The "Ottomanism" thought as an alternative to nationalism

The increasing and expansion of the nationalism in 19th century caused lots of important and exterior developments in the Ottoman Empire. As a result of the French Revolution of 1789, its concepts such as freedom, equality and fraternity spread all over the Europe and these influenced the Ottoman society after the other empires which were containing many other ethnic groups. As nationalism developed the empires began to lose their unities.The Ottoman Empire tried to resist this nationalist rebellion by putting a modernization program into practice. This period started with ?Tanzimat Fermanı? and continued with the opening of Meclisi- Mebusan of the Ottoman Empire?. The Assembly of the Ottoman Empire made possible for different ethnic groups and religious sects to be represented in the goverment. So the negative impact of nationalism was wanted to be prevented with the thought of Ottomanism.To form an Ottoman-consciousnes were some organizations made by the Ottoman goverment. Not only equality of people were provided but also some refoms were create in educational and govermental system. It was reminded to all the Ottoman subjects that they should feel as ?Ottoman? first of all. At the new mixed education institutions the right of the representation were given to different religous groups and religious sects on the First Ottoman Constitution (Kanun-i Esasi). So it was reminded to diffrent ethnic and religious groups that they got the equal rights and responsibilities like all the other Ottoman subjects. The unnecessity of the nationalism trend were inspired into them. There was a clear definition of Ottomanism in the First Constitution of the Ottoman Empire which came into force in 1876. According to this description the Ottoman Society was formed by equal people (members). So an identity description was made above all the ethnic and religious groups as a form of Ottoman.However, despite of all the efforts, Ottomanism politics were not concluded in a desired way as a result of nationalism. Because nationalism was accepted as a sacret value. During the same century the nations who were the parts of the Ottoman Empire declared their independence inspite of the idea of Ottomanism.This thesis consists of three sections, except the introduction and conclusion. In the first section ?The Idea of Ottomanism in Tanzimat and Islahat Period? has been analyzed in the Ottoman Empire. In the second section the practical reforms and organizations in the Ottoman Empire according to the idea of Ottomanism have been considered and in the third section the idea of Ottomanism after the period of the Second Constitutional Period has been evaluated.Key Words: Nationalism, Ottomanism, Ottoman Empire, French Revolution, Ottoman thought in late Ottoman Empire