The impact of regime shifts on educational curricula (1869–1922)

This dissertation scrutinizes the influence of ruling powers on the curricula developed for modern educational institutions in the Ottoman Empire between 1869 and 1922. Curricula are not merely didactic tools but also strategic apparatuses utilized by political authorities to transmit their official ideologies to society. In this context, variations in the programs are observed based on the ideological perspectives prevalent during three distinct periods: the era from the declaration of the 1869 General Education Regulation (Maarif-i Umumiye Nizamnamesi) until the accession of Abdülhamid II in 1876; the reign of Abdülhamid II; and the period dominated by the Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti). In addition to the differences stemming from ideological shifts, a transformation in the pedagogical sphere also took place in the curricula. Indicators of this transformation include, notably, the simplification of language, the increased prominence of Turkish in education, a move away from rote learning methods, and the inclusion of practical courses in the curriculum. Furthermore, the central authority's tight control over the implementation of the curricula and the sanctions applied in case of non-compliance demonstrate the evolution of the education system into a centralist structure designed to serve political objectives. In this regard, education aimed not only at the transfer of knowledge but also at cultivating the desired type of citizen. The analysis of the curricula clearly reveals how education was utilized as a tool for "social engineering" and how political changes were directly reflected in this domain. By emphasizing that the education system in the Ottoman Empire was integral to the empire's struggle for survival and the process of nation-state building, this dissertation aims to fill a significant gap in the existing literature. Keywords: Education, curriculum, political power, pedagogical approaches, Abdülhamid II, İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti