The Evolution Of The Relationship Between The Ottoman Empire And Germany During The First World War

When the late Ottoman empire entered the stage of salvation,it was inevitable to turn to the European powers for help and support in the trouble situation.However,Britain has been reluctant to continue to put a lot of effort into the Ottoman empire,and the two sides stop trusting each other.At the same time,the Ottoman empire’s dependence on France was waning,while the threat of northern Russia was increasing.So,before World War Ⅰ,the Ottoman empire had painted itself into a diplomatic corner.Faced with the vagaries of relations with "civilized nations",the Ottoman Empire,on the one hand,carried out modernization reforms and,on the other hand,tried to capture any reliable ally until Germany emerged.The establishment of the German Empire,which had experienced revolution and war and had the strongest military power on the European continent,moreover,the economy had been modernized in a extraordinary speed,which had brought about a major change in the international political landscape and succeeded in becoming a world power.Turkey’s army,which had been defeated many times in the war,exulted and admired Germany’s military capabilities,and it was more likely to be favoured by the Turkish government than by Britain,France and Russia,which had no apparent colonial intentions towards the Ottoman empire.Thus,under prudent foreign policy,the Ottoman Empire abandoned its traditional partnership with France and Britain and opted for a "common destiny”with Germany.This thesis consists of four parts:The first part:Comment on the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany before World War I.Analyzes the diplomatic predicament and transformation of the late Ottoman Empire,and Germany’s Middle East policy.Reviewed in details that the Ottoman empire and Germany were closely associated with the economic,military and political aspects before the World War Ⅰ.Highlight the possibilities of the alliance between Ottoman empire and the Germany.The second part:Expound the specific alliance between the Ottoman empire and Germany,as well as the public engagement of the Ottoman empire.In the first world war,the alliance between the two was not necessarily,both sides before the choice of alliance show hesitation and hesitation posture.Yet on August 2nd 1914,after a secret alliance with Germany,the Turks,still trying to maintain their military and political independence,refused to go to war and were urged repeatedly by the Germans.When Germanophile such as Enver prevailed,the Ottoman Empire eventually chose to join the European war.The third part:Choosing the typical case of the cooperation between the Ottoman Empire and Germany in the first world war-the propaganda of "jihad",and to discuss it.Ottoman-Germany with the intention of triggering a coalition colonial Muslim mass uprising,add leverage to win the war.The result,though,was unsuccessful,posed a certain threat to the allies.This chapter covers the propaganda goals,"jihad" tactics,propaganda organizations,propaganda activities,target groups,focusing on the analysis of the propaganda results and influence.The fourth part:Discussion about the end of the First World War and the collapse of the relationship with the Ottoman-Germany alliance.Under the influence of the "jihad" propaganda,the Ottoman-Germany military cooperated with each other in the Gallipoli campaign,which further consolidated the alliance,Germany also wanted to control the Ottoman army.Then from the perspective of Enver’s control of military power,elaborated that the strategic dissensions between the representatives of Ottoman and Germany,not only caused pressure on the alliance but reflected the independence and sovereignty of the Ottoman leaders.This is also showed in the economics of the Ottoman Empire,and Germany was not be able to play alone in the Ottoman Empire ultimately.The situation of the Allies deteriorated in the second half of the War,and the Ottoman Empire suffered a great loss,the alliance relationship struggled to the end of the war.Epilogue part summarizing the characteristics of the evolution of the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany during World War Ⅰ,and to further expound that,concluding that the Ottoman Empire was not a German "satellite".At the end,based on the summary of the predecessors,the dissertation evaluated and analyze objectively the alliance of Ottoman-Germany and collapse of the Ottoman Empire,and explore the root causes of the turmoil in the Middle East today.