3.1 The Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I

The Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I marked a pivotal moment in its history. Aligned with Germany, the empire faced major challenges as it fought on multiple fronts against Allied powers. This decision would ultimately lead to its downfall.

The war exposed the empire's weaknesses and accelerated its decline. From the Gallipoli Campaign to the Arab Revolt, the Ottomans struggled to maintain control over their vast territories, setting the stage for the empire's eventual collapse and reshaping of the Middle East.

Ottoman Leadership and Alliances

Key Political Figures and Movements

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• Mehmed V reigned as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1909 to 1918 served as a figurehead while real power rested with the Committee of Union and Progress
• Committee of Union and Progress emerged as the dominant political force in the Ottoman Empire after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution advocated for constitutional monarchy and modernization
• Young Turks consisted of reform-minded military officers and intellectuals who sought to modernize the Ottoman Empire and restore its power
• Enver Pasha rose to prominence as one of the leaders of the Young Turk movement became Minister of War in 1914 and played a crucial role in aligning the Ottoman Empire with Germany

Strategic Alliances and Diplomatic Positioning

• Ottoman-German Alliance formalized in August 1914 marked the Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I on the side of the Central Powers
• Triple Alliance originally comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (later replaced by the Ottoman Empire) formed the core of the Central Powers during World War I

Ottoman Empire in World War I

Major Military Campaigns and Strategies

• Gallipoli Campaign lasted from February 1915 to January 1916 resulted in a significant Ottoman victory against Allied forces attempting to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula
• Dardanelles Strait served as a strategic waterway connecting the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea became the focus of intense fighting during the Gallipoli Campaign
• Jihad proclamation issued by Sultan Mehmed V in November 1914 called on Muslims worldwide to support the Ottoman war effort against the Allied powers

Ideological and Religious Factors

• Pan-Islamism promoted by Ottoman leaders aimed to unite Muslims across different nations under Ottoman leadership used as a tool to garner support during World War I

Ottoman Challenges and Concessions

Economic and Diplomatic Pressures

• Capitulations referred to a system of extraterritorial privileges granted to European powers in the Ottoman Empire included exemptions from local laws and taxes severely limited Ottoman sovereignty
• Balkan Wars fought in 1912-1913 resulted in significant territorial losses for the Ottoman Empire in southeastern Europe weakened the empire's position on the eve of World War I