (a simple historical fact) is unacceptable/ understandable.
• I always thought that (a fact contrary to those provided in the course material -lecture, readings and primary sources) but now I learnt that (repetition of a simple fact.)
Average Essay:
• Minor problems in grammar, organization and style.
• Offers fresh insights but lacks reference to or a discussion of the course material or research results.
HOW do you substantiate and better present your argument?
Example:
The (a fact in readings or in lecture) is the manifestation/result of (a general pattern covered in the course.) Similar developments are also observed in (another time or place.) What was different in the Ottoman Empire was the (a fresh point of view.) The commonalities/differences between these events suggest the heavy role of (a historical pattern, a social group or a system of thought) in (a historical development etc.)
Strong Essay:
• Flawless in terms of grammar, organization and style.
• Well-presented and substantiated argument with discussion of the course material, research results and particularly of a primary source.
• It integrates or even builds on the course material.
Example:
The (a fact in readings or in lecture) is the manifestation/result of (a general pattern covered in the course,) as explained by (a reading material, lecture notes.) However, the approach of (the author of a reading material or the instructor) diminishes the influence of (a historical pattern, a social group or a system of thought) in the formation of (another historical development.) Yet, as evidenced in (a primary source assigned in the course,) one can hardly ignore the effects of (a historical development or a social group on another one.)
EVALUATION RUBRIC
**********
**********
IMPERIAL RESCRIPT
Let it be done as herein set forth… It being now my desire to renew and enlarge still more the new Institutions ordained with the view of establishing a state of things conformable with the dignity of my empire and -…by the kind and friendly assistance of the Great Powers, my noble Allies, …The guarantees promised on our part by the Hatti-Humaioun of Gulhane, and in conformity with the Tanzimat, …are today confirmed and consolidated, and efficacious measures shall be taken in order that they may have their full and entire effect.
All the privileges and spiritual immunities granted by my ancestors from time immemorial, and at subsequent dates, to all Christian communities or other non-Muslim persuasions established in my empire, under my protection, shall be confirmed and maintained.
Every Christian or other non-Muslim community shall be bound within a fixed period, and with the concurrence of a commission composed of members of its own body, to proceed, with my high approbation and under the inspection of my Sublime Porte, to examine into its actual immunities and privileges, and to discuss and submit to my Sublime Porte the reforms required by the progress of civilization and of the age. The powers conceded to the Christian patriarchs and bishops by the Sultan Mehmed II and to his successors shall be made to harmonize with the new position which my generous and beneficent intentions insure to these communities….
As all forms of religion are and shall be freely professed in my dominions, no subject of my Empire shall be hindered in the exercise of the religion that he profess…No one shall be compelled to change their religion…and…all the subjects of my Empire, without distinction of nationality, shall be admissible to public employments… All the subjects of my empire, without distinction, shall be received into the civil and military schools of the government, if they otherwise satisfy the conditions as to age and examination which are specified in the regulations of the said schools. Moreover, every community is authorized to establish public schools of science, art, and industry. The property…of the different Christian ecclesiastics shall remain intact; the temporal administration of the Christian or other non-Muslim communities shall, however, be placed under the safeguard of an assembly to be chosen from among the members, both ecclesiastics and laymen, of the said communities.
Penal, correctional, and commercial laws, and rules of procedure for the Mixed Tribunals, shall be drawn up as soon as possible, and formed into a code…Proceedings shall be taken, for the reform of the penitentiary system…
All commercial, correctional, and criminal suits between Muslims and Christians, or other non-Muslim subjects, or between Christian or other non-Muslims of different sects, shall be referred to mixed tribunals.
The proceedings of these tribunals shall be public; the parties shall be confronted and shall produce their witnesses, whose testimony shall be received without distinction, upon an oath taken according to the religious law of each sect….
The organization of the police…shall be revised in such a manner as to give to all the peaceable subjects of my Empire the strongest guarantees for the safety both of their persons and property…Christian subjets, and those of other non-Muslim sects,…shall, as well as Muslims, be subject to the obligations of the Law of Recruitment (for military service). The principle of obtaining substitutes, or of purchasing exemption, shall be admitted.
Proceedings shall be takenfor a reform in the constitution of the Provincial and Communal Councils, in order to ensure fairness in the choice of the deputies of the Muslim, Christian, and other communities, and freedom of voting in the Councils…
As the laws regulating the purchase, sale, and disposal of real property are common to all the subjects of my empire, it shall be lawful for foreigners to possess landed property in my dominions…
The taxes are to be levied under the same denomination from all the subjects of my empire, without distinction of class or of religion. The most prompt and energetic means for remedying the abuses in collecting the taxes, and especially the tithes, shall be considered. The system of direct collections shall gradually, and as soon as possible, be substituted for the plan of farming in all the branches of the revenues of the state….
A special law having been already passed, which declares that the budget of the revenue and the expenditure of the state shall be drawn up and made known every year, the said law shall be most scrupulously observed….
The heads of each community and a delegate, designated by my Sublime Porte, shall be summoned to take part in the deliberations of the supreme council of justice on all occasions which might interest the generality of the subjects of my empire.
Steps shall be taken for the formation of banks and other similar institutions, so as to effect a reform in the monetary and financial system, as well as to create funds to be employed in augmenting the sources of the material wealth of my empire.
Everything that can impede commerce or agriculture shall be abolished. To accomplish these objects means shall be sought to profit by science, the art, and the funds of Europe, and thus gradually to execute them.
______________________________
Source:
Available at jspivey.wikispaces.com/file/view/IMPERIALRESCRIPT-1.doc