The Process of the Adaptation of European Diplomacy and International Law in the Ottoman Empire: London Conference and Mehmed Shekib Effendi (1840-1841)

Ahmet Dönmez

Article Details

The Process of the Adaptation of European Diplomacy and International Law in the Ottoman Empire: London Conference and Mehmed Shekib Effendi (1840-1841)

Authors:

Ahmet Dönmez

Publisher:

Necmettin Erbakan University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.109-127

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001315004

pISSN:

2667-4076

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Ottoman Empire initiated a process of harmonization with international law and European diplomacy during the reign of Selim III. As of this date, unilateral diplomacy practices began to be abandoned. The Egyptian issue started at the end of 1831 and soon became one of the most important issues of European diplomacy. The Ottoman Empire was on the verge of disintegration after the defeat in the Battle of Nizip in 1839 and the death of the sultan. European states seized this question and convened a conference in London to resolve it. Mehmed Shekib Effendi, who was also appointed as the ambassador to London, was assigned to represent the Ottoman Empire at this conference. Mehmed Shekib Effendi made attempts to resolve the Egyptian question at the conference as promised by the European states and submitted notes. During this process, especially the representatives of England and Austria helped the Ottoman envoy. He received support in matters such as the writing of the notes, how he should act at the conference, the speeches he should make and approval of the protocols. Mehmed Shekib Effendi acted cautiously towards the French and Russian representatives within the framework of the instructions given to him. The Ottoman representative also signed the protocol that emerged at the conference. As a result of the operation organized against Mehmed Ali Pasha, the Governor of Egypt, the Egyptian question was finalized. Afterward, the London Straits Convention was concluded, and the sovereignty of the Straits was put into a status as desired by the European states through an international diplomatic agreement in 1841. In the process, Ottoman diplomacy increasingly adapted to international law and European diplomacy and became a part of the European system.

 Ottoman Empire initiated a process of harmonization with international law and European diplomacy during the reign of Selim III. As of this date, unilateral diplomacy practices began to be abandoned. The Egyptian issue started at the end of 1831 and soon became one of the most important issues of European diplomacy. The Ottoman Empire was on the verge of disintegration after the defeat in the Battle of Nizip in 1839 and the death of the sultan. European states seized this question and convened a conference in London to resolve it. Mehmed Shekib Effendi, who was also appointed as the ambassador to London, was assigned to represent the Ottoman Empire at this conference. Mehmed Shekib Effendi made attempts to resolve the Egyptian question at the conference as promised by the European states and submitted notes. During this process, especially the representatives of England and Austria helped the Ottoman envoy. He received support in matters such as the writing of the notes, how he should act at the conference, the speeches he should make and approval of the protocols. Mehmed Shekib Effendi acted cautiously towards the French and Russian representatives within the framework of the instructions given to him. The Ottoman representative also signed the protocol that emerged at the conference. As a result of the operation organized against Mehmed Ali Pasha, the Governor of Egypt, the Egyptian question was finalized. Afterward, the London Straits Convention was concluded, and the sovereignty of the Straits was put into a status as desired by the European states through an international diplomatic agreement in 1841. In the process, Ottoman diplomacy increasingly adapted to international law and European diplomacy and became a part of the European system.

 Ottoman Empire initiated a process of harmonization with international law and European diplomacy during the reign of Selim III. As of this date, unilateral diplomacy practices began to be abandoned. The Egyptian issue started at the end of 1831 and soon became one of the most important issues of European diplomacy. The Ottoman Empire was on the verge of disintegration after the defeat in the Battle of Nizip in 1839 and the death of the sultan. European states seized this question and convened a conference in London to resolve it. Mehmed Shekib Effendi, who was also appointed as the ambassador to London, was assigned to represent the Ottoman Empire at this conference. Mehmed Shekib Effendi made attempts to resolve the Egyptian question at the conference as promised by the European states and submitted notes. During this process, especially the representatives of England and Austria helped the Ottoman envoy. He received support in matters such as the writing of the notes, how he should act at the conference, the speeches he should make and approval of the protocols. Mehmed Shekib Effendi acted cautiously towards the French and Russian representatives within the framework of the instructions given to him. The Ottoman representative also signed the protocol that emerged at the conference. As a result of the operation organized against Mehmed Ali Pasha, the Governor of Egypt, the Egyptian question was finalized. Afterward, the London Straits Convention was concluded, and the sovereignty of the Straits was put into a status as desired by the European states through an international diplomatic agreement in 1841. In the process, Ottoman diplomacy increasingly adapted to international law and European diplomacy and became a part of the European system.

 Osmanlı Devleti, III. Selim döneminden itibaren uluslararası hukuka ve karşılıklı diplomasiye uyum sürecine girmiştir. Bu tarihten itibaren tek taraflı diplomasi uygulamalarından vazgeçilmeye başlanmıştır. 1831 yılı sonunda ortaya çıkan Mısır meselesi, kısa sürede Avrupa diplomasisinin en önemli problemlerinden biri halini almıştır. Osmanlı Devleti, 1839 yılında Nizip Savaşında alınan yenilgi ve padişahın ölümü ardından parçalanmanın eşiğine gelmiştir. Avrupa devletleri bu meseleye el koymuşlar ve konuyu çözümlemek için Londrada bir konferans düzenlemişlerdir. Bu konferansta, Osmanlıyı temsil etmek üzere aynı zamanda Londra elçiliğine tayin edilen Mehmed Şekib Efendi görevlendirilmiştir. Mehmed Şekib Efendi, konferansta Mısır meselesinin Avrupa devletlerin söz verdiği şekilde çözümü için girişimler yaparak notalar vermiştir. Bu sırada Osmanlı elçisi, özellikle İngiltere ve Avusturya temsilcilerinin yardımını görmüştür. Notaların yazımı, konferansta nasıl hareket etmesi gerektiği, yapması gereken konuşmalar, protokollerin onaylanması gibi konularda onlardan destek almıştır. Mehmed Şekib Efendi, Fransa ve Rusya temsilcilerine karşı ise kendisine verilen talimatlar çerçevesinde temkinli davranmıştır. Konferansta ortaya çıkan protokole Osmanlı temsilcisi de imza atmıştır. Mısır Valisi Mehmed Ali Paşaya karşı düzenlenen operasyon sonucunda Mısır meselesi sonuçlandırılmıştır. Ardından 1841 yılında Londra Boğazlar Sözleşmesi yapılarak Boğazların egemenliği uluslararası bir anlaşmayla Avrupa devletlerinin istediği şekilde yeni bir statüye konulmuştur. Bu süreçte Osmanlı diplomasisi giderek artan bir şekilde uluslararası hukuka ve Avrupa diplomasisine adapte olmuş ve Avrupa sisteminin bir parçası haline gelmiştir.

Article Details

The Process of the Adaptation of European Diplomacy and International Law in the Ottoman Empire: London Conference and Mehmed Shekib Effendi (1840-1841)

Authors:

Ahmet Dönmez

Publisher:

Necmettin Erbakan University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.109-127

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001315004

pISSN:

2667-4076

Mehmed Shekib Effendi

Mahmud II

London Conference

London Straits Convention

Egyptian QuestionMehmed Şekib Efendi

II. Mahmud

Londra Konferansı

Londra Boğazlar Sözleşmesi

Mısır Meselesi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ahmet Dönmez

Publisher: Necmettin Erbakan University

Main Topics: Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal: Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.109-127

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001315004

pISSN: 2667-4076

Issues

Authors:

Ahmet Dönmez

Publisher:

Necmettin Erbakan University

Main Topics:

Hukuk (Diğer)

Journal:

Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.7 Issue 1, pp.109-127

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001315004

pISSN:

2667-4076