the beginnings of ottoman-german partnership - Bilkent University

B. Political and Military Relations Between Germany and the Ottoman Empire
During The Reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II
From 1871 to 1890, Bismarck effectively controlled the new German Empire, while
at the same time Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) effectively ruled the Ottoman Empire.
Whereas the brand-new German Empire was an industrialized, strong and coherent
state; the old Ottoman Empire was becoming an increasingly weakened and
internally shattered entity, at best concentrating on keeping its territories away from
several internal and external threats.
Abdulhamid's reign started with the declaration of the first Ottoman
Constitution in 1876 and soon after witnessed a devastating war between the
Ottoman Empire and Russia during 1877-1878. On the other hand, in Western
Europe, Germany defeated France and Austria as part of its effort to unify. After
these 'blood and fire' steps, however, Bismarck preferred to spend Germany's energy
on strengthening its economy and administrative structure, rather than on external
conflicts, such as those involved in the Eastern Question. He was forced to
participate, however, by developments beyond his control. Germany and the other
Great Powers in Western Europe refused to accept the provisions of the Treaty of
San Stefano (1878), which the Ottoman Empire was forced to sign with Russia that
gained considerable territorial concessions as well as political domination within the
Ottoman Empire.
Russia was unprepared to fight a threatened war with the other Great
Powers, so it agreed to participate in the Congress of Berlin, which Bismarck
organized in order to revise those elements of San Stefano that threatened Ottoman
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