The Role of Rulers in the Modernization of China and the Ottoman Empire: Empress Cixi and Sultan Abdülhamid II

Rahman Nurdun

Article Details

The Role of Rulers in the Modernization of China and the Ottoman Empire: Empress Cixi and Sultan Abdülhamid II

Authors:

Rahman Nurdun

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi

Journal:

Atatürk Yolu Dergisi Issue 75, pp.265-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331383

pISSN:

1303-5290

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In the late period of Chinas Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi 慈禧 and Sultan II. Abdelhamid of the Ottoman Empire exhibited significant differences in their approaches to the process of modernization. Despite receiving a feudal education, Cixi acknowledged the superiority of Western powers but pursued a limited modernization policy primarily aimed at preserving her power. In contrast, II. Abdelhamid, well-acquainted with the West, was a leader driven by a desire for modernization, swiftly implementing reforms. While Cixis political influence remained constrained, II. Abdelhamids determination facilitated a leap forward in the Ottoman modernization trajectory. However, both leaders faced international pressures and external interventions during their reigns, which influenced their modernization efforts. Consequently, Cixis cautious approach hindered Chinas modernization process, while II. Abdelhamids endeavours could not prevent the decline of the Ottoman Empire. This article examines how the leadership styles and policy choices of Cixi and II. Abdelhamid in the process of modernization impacted the historical trajectories of China and the Ottoman Empire.

 In the late period of Chinas Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi 慈禧 and Sultan II. Abdelhamid of the Ottoman Empire exhibited significant differences in their approaches to the process of modernization. Despite receiving a feudal education, Cixi acknowledged the superiority of Western powers but pursued a limited modernization policy primarily aimed at preserving her power. In contrast, II. Abdelhamid, well-acquainted with the West, was a leader driven by a desire for modernization, swiftly implementing reforms. While Cixis political influence remained constrained, II. Abdelhamids determination facilitated a leap forward in the Ottoman modernization trajectory. However, both leaders faced international pressures and external interventions during their reigns, which influenced their modernization efforts. Consequently, Cixis cautious approach hindered Chinas modernization process, while II. Abdelhamids endeavours could not prevent the decline of the Ottoman Empire. This article examines how the leadership styles and policy choices of Cixi and II. Abdelhamid in the process of modernization impacted the historical trajectories of China and the Ottoman Empire.

 In the late period of Chinas Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi 慈禧 and Sultan II. Abdelhamid of the Ottoman Empire exhibited significant differences in their approaches to the process of modernization. Despite receiving a feudal education, Cixi acknowledged the superiority of Western powers but pursued a limited modernization policy primarily aimed at preserving her power. In contrast, II. Abdelhamid, well-acquainted with the West, was a leader driven by a desire for modernization, swiftly implementing reforms. While Cixis political influence remained constrained, II. Abdelhamids determination facilitated a leap forward in the Ottoman modernization trajectory. However, both leaders faced international pressures and external interventions during their reigns, which influenced their modernization efforts. Consequently, Cixis cautious approach hindered Chinas modernization process, while II. Abdelhamids endeavours could not prevent the decline of the Ottoman Empire. This article examines how the leadership styles and policy choices of Cixi and II. Abdelhamid in the process of modernization impacted the historical trajectories of China and the Ottoman Empire.

 Çinin Qing Hanedanının son dönemlerinde İmparatoriçe Cixi 慈禧 ve Osmanlı İmparatorluğunun Sultanı II. Abdülhamitin yönetimleri, modernleşme süreçlerinde önemli farklılıklar sergilemiştir. Cixi, feodal eğitim almasına rağmen Batılı güçlerin üstünlüğünü fark etmiş, ancak kendi iktidarını koruma amacıyla sınırlı bir modernleşme politikası izlemiştir. II. Abdülhamit ise Batıyı tanıyan, modernleşme isteğiyle dolu bir lider olarak reformları hızla hayata geçirmiştir. Cixinin politik etkisi sınırlı kalırken, II. Abdülhamitin kararlılığı Osmanlının modernleşme yolunda sıçrama yapmasını sağlamıştır. Ancak, her iki liderin de dönemlerinde uluslararası baskılar ve dış müdahalelerle karşı karşıya kalmış olmaları, modernleşme süreçlerini etkilemiştir. Sonuç olarak, Cixinin temkinli yaklaşımı Çinin modernleşme sürecini yavaşlatırken, II. Abdülhamitin çabaları da Osmanlının çöküşünü engelleyememiştir. Bu makale, Cixi ve II. Abdülhamitin modernleşme süreçlerindeki liderlik tarzlarının ve kişisel politika tercihlerinin Çin ve Osmanlı İmparatorluğunun tarihsel kaderlerini nasıl etkilediğini incelemektedir.

Article Details

The Role of Rulers in the Modernization of China and the Ottoman Empire: Empress Cixi and Sultan Abdülhamid II

Authors:

Rahman Nurdun

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi

Journal:

Atatürk Yolu Dergisi Issue 75, pp.265-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331383

pISSN:

1303-5290

Sultan Abdülhamid II

Cixi

Modernization

Self-Strenthening MovementII. Sultan Abdülhamid

Cixi

Modernleşme

Kendini Güçlendirme Hareketi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Rahman Nurdun

Publisher: Ankara University

Main Topics: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi

Journal: Atatürk Yolu Dergisi Issue 75, pp.265-282

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 11/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001331383

pISSN: 1303-5290

Issues

Authors:

Rahman Nurdun

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi

Journal:

Atatürk Yolu Dergisi Issue 75, pp.265-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001331383

pISSN:

1303-5290