Perception of Europe and European History in Ahmed Cevdet Pasha's works

Ahmed Cevdet Pasha, who has big part in political, cultural and intellectual life in Tanzimat reform era of the Ottoman Empires, informs us about Europe as well as the Ottoman Empires and Islamic world. Europe, especially in the historical works as a whole, is established itself as both political and cultural. Pasha, who is seemed as ultra-traiditional by some of the circles living at the same period, has opinions about Europe and those opinions have importance due to that reason that he has been one of the official historiography French Revolution is the basis idea for Pasha's perception of Europe. Therefore, he views the European historical process leading to the revolution from the beginning of the primary formation of European States. He explains how social and political corporations of Europe have changed in the course of time. It is claimed by Pasha that Europe gets behind from the Islamic World until the Crusades; he finds the origins of Europe in the East. He points out the Crusades within that context. He takes a dim view of stream of thoughts, which provides improvement for Europe in 19th century as Communism, Socialism, Nihilism and etc, as much as French Revolution and republic concept. Changing, conversion and development processes of political, socio-cultural and military areas of Europe as from Antiquity are discussed in that study based on his works. In addition, this project gives information to us about life, works and historiography of Cevdet Pasha. This project is divided into sections for the purposes of the study and it is examined in two parts as the French Revolution and political situation in Europe, on the other hand, socio-cultural and military issues are discussed in a different section. Key Words: Ahmed Cevdet Pasha, European History, French Revolution, Tarih-i Cevdet