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Book/Printed Material What I Know: The Initial Goals and Foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the Catastrophe and Dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire.

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Title

  • What I Know: The Initial Goals and Foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the Catastrophe and Dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire.

Summary

  • Bildiklerim: İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyetinin maksud taʼassus ve surat-i teşkili, ve Devlet-i Aliei Osmaniyenin sebeb felaket ve İnkılabı (What I know: The initial goals and foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the catastrophe and dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire) covers Ottoman political history from the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-76) until 1915. The majority of the work is devoted to political biographies of the sultans, members of the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), other contemporary political figures, and Muslim religious leaders. These biographies often include photographic portraits and examples of their decrees or political essays. Poetry by Mehmet Eşref (1846 or 1847-1912) is featured prominently. The CUP began as a secret society in 1889, one of several organizations known as the Young Turks. It aimed at liberalization of the state, modernization of the administration, and restoration of imperial authority within traditional boundaries. It emerged from the shadows in the early 20th century, often using assassination and intrigue as tools. The party gradually, through elections, intimidation, and force of personality came to rule at a time of political turbulence and the loss of territory in Europe and North Africa. The party eventually brought the empire into World War I on the side of Germany. During the war its leaders were involved in the intense political turmoil of the time, including persecution of minorities, particularly the massacre of Armenians, Turkish nationalism, and pan-Islamic trends. Little is known about the author Mehmed Selahaddin, who says in a note at the end of the work that he observed the war from exile in Cairo. He says he intends to return to Istanbul to write an updated edition. High politics in the imperial capital of Istanbul was not without its echoes in Cairo. Although Ottoman administrative control of Egypt was nil, the sultan retained significant moral authority and political influence in Egyptian politics, especially as a counterweight to British control. Egyptian politicians sought refuge in Istanbul whenever they ran afoul of the local authorities. The Egyptian ruler himself, Abbas Hilmy, took residence there when deposed by the British in 1914. The poet Mehmet Eşref was also a well-known political figure. Around the turn of the 20th century, he became associated with the CUP and was the target of government crackdowns on the movement. He eventually took refuge in Cairo, from where he set off on European travels. After the war, he returned to Turkey where he held several government positions.

Names

  • Eşref, 1846 or 1847-1912 Contributor.
  • Salâhî, Mehmed, 1857-1910 Author.

Created / Published

  • Cairo : Emin Hindiye Printing House, 1918.

Headings

  • -  Iraq
  • -  Israel
  • -  Jordan
  • -  Kuwait
  • -  Lebanon
  • -  Qatar
  • -  Saudi Arabia
  • -  Syrian Arab Republic
  • -  Turkey
  • -  Yemen
  • -  1918
  • -  Biography
  • -  Kings and rulers
  • -  Nation-building
  • -  Nationalism
  • -  Ottoman Empire, 1288-1918
  • -  Political parties
  • -  Politics and government
  • -  Young Turks (Organization)

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 203 pages : illustrations ; 24 centimeters.
  • -  Reference extracted from World Digital Library: Hakan Arslanbenzer, "Șair Eșref: Poet as Political Fighter," Daily Sabah, Arts section (July 11, 2014). https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2014/07/12/sair-esref-poet-as-political-fighter. External
  • -  Original resource at: Middle East Institute.
  • -  Content in Ottoman Turkish (1500-1928).
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021666309

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

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Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Eşref, 1846 Or Contributor, and Mehmed Salâhî. What I Know: The Initial Goals and Foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the Catastrophe and Dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire. Cairo: Emin Hindiye Printing House, 1918. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666309/.

APA citation style:

Eşref, 1. O. C. & Salâhî, M. (1918) What I Know: The Initial Goals and Foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the Catastrophe and Dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire. Cairo: Emin Hindiye Printing House. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666309/.

MLA citation style:

Eşref, 1846 Or Contributor, and Mehmed Salâhî. What I Know: The Initial Goals and Foundation of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the Catastrophe and Dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire. Cairo: Emin Hindiye Printing House, 1918. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021666309/>.