Comparative development process study of port cities İzmir and Salonica (1650-1750)

The purpose of this doctoral dissertation, which conducts a comparative analysis of the developmental process of coastal towns Izmir and Salonica, is to evaluate phenomena contributed to the progress of these two towns. In accordance with this purpose, the period between 1650 and 1750 is chosen because this period signifies a process with a concentrated capitalist influence on The Ottoman Empire. In addition, evaluating the developmental course of Izmir and Salonica during this period also means dealing with this course?s effect on the Ottoman Empire.As this is a study which is conducted on two towns, the method of this study is Comparative History Method. Through this method, developmental levels of both towns are compared and contrasted by placing emphasis on determining factors in the positions of Izmir and Salonica; that is, both towns are dealt with by adressing differences and similarities between them.Within the specified purpose and method, after the concept of ?urban? and the relatonship between urbanization and capitalism have been dealt with, information is given about East and West towns, general chracteristics of Ottoman Town and economical condition of the period. In the following second and third sections, Izmir and Salonica cities have been studied and each city?s physical, demographical, administrative, economical and social structures have been analysed respectively. The data obtained in this way are compared in the final section and a general evaluation on the cities of Izmir and Salonica is thus carried out.To sum up, judging from the idea that the developments of this period affected the following centuries; this thesis, with its purpose, method and period choice, is aimed to establish an infrastructure for both researchs into town history and studies on the following centuries.Keywords: Ottoman Town, Izmir and Salonica, Research into Towns, Town history, Urbanization and Capitalism