Ottoman Constructions of the Morea Rebellion, 1770S: a Comprehensive Study of Ottoman Attitudes to the Greek Uprising
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ottoman Constructions of the Morea Rebellion, 1770s: A Comprehensive Study of Ottoman Attitudes to the Greek Uprising by Birol Gundogdu A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto © Birol Gundogdu 2012 Ottoman Constructions of the Morea Rebellion, 1770s: A Comprehensive Study of Ottoman Attitudes to the Greek Uprising Birol Gundogdu Doctor of Philosophy Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto 2012 Abstract The topic of our dissertation concerns the Greek uprisings against the Ottoman Empire, which took place in the context of the Ottoman-Russian struggle of 1768-1774. That is, our research focuses on the Morea Rebellion which is often claimed as not only the first crucial step on the way towards creating an independent Greek state, which came into being in 1829 with the treaty of London, but also occasionally as one of the most significant turning points both for the history of the Ottoman Empire and for the struggle of Greek independence. The meaning of the Morea Rebellion has long been under discussion among Greek historians. While we will deal with Ottoman side of the issue, this study will shed light on matters of Greek historiography which has been generally been created without taking account of the Ottoman side of the story. In the light of Ottoman archival documents as well as writings of earlier, more contemporary sources, we will argue for the complexity and intricacy of the Morea Rebellion, as reflected in the Ottoman documents, many of which have not been used before. We have tested ii the veracity of narratives in contemporary chronicles, many of which have been subsumed into the narratives that are current still, by comparing them in Ottoman archival documents. Accordingly, we have revisited many widely accepted assumptions, such as those describing Ottoman society of the time as being divided into homogenous groups clearly defined religion, nation or other identity. In opposition to the earlier explanations of this uprising, our primary sources lead us to see the Morea Rebellion as predominately an international issue. Our conclusions invalidate the long held assumption that the Ottomans were ignorant of Russian initiatives in the Morea. Last but not least, the Ottoman attitudes towards the rebels as well as Ottoman preoccupation with Russia long after the collapse of the rebellion are considered in greater detail. On balance, we believe that, with the help of a better analysis of the secondary literature and the major new primary sources, we have provided an original and comprehensive story of the Morea Rebellion. iii To Biricik Eşim Birsen Gündoğdu iv Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Virginia H. Aksan for her guidance, encouragements, cogent critiques and suggestions, as well as support on various points throughout the process of the work. She really inspired me with her erudition, vast knowledge in Ottoman history and kind words. Without her guidance and support, this thesis could not be finalized. I am truly blessed to have such a perfect and cheerful supervisor. I am also deeply indebted to Victor Ostapchuk for devoting his very precious time for editing my dissertation and encouraging me to continue my studies in Ottoman history. I also would like to express my gratitude to my professor Ömer Turan at the Middle East Technical University, who has showed the way and who has always supported me during my undergraduate and graduate education, without whose assistance I could not have had a career in history. Not to forget the thanks I owe to my doctoral committee members, Linda Northrup, James Reilly and Robert Zens for their invaluable comments on my thesis draft. Special thanks go to my friends, Murat Yaşar, Sait Ocaklı, Metin Bezikoğlu and Halil Şimşek, without their companionship I could not have put up with the difficulties of life in Canada and without their encouragements the present study could not have been what it is now. I would like to thank Elif Bayraktar, not only for her help to read sources in Greek but also her friendship. A lot much thanks to my graduate administrator, Anna Sousa, for her kindness and consideration, whenever I go to her she always welcomes and supports me. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for the all support and sacrifices. My wife Birsen Gündoğdu deserves special thanks for her unfailing love, support and encouragement throughout our marriage. On the occasions when I felt unable to continue with my studies and felt enormous hardships, she always stood by me and made sure I never gave up. Finally, I would like to express my deep affection for my son Taha Erol and my little daughter Ayten Beyza. Their love provided my inspiration and was always my driving force. I owe all my achievement to them. My deepest gratitude goes to my mother, Zeliha Ayten Gündoğdu, whom I have always longed for since she passed away in 2001 and whom I shall never forget. Anacım seni çok özlüyorum... v Contents Introduction: The Ottoman Presence in the Morea and the Morea Rebellion ................................ 1 The Morea (Mora/Peloponnese) Rebellion in the Ottoman Historiography ............................... 1 The Morea as an Ottoman Province from the Beginning to the Eighteenth Century ................. 2 The Eastern Question and Russian Policy of Southern Advancement ........................................ 8 Friends and Foes in the International Community and the Eastern Question ........................... 12 The Russian Navy Arrives in the Eastern Mediterranean ......................................................... 17 The Morea Rebellion and the Ottoman Response ..................................................................... 20 Analysis of the Morea Rebellion through Ottoman Eyes ......................................................... 22 Filling the Gaps ......................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 1: Ottoman Transition of Power from 1683 until the 1750s: From a Single Sovereignty to Multiple Sovereignties .............................................................................................................. 30 A New Beginning in a Traditional Empire (1683-1699) .......................................................... 31 The Malikane System and Economic Transformation of the Ottoman Empire After 1683 ..... 37 Longing for Past Glories of the Empire and Sultanic Authority in Vain (1699-1730) ............. 49 The Phanariotes and the Emergence of Non-Muslim Elites in the Ottoman Empire ............... 51 New Ottoman Self-confidence and Attempts to Strengthen Sultanic Authority ...................... 57 Ottoman Westernization and New Attempts to Regain Ottoman Prestige in the East ............. 67 Changing of Allegiance: The Sultan, Muslim and Non-Muslim Elites (1730-1750s) .............. 73 International Influence upon the Emergence of non-Muslim Elites ......................................... 79 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 87 Chapter 2: New Ottoman Elites and Possible Causes of an Uprising in the Ottoman Empire, 1750s-1770s .................................................................................................................................. 90 Defining the Borders of Our Study ........................................................................................... 90 General Policies in the Reign of Sultan Mustafa III (1757-1774) ............................................ 92 vi Political and Social Approaches of Mustafa III toward His Subjects in General ..................... 95 Ottoman Economy in the Reign of Mustafa III ....................................................................... 108 The Greeks under Mustafa III ................................................................................................. 115 The Question of Philhellenism ................................................................................................ 120 Cyprus as a Rehearsal for the Morea Rebellion? .................................................................... 123 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 128 Chapter 3: History of Rebellion from Early Historians’ Point of View: A Hybrid of Myths and Facts ............................................................................................................................................ 132 Ottoman Rebellions and Banditry in General from 1500 to 1800 .......................................... 132 The Morea Rebellion According to Early Ottoman Historians ............................................... 149 The Morea Rebellion Through Early European Historians .................................................... 169 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 185 Chapter 4: Pre-Rebellion Conditions in the Morea and Awareness of the Upcoming Rebellion: A Critique of the Early Sources in Light of Ottoman Documents Written Before the Uprising .... 189 The Conditions in the Morea Before the Rebellion ................................................................ 189 The Morea