the beginnings of ottoman-german partnership - Bilkent University

Germany in Ottoman debt increased from 7.5 to 15 percent between 1881 and 1898.
And while France accounted for 25.9 per cent and Britain for 16.9 per cent of the
foreign money invested in Turkish enterprise, Germany alone reached 45.4 per
cent. 44 Although it was still not dominant, Germany became one of the biggest
powers shaping the Ottoman economy throughout Hamidian times.
In the diplomatic arena, Abdulhamid’s policy was to secure German support
without allying with it in order to avoid major diplomatic problems with Britain and
to keep Russia neutral. Germany, however, was not content with Abdulhamid’s
neutrality and balance politics. It wanted a more substantial commitment of
cooperation and support from the Sultan. As the two great diplomatic blocs were in
the process of formation at the start of the 20 th century, therefore, Germany tried to
lure the Ottoman Empire into its alliance with Austria-Hungary. Just at this time, the
Committee of Union and Progress was becoming a major threat to the Sultan’s
regime. So, Germany did not want to alienate them in case they managed to replace
the Sultan with their own regime. Germany, therefore, covertly joined Britain and
France in supporting the CUP, which in 1898 encouraged Wilhelm II to help bring
Murad V to the Ottoman throne. 45
Germany continued to assist the Ottoman Empire in international issues and
crises. In 1895, Lord Salisbury became the new British Prime Minister, but he
continued the policy of abandoning the traditional British policy of defending
Ottoman integrity in order to prevent the Middle East from falling under Russian
control. Just at this time, Russian stimulus and encouragement led to the outbreak of
a major Armenian revolt and the spread of Armenian terrorism throughout the
Empire. In reaction, Salisbury told the German Ambassador in London, Hatzfeld that
44 Ortaylı, pp. 42-49, Gottlieb, p.21.
45 Ortaylı, p.56.
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