Ottoman Empire Arabs

A lot of Turks today express their displeasure about Ottoman Empire Arabs because they believe that the Arabs "betrayed" the Ottoman Empire. But this is a point of view I really do not endorse for every person - irrespective of their race- has a right to freedom.

The Ottoman Empire Arabs were experiencing interference from the government in every portion of their life - every part of their lives was ruled by the prevailing government and they were sick and tired of this dictatorship as a result of which Arab nationalism was born.

The Beginnings of a Revolt

So how did it all happen? Why did it all start? Right from the 1800s and up to the early 1900s, Sultan Hamid II became greedy for power. He began to ruthlessly consolidate his Empire and at the same time increase his control over his subjects. The bureaucracy of the Government spread its wings and then finally gained control over every part of society. This did not go down very well with the Ottoman Empire Arabs.

The European powers took advantage of this situation in the Ottoman Empire and began to increase their influence over it. As a result of this, the system of governance shifted from a traditional Arab legal system to a more Westernized one as a result of which there was a big increase in European "investment".

It is because of this that several political and cultural movements started in the Ottoman Empire, spearheaded by prominent Ottoman Empire Arabs during the late 1800s. Arabs began to demand decentralization and wanted to carve an identity of their own.

They began to express their frustration and disappointment in every sphere of society. Ottoman Empire Arabs who were a part of the predominantly Turkish parliament began to express their displeasure at the government's expansion policies.

European Intervention

And finally, their prayers were answered in the form of British forces, who overthrew the four hundred year old Ottoman regime. Unfortunately however, the British and French forces drew up a treaty and divided the Middle Eastern region among themselves. And then came World War I, where there was a bargain between the Arabs and the British, where they pleaded for their independence in return for a revolt against the Turks.

Though this agreement ended bitterly for the Arabs, prominent Arab nationalists managed to carve an identity for the Arabs. Finally boundary lines were drawn up and Arab nations were created. It seemed that the Ottoman Empire Arabs' wish had been granted at last.