Turkish modernization under Abdulhamid II

This study, which is about Turkish modernization in the era of Abdul Hamid II, aimsto comparatively analyze the activities of Abdul Hamid II -the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire- in there alms of education in particular, as well as social security, industry, finance, communication and transportation, and law from the point of view of modernization. Modernization under Abdul Hamid II, taking a negative stand against cuıltural Westernization yet supporting modernization of civilization scientifically, technologically, and economically, constitutesone of the most profound examples of Ottoman-Turkish modernization. It may be convenient to call such modernization as conservative modernization. So far, research in Abdul Hamid II era have either been classical historical studies aiming to collectin formation or political ones that view this period as an example of anti-modernization based on the view that it did not include Westernization in there alms of ideology or culture. What distinguishes this study from other sand makes it unique is that it views Abdul Hamid II era as an example of alternative modernization in the model of conservative modernization. The hypothesis put forward here is tested through review of relevant literature on the subject. However, this study also has a descriptive nature in terms of the extensive body of literature it provides. The data are reviewed from a critical perspective.